What are the best ways to demonstrate your communication skills in a non-client facing role?

1 Understand your audience

One of the key aspects of communication is to know who you are communicating with and what they need from you. Different audiences may have different preferences, expectations, and levels of knowledge. For example, if you are presenting a technical report to a non-technical manager, you may need to simplify your language, use visuals, and highlight the main points. On the other hand, if you are discussing a project with your peers, you may need to use more details, jargon, and feedback. To understand your audience, you can do some research, ask questions, and listen actively.

2 Choose the right channel

Another important factor in communication is to choose the right channel for your message. Depending on the situation, you may need to use different modes of communication, such as email, phone, video call, chat, or face-to-face meeting. Each channel has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you need to consider them carefully. For example, email is good for sending formal, written, and clear messages, but it can also be impersonal, delayed, and misunderstood. Phone or video call is good for having a conversation, building rapport, and clarifying doubts, but it can also be distracting, inconvenient, and unreliable. Chat is good for quick, informal, and collaborative communication, but it can also be overwhelming, intrusive, and unprofessional. Face-to-face meeting is good for establishing trust, resolving conflicts, and making decisions, but it can also be time-consuming, costly, and impractical.

3 Be clear and concise

One of the most common communication problems is to be unclear or verbose. This can lead to confusion, misunderstanding, or boredom among your audience. To avoid this, you need to be clear and concise in your communication. This means that you need to have a clear purpose, structure, and tone for your message. You also need to use simple, precise, and relevant language. You should avoid jargon, slang, or acronyms that your audience may not understand. You should also avoid unnecessary words, repetitions, or filler words that may dilute your message. Finally, you should proofread and edit your message before sending or delivering it.

4 Show empathy and respect

Another essential communication skill is to show empathy and respect for your audience. Empathy means that you try to understand their feelings, needs, and perspectives. Respect means that you treat them with courtesy, professionalism, and appreciation. Showing empathy and respect can help you build rapport, trust, and loyalty with your audience. It can also help you avoid or resolve conflicts, handle criticism, and negotiate better outcomes. To show empathy and respect, you need to use positive and polite language, listen attentively, acknowledge their views, and express your gratitude.

5 Ask for and give feedback

One of the best ways to improve your communication skills is to ask for and give feedback. Feedback is a valuable source of information that can help you learn from your mistakes, identify your strengths, and enhance your performance. Asking for feedback shows that you are open to learning, improving, and growing. Giving feedback shows that you care about your audience, their work, and their success. To ask for and give feedback, you need to be specific, timely, constructive, and balanced. You also need to be receptive, respectful, and appreciative of the feedback you receive or give.

6 Adapt and improve

The final communication skill that we will discuss is to adapt and improve. Communication is not a static or one-time activity, but a dynamic and ongoing process. You need to constantly monitor, evaluate, and adjust your communication according to the situation, the audience, and the feedback. You also need to seek opportunities to learn new skills, tools, and techniques that can enhance your communication. By adapting and improving your communication, you can demonstrate your professionalism, creativity, and flexibility. You can also increase your confidence, credibility, and influence.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?