Communicating with Peers

written by: Carie M. McCabe; article published: year 2007, month 05;



In: Categories » Self improvement » Communication » Communicating with Peers

Teamwork is really important in the workplace. Working co-operatively for the benefit of the customers is the purpose of your job. You will enjoy your job much more if the atmosphere is collaborative and positive. This will depend largely on how people communicate with each other. Be the role model, and use these principles to improve communication with and among your peers:

  1. Become a better receiver of information and facilitate upward communication. Employees need to feel they have a chance to influence what goes on in your organization. Use these communication principles with both peers and subordinates to encourage a free exchange of ideas.

  2. Encourage opinions from other people. Listen to all ideas before formulating your own.

  3. Show your peers that you respect their ideas by encouraging them to contribute and listening to what they have to say.

  4. If you are at all confused about an idea being presented, try repeating it in your own words. This will not only clarify your understanding, but will also show you are interested.

  5. Really listen to your colleagues — don't just wait to jump in with your own ideas. Listen to their words, thoughts, and feelings.

  6. Ask for opinions from both peers and subordinates. This makes them feel that their contributions are valued, and will give them a greater sense of commitment.

  7. Support your colleagues' ideas even when they differ from your own. You will be rewarded when you need support for your ideas.

  8. Express your ideas in plain language. Confusing people with big words or jargon is not going to get your message across.

  9. Use words carefully. Your listeners may react negatively to words that you thought were neutral. For example, using "you" when attributing blame will put associates on the defensive. Using "I" will build interest in your feedback. For example, "I am concerned" is preferable to "you did."

  10. If you have to communicate bad news, do so privately. An informal one-on-one meeting will soften the blow, give your colleague an opportunity to express her feelings, and open the way to solving problems.

  11. Be aware of how you communicate. Avoid alienating your colleagues by

    • preaching (you are implying they are less morally responsible than you);

    • patronizing (you are treating them like children);

    • scolding (you are putting them down);

    • being negative (you are always looking for the flaws).

  12. Focus on the problem, not the person. Take a neutral approach to new ideas, then, after you have judged them, point out their positive aspects first. You want to encourage your colleagues to keep on thinking and contributing.

  13. Act positively towards new ideas. Smile and show interest as they are being presented.

  14. Don't use criticism of your boss as a way to win over your colleagues — you will be demonstrating that you can't be trusted when people's backs are turned.

  15. If you don't agree with your boss's directions to others, keep it to yourself. Express your concerns to your boss, not to your colleagues.

  16. If your fellow workers are angry with you,

    • avoid arguments — they make things worse;

    • listen to their concerns — they will feel better after venting their frustrations;

    • acknowledge their right to feel angry;

    • get their ideas on how to solve the problem

legal disclaimer

1) Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article as well for any and all copyright infringements by authors and writers. E-articles is a free information resource. If you suspect this article for any copyright infringements, please read the Terms of service and contact us to investigate the problem.
2) The E-articles directory team is not responsible for inaccuracies, falsehoods, or any other types of misinformation this tutorial may contain and will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by a user through the user's reliance on the information gained here. Please read the Terms of service

Useful tools and features

Translate this article to...    Send this article to you or to a friend

Link to this article from your page   
If you like this article (tutorial), please link to it from your web page using the information above. Linking to this page, this is the only way to help us improve our service, the same time providing your visitors with a way to improve their online experience.

related articles

1. Communicating using E mail
E-mail is fast replacing faxes and regular mail as the primary written form of communication. The ability to send messages around the world in seconds possesses real advantages over other forms of communication, so one can expect this form of communication to grow at a very rapid rate. Using e-mail effectively will improve the way others view you. Use these tips to be an effective modern-day communicator. Make communicating responses a priority — particularly those required by clients. It will impr...

2. Communicating in a Virtual Environment
In a global economy, people who are located in different cities and countries often work together on common projects. Some of the team players work for the organization while others are contractors. All should be seen as partners in the process. Here are some ideas as to how to work effectively together: Voice mail. Set up a system to allow people to call in their results to a central number. This data can be updated regularly and fed back to all interested parties. Teleconf...

3. Communicating in Writing
Most job descriptions include a requirement for effective communication skills, both oral and written. Sadly, many people find it difficult to express their ideas on paper, and thus to communicate effectively both inside and outside their organizations. Here are some suggestions for improving your writing skills: Think before you write. Could what you need to communicate be better expressed verbally? The most important reasons for written documentation are: an important decision must be made; you are dea...

4. Disciplinary Interview
Having a disciplinary interview is an unpleasant experience for both you and your boss. Needless to say, you should always strive to perform at a level that will earn you accolades, not rebukes. In the event that you are asked to participate in this process, here are some things you can do: BEFORE THE INTERVIEW Prepare yourself thoroughly. You will obviously know the reason for the interview. Collect whatever facts you can, particularly those that may be in your fa...

5. Hiring: Conducting the Interview
As an empowered team member, you can expect to be involved in decisions about who to hire into the department. After all, who is better able to judge the technical skills of potential candidates than the people who do the job! But remember, it is important to find people who will fit in with other team members, so morale can remain high. So take this challenge seriously, as a bad orange can poison the whole bag! Here are some interviewing tips for you: When the candidate enters the room, greet her with a...

6. Communicating: dealing with the informal information
We live in times of turbulent change. People need information to make sense of the things they don't understand. As management typically reacts to these needs, the grapevine will fill in the information gaps for people. Some of the information you will get is true, but a lot will not be. Here are some ways of dealing with the informal information that swirls around you. AVOID RUMOURS Take the attitude that it is better to give too much information than too little...

7. How to Handle Difficult People
Life is about making choices. You can choose the people you want to befriend. But sometimes, in a work situation, you may not be able to avoid people who make your stomach turn when you see them. The type of people you want as little to do with as possible are people who enjoy your failures; insist on telling you what to do without giving you an opportunity to make your own decisions; interrupt at meetings; ...

8. Listening
Why do people have two ears and one mouth? It's probably because we are meant to listen twice as much as we talk. Or is it because listening is so much more difficult than talking? Listening shows that you care, that you have empathy and are prepared to be influenced. It also allows you to understand where the person you are communicating with is coming from. Here are the golden rules of listening: Give the other person your undivided attention. Don't do other work or take calls while you are listeni...

9. Receiving Feedback
Getting feedback is probably the greatest opportunity for you to grow, learn, and improve your relationships with others. Why? Because you are constantly being given feedback. It happens daily. To ignore it is to lose the opportunity to adjust your behaviour and attitudes. Here is how to take full advantage of messages others are giving you: Be receptive to feedback. If you're not sure how you're doing, ask people you trust to evaluate you. Listen, listen, listen. Let the person givin...

10. Ways to make your meeting meaningful
If you are going to take the time to attend a meeting, make it worth your while and show respect to your chairperson by taking an active part. Here are some ways to make your participation meaningful: BEFORE THE MEETING Read the agenda. If the purpose of the meeting is not obvious, try to get the goals clarified before it takes place. If there is no agenda, suggest that one be established, either before or at the beginning of the meeting. ...