We all want to enjoy being at work and it is unavoidable that the the people we work with are going to have a huge effect on how we feel about our workplace, whether that is positive or negative. 

We must think about this from two sides. Firstly, we must ensure that we are presenting ourselves in a positive manner and doing what we can to ensure that we are not doing anything that would cause another worker to have a bad experience in the workplace. Secondly, we must try to develop and foster postive collegial work relationship so that we can feel part of the community while also building the trust needed to ask for and offer help.

If you endeavour to be positive and build positive relationships then you have a greater chance of having a postivie work environment.

Effective communication is considered to be the sharing of information, ideas and opinions among participants in the process, involving an exchange between people.

This two way communication process occurs when the sender is able to obtain feedback concerning how the receiver is decoding the sender’s message.

Asking a few questions to confirm the receiver’s understanding or asking them to do something or to demonstrate their understanding would provide this feedback.

In communicating we go through many of the following cycles of cummunication:

• Sender (code)

• Message (encoding)

• Transmission

• Receiver (decoded message and interprets meaning)

• Feedback

Watch the video (left) to find out more about how this cycle works.

Effective verbal communication techniques include:

• use of appropriate language

• clear voice

• audible volume

• courteous tone

• active listening

• asking questions or rephrasing to clarify or confirm understanding

Watch the video 'active listening' for further discussion on the importance of this technique when communicating.

An extremely high percentage of information we communicate is through nonverbal signals, including:

■       body language

■       posture

■       personal appearance

■       hand gestures

■       eye contact

■       facial expression

■       body contact (eg. shaking hands)

■       tone or expression (eg. pause, emphasis on words).

Watch the video The importance of nonverbal cues as told by 'Friends' as a lighthearted example of how nonverbal cues are used to help communicate. Consider their importance when they cannot be used: for example when communicating online. 

Within any workplace there are many forms of written communication used, including:

■       electronic mail (email)

■       memorandums

■       proforma

■       forms

■       letters

■       receipts

■       customer/client records

■       facsimiles

■       reports.

Watch the video 'Routine writing skills in the workplace' to explore these vital skills required for effective written communication.

Watch the video 'Questioning techniques' to learn more about different techniques for questioning.

There are many common barriers to effective communication and it is important to consider the strategies to overcome each barrier within the workplace.

Discuss and complete the summary table (left) outlining the following communication barriers:

■       bias and stereotyping

■       lack of empathy

■       negative subtext

■       gender issues

■       individual differences

■       inconsistency

■       emotions

■       physical barriers, eg noise

■       inattention

■       pressure of time.

When working with colleagues it is important to have a good understanding of teamwork and how it is effective in the workplace. Supporting others to achieve team or work goals and tasks ensures the delivery of quality work outcomes through teamwork.

There are many benefits to workplace diversity and inclusion. All employers and employees need to understand the importance of respect and sensitivity and therefore the need for tolerance in the workplace.

Watch the video 'Inclusion starts with I' as it explores the various dimensions of workplace inclusion and diversity and its importance.