5 Effective Communication Skills for Project Managers

It is known that communication is the key in all that project managers undertake on their daily basis. Effective communications are therefore important throughout the projects. Here are 5 tips for effective communication on projects that will help enhance your communication in every stage of project management  

Active listening

The message receiver should confirm the understanding through questions; feedback prompts for clarity or other significant signs of confirmation. There should be no interruption but listen attentively and asking questions where necessary to benefit the parties involved. This process aids in getting the listeners open up, and any conflict or misunderstanding can be amicably solved.

Non-verbal communication

According to the project management institute, only seven percent of project management communication is verbal. 38% is normally conveyed through voice quality such as volume, tone, pitch, and speed. About 55% is through movement, posture, facial expression, gestures, skin-color changes, and breathing.

Friendliness, Trust, and Respect

Use of smile or a friendly tone will enable you to give an encouragement to project team simply to engage in collaborative and an open communication process with you. Respect and trust are the basis of the personal relationship. They are normally earned but not a right, and they do come from an experience of our expertise, integrity, and honesty. Many people will obviously be open to making communication with you in a case where you convey respect them and most importantly their ideas.

Open-mindedness

Any project communicator should always enter any meeting or conversation with an open mind, flexible, ready to listen attentively and understand the other person’s point of view but not just getting the point across. Be always willing and ready to engage in a conversation or a meeting, even in a situation with different in option, resulting in more productive and honest conversations or a meeting.

Feedback and collaboration

Team members encourage and support each other but not focusing solely on their responsibilities and task in a collaborative environment. They are willing to share ideas, information, and assets to help each other, collaborate and cooperate to achieve and reach the end goal. A constructive atmosphere is therefore created by this collaborative environment which will enable receiving and giving feedback which is a vital communication skill for project managers. Feedback may be negative, neutral, or positive, indicating the receptivity of the receiver or sender.

Further to effective communicate follow up with my next blog on Intelligent Communication with Microsoft Teams