Reward
Don’t make any assumptions Assumptions are formed when information is incomplete. It lacks evidence or facts, and it’s quite easy to form assumptions if you don’t ask the right questions. So, before you start, group your initial thoughts as fact or fiction. The more questions you ask, the less assumptions you’re likely to make. Listen with empathy Empathic listening is the practice of being attentive and responsive to others during a conversation. By listening with empathy, you can make an emotional connection with the other person and provide a more heartfelt, personal response. Learn to truly understand their emotions and perspectives. Think before you speak A person’s choice of words and tone reveal a lot about them, so it’s important to prepare before speaking. Effective conversations are possible with advanced planning, preparation, and the formulation of what you want to say, and what you want to get out of the conversation. Why not try the THANKS technique for improving your communication by thinking before you speak? To put it simply, what you say should be True, Helpful, Affirming, Necessary, Kind and Sincere.
Even if you did have some face-to-face meetings, we soon realised how much we rely on reading people’s lips as they speak to us, or even how much mouths help in recognising people. Recently, I was approached by someone I hadn’t seen for over 15 years, we shook hands and said hello, but it wasn’t until he removed his mask, I realised who I was talking to. Covid-19 has completely changed the workplace climate and significantly affected the way we communicate, not least for the payroll department. As the pandemic unfolded, payroll departments found themselves at the forefront of managing a crisis. Communicating with employees became essential with new legislation to implement, changes to shift patterns, managing layoffs and more. So, what next? The working from home trend isn’t likely to end soon and, as it does, what can we learn from the last couple of years? Payroll departments were classified as key workers and it’s important the role of the payroll professional continues and thrives in the post-pandemic environment. So, how can we be effective in our communication? What’s the journey of ‘next generation’ communications and how can we, as payrollers, improve our communications? Be clear and concise while communicating When communicating, be clear about the objective and purpose of your message. Make sure your message is easily understood by keeping it succinct. People prefer short, sharp messages, so stick to the point and be clear about your intentions. Don’t let them rely on assumptions to work out your message. Only when your message is clear will the receiver have a clear picture of what’s being expressed, so they can act and respond accordingly.
at work. Body language is usually used to convey positive feelings, even when you’re not actually experiencing them. You can master the art of non-verbal communication by adopting a positive body language and maintaining a proper posture to signal confidence. When communicating, be clear about the objective and purpose of your message So, what next? As we get ready to launch back into face- to-face meetings, now is the time to start brushing up on your communication skills. Remember, those who can communicate effectively with clear direction can help to deliver high-quality results. And by communicating effectively, you can build strong relationships with your colleagues and superiors. Working together as a team will ensure cohesion and long-term success. Not only will you be able to enjoy your work, but also to strive for better work performance. To close, remember it’s important to understand communication is only effective if the receiver understands the message: On my first visit to the United States, I ordered an entrée, and the waiter asked if I wanted ‘super salad.’ I said ‘yes’. He then asked again, ‘super salad?’ And, again, I said ‘yes!’. He sighed and then asked ‘sir, do you want salad, or soup?’ Happy communicating. n
Learn the basics of non- verbal communication
It’s said that non-verbal communication accounts for 55% of how an audience perceives a presenter. That means most communication is not through words, but through physical cues. Developing the ability to understand and use non-verbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you mean and build better relationships at home and
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 78 | March 2022
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