Building Confidence in Australian Workplaces: Transform Your Workplace Communication with These 4 Skills! ??

If you’re a migrant working in Australia, understanding how to communicate effectively can make a big difference in how confident you feel at work.

It’s important to understand that speaking English and communicating well are not the same thing. Even if you have a good level of English, your communication skills are what help you connect with others, express yourself clearly, and build relationships at work.

Communication skills go beyond just language; they include active listening, tone of voice, reflective phrases, and positive language. These are the tools that help you succeed in any workplace, especially in Australia, where culture and expectations can be different from what you're used to at home. Building these skills will give you confidence, help you avoid misunderstandings, and ensure that your voice is heard.

That’s why we created the Australian Workplace Communication Challenge on Instagram.

This 10-part challenge helps you learn easy ways to feel more confident in your communication at work.

Here’s a look at what we’ve covered so far in the first 4 videos:

Day 1: Reflective Phrases – Helping You Engage in Conversations

Sometimes, it can be hard to know what to say in a conversation, especially when English isn’t your first language. Reflective phrases are a great way to show that you’re listening and that you understand what someone is saying.

What are Reflective Phrases? Reflective phrases are simple statements you can use to show that you are listening and paying attention. They can help you feel more connected in conversations, even when you don’t know exactly what to say.

Examples of Reflective Phrases:

• "It seems like you’ve been working really hard on this."
• "I understand why that would be difficult."
• "I can see why this is important to you."

Why This Matters: Using reflective phrases helps show that you care and are engaged in the conversation. This can help you build trust with your colleagues and feel more confident when speaking.

Check out the video on Instagram to see these phrases in action.

Do you want more reflective phrases for work? Here is a longer list that you can save

In Meetings:

• "So, if I understand correctly…"
• "Let me make sure I’m following you…"
• "It sounds like you’re suggesting that…"
• "What I’m hearing is that you’re concerned about…"
• "Just to clarify, you’re saying…"

For Small Talk:

• "That must have been interesting. How did you feel about it?"
• "It sounds like you had a busy weekend!"
• "So, what you're saying is you really enjoyed that?"
• "That’s great to hear! Tell me more about…"
• "If I’m hearing you right, you’re saying…"

During Problem Solving or Feedback:

• "It seems like what’s important to you is…"
• "What I’m getting from this is…"
• "So, your main point is…"
• "From what I understand, the challenge is…"
• "It sounds like the goal is to…"

Day 2: Tone – How You Say It Matters

In Australian workplaces, tone is just as important as the words you use. How you say something can make your message sound friendly, confident, or uncertain.

What is Tone? Tone is the emotion and attitude you express when speaking. It’s not just the words you choose, but how you deliver them.

Tips for Using the Right Tone:

• Smile when you speak to sound more friendly and confident.
• Keep your tone calm and steady during stressful situations.
• Show excitement when discussing positive things at work.

Why This Matters: Your tone can help you connect with others and make your message clearer. Using the right tone helps you avoid misunderstandings and makes your communication more effective in the workplace.

Here are some tips to help you understand and improve your tone:

?Record yourself speaking.

?Practice with native speakers.

?Use a mirror to observe your expressions.

?Focus on the emotion you want to convey.

?Adjust your volume and pace.

?Use reflective phrases like "I see what you mean."

?Observe how colleagues speak.

?Ask for feedback.

?Practice mindfulness to stay calm and clear

Watch the Instagram video for practical tips on using tone in different situations.

Day 3: Using Positive Language to Handle Difficult Conversations

Sometimes, conversations at work can be tough, especially if you’re not sure what to say. Positive language can help you stay confident and keep things moving forward, even in difficult situations.

What is Positive Language? Positive language means focusing on what can be done rather than what can’t. It’s about being hopeful and finding solutions.

Examples of Positive Language:

• Negative: "This is too hard."
• Positive: "This is a challenge, but I’m ready to work through it."
• Negative: "I can’t do this."
• Positive: "I’ll find a way to get it done."

Why This Matters: Using positive language helps you sound more confident and capable. It also encourages others to see you as a problem-solver, which can help you build stronger relationships at work.

Examples of Positive vs. Negative Language in the Workplace

1. When Assigning Tasks:

• Negative Language: "I need this done by 5 PM or we’ll be behind."
• Positive Language: "Let’s aim to get this done by 5 PM to stay on track."

2. When Giving Feedback:

• Negative Language: "This report is full of mistakes."
• Positive Language: "This report has great insights. Let’s go over a few details to make it even better."

3. When Discussing Challenges:

• Negative Language: "This is too complicated; it will never work."
• Positive Language: "This is challenging, but I believe we can find a solution together."

4. When Addressing Performance Issues:

• Negative Language: "You didn’t meet the target again."
• Positive Language: "Let’s look at what we can do differently to help you meet the target next time."

5. When Responding to Mistakes:

• Negative Language: "You always make errors like this."
• Positive Language: "Mistakes happen; let’s see what we can learn from this."

6. When Offering Help:

• Negative Language: "You should have asked for help sooner."
• Positive Language: "I’m here to help anytime you need it; don’t hesitate to reach out."

7. When Setting Expectations:

• Negative Language: "I’m not sure if you can handle this."
• Positive Language: "I believe you’ve got the skills to handle this; let me know if you need support."

8. When Motivating the Team:

• Negative Language: "If we don’t get this done, we’ll be in trouble."
• Positive Language: "If we get this done, we’ll be in a great position moving forward."

Check out the Instagram video for more examples of positive language at work.

Day 4: Paraphrasing – A Simple Way to Show You’re Listening

Active listening is a key skill in the Australian communication style, and paraphrasing is an easy way to show that you’re really paying attention to what someone is saying.

What is Paraphrasing? Paraphrasing is when you repeat what someone has said in your own words to make sure you understood correctly.

Examples of Paraphrasing:

• "So, you’re saying that…"
• "Just to make sure I understand, you mean…"

Why This Matters: Paraphrasing shows that you care about what the other person is saying and want to avoid misunderstandings. It helps you connect better and makes sure everyone is on the same page.

Client Success Story: One of my clients, a migrant worker, used to feel left out in meetings because she wasn’t sure how to respond. After practicing paraphrasing, she felt more confident and noticed her colleagues started including her in more discussions. It made a big difference in how she felt at work.

Watch the Instagram video to see how paraphrasing works in real conversations.

Building communication skills is an important step for success in the Australian workplace. It’s not just about speaking English correctly, but about engaging with others, listening carefully, and using positive language to build stronger connections.

These skills can help you feel more confident and improve your relationships at work. Whether you’re in a meeting, giving feedback, or just having a conversation, effective communication can make a big difference in how you work with others.

I will be back on Monday with part 5 of the Australian Workplace Communication Challenge, so if we aren't already connected on Instagram, make sure you click here to connect.