Communication Skills In Business
Communication Skills in Business
In business, you need to use language effectively in order to give proper feedback.
Look at the diagram below and you will see why feedback is an important concept in professional and business communication.
Feedback is the communication of information that relates to a person's recent actions to the goal.
Feedback tells a person whether their recent actions are taking them closer towards their goals, or NOT.
Your goal is to communicate proper feedback.
Feedback comes in three forms:
- Constructive criticism.
- Destructive criticism.
- Appreciation and praise.
1. Constructive criticism
At times, we all need to receive constructive criticism - Since nobody's perfect!
Therefore, managers should know how to communicate criticism in a constructive manner.
We need managers to communicate any criticism in a constructive manner which will inspire and will give confidence to the receiver.
Failure to give constructive criticism is a common communication error.
Some managers give destructive criticism.
2. Destructive criticism
This is what we do NOT want. It is easy for negative feedback to deteriorate into destructive criticism.
Destructive criticism leads to bad feelings, broken relationships and a reduction in performance.
One of your main aims should be to note the difference between constructive and destructive criticism (feedback) and to perfect your skills in communicating constructively.
3. Positive feedback: Appreciation, praise and thanks
Managers need to give proper appreciation, praise and thanks.
Always remember the power of a few kind words.
Failure to communicate appreciation and praise is a common communication error.
Remember, the lack of appreciation is sometimes the cause of conflict.
One of your main aims in life should be to harness the power of a few kind words.
Definition: feedback
In business communication, feedback is a communication process that 1) reports how a person’s recent actions match an agreed goal, 2) arrives soon after the action, 3) states clear, specific facts, and 4) guides future action by reinforcing or correcting behaviour.
Show CG4D Definition
- reports how recent actions match an agreed goal
- arrives soon after the action
- states clear, specific facts
- guides future action by reinforcing or correcting behaviour
Article Summary
In business, every message counts, so give feedback that helps; link it to the goal, state facts, suggest fixes, avoid blame, and add true praise. This simple mix turns errors into learning, lifts mood and pushes results upward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What does constructive criticism mean in business communication?
How can I avoid giving destructive criticism at work?
Why is timely feedback important for hitting goals?
When should a manager give positive feedback or praise?
What is the key difference between constructive and destructive criticism?
Can lack of appreciation at work lead to conflict?
What common mistakes do managers make when giving feedback?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace report shows staff who get useful feedback each week are 3.2 times more likely to feel engaged at work. Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index found 69% of workers say they would work harder if their manager simply thanked them for good work.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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