By Tina Huynh (August 31 2012)

The workplace may be an area of successful communication between employers and employees. At times though, communication may be hindered by certain aspects like disagreement, the lack of understanding and personal styles of communication.

Being an employee, like most of you may be, communicating with your employers can be difficult. To overcome miscommunication and to become a better communicator, I have outlined 5 tips as below:

1. Get straight to the point:

Talking around what you want to say may prove difficult. Be mindful that when you do say what you want, try not to sound so demanding.

2. Listen attentively and look at body language:

As your employer(s) have things to say, make sure you listen carefully. This shows that you’re are a good listener and as an employee, you value what your employer has to say. Look out for body language cues too, as they may help you understand and promote better communication.

3. Take feedback as a positive tool:

When your employer is giving you feedback, whether it be good or bad, take it in a positive direction. From this, you could ask for more guidance or explanation in the way your employer wants work done.

4. Offer alternatives in times of disagreement:

If there is an issue that bothers you, offer an alternative that your employer has yet to take. Be self-confident and make sure you have a valid reason to back your proposition. For example, you could say to your employer: “It’s not that I don’t like what you have set, but maybe it will be more useful to do _________ because _______”.

5. Consult your employer as soon as an issue arises:

Seek help or comment from your employer(s) as soon as possible. This may prevent misunderstanding in the future. And do note that outside of work hours, it may be best to email or make a phone call instead of texting. Texting may be seen as an informal method of communication despite its convenience.