communication goals essay

50 SMART Communication Goals Examples

Improving communication has a range of flow-on benefits. Strong communication skills can help you gain more social contacts, become more persuasive, and increase workplace efficiency.

Scan through the following communication goals and select the examples that resonate most with you. Choose ones that you think are achievable and will help you to genuinely improve on weaknesses.

Then, once you’ve selected three to five objectives, scroll to the end of the article, where I’ll show you how to turn the objectives into SMART goals . This involves using the S.M.A.R.T acronym to create well-crafted goals that suit your personal circumstances perfectly. Don’t miss the SMART Goalsetting template that you can save and edit, or print out and fill in. That’s available at the bottom of the article, as well.

Communication Goals Examples

1. Enhance Listening Skills: I will strive to boost my understanding and ability to respond to verbal communications . I will accomplish this by committing to participate in at least two communicative workshops per month, using the feedback received from peers as a yardstick to measure my growth.

2. Cultivate Non-Verbal Communication Skills: I will aim to extend my capacities in perceiving and interpreting silent cues such as facial responses, body movements, and hand signals. I will work towards this by enrolling in a certified body language course, utilizing the earned certification as a metric to validate my achievements in this sphere.

3. Improve Public Speaking: I will dedicate myself to strengthening my public speaking abilities and to feel more comfortable and confident in front of an audience. I will aspire towards this by delivering at least one presentation per week in a professional or social setting, gauging my progress through the feedback and applause of my audience.

4. Refine Presentation Skills: I will make my presentations more engaging and effective. This can be achieved by studying and applying two new methods of audience engagement (for instance, using storytelling or incorporating multimedia elements ) during the next six presentations I deliver, monitoring my success based on audience feedback.

5. Enhance Written Communication: I will aim at boosting my writing proficiency for more polished and persuasive written messages . This goal can be realized by participating in a professional writing course and implementing the learned skills in my daily communications, using the completion of the course and an evident improvement in my writing tasks as a measure of my progression.

6. Improve Interpersonal Communication : I will heighten my fluency in one-on-one, personal interactions. I can do this by committing to having constructive and meaningful conversations with at least two new individuals every week, using the development of deeper connections with my conversation partners as a way to track my improvement.

7. Develop Empathy in Communication: I will focus on cultivating empathy in my communication to build stronger relationships. This will be attained by completing a course in Emotional Intelligence within the next three months and applying at least one learned technique daily (for example, active listening and demonstrating understanding), using relationship growth as an indication of success.

8. Strengthen Email Communication: I will aim to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of my professional emails. This can be achieved over the next quarter by using newly learned techniques from a business writing workshop, with a reduction in follow-up clarification emails from recipients as a measure of progress.

9. Expand Networking Skills : I will aim to grow my professional network to foster career development. My strategy for achieving this over the next six months is to attend at least one industry-specific networking event per month and connect with a minimum of five new professionals at each event, using an increase in my professional LinkedIn connections as a metric for success.

10. Master Persuasive Communication: I will aim to perfect my persuasive communication skills to influence outcomes beneficially. To achieve this, I will enroll in a course specializing in sales and negotiation within the next three months, implementing given strategies (like the ‘Yes ladder’ technique) in my work, and measuring success by the positive responses I get from customers or colleagues.

11. Boost Communication Confidence: I will work to improve my self-confidence in communication situations. Over the following quarter, I’m planning to seek speaking opportunities in different scenarios (like team meetings or community gatherings), using the decrease in feelings of stress or anxiety as my success metric.

12. Improve Multicultural Communication: I will strive to better comprehend and communicate effectively with people from varied cultural backgrounds . This will be achieved by taking a cross-cultural communication course over the next two months and applying the learned skills (like respecting diverse viewpoints and customs) in my interactions, and watching for improvement in responses from culturally diverse individuals.

13. Refine Active Listening: I will focus on bolstering my active listening skills to promote better comprehension. I will attempt this by practicing active listening techniques (such as summarization or reflection) for every communication I have in the next two months, using the clarity of my responses as a measure of success.

14. Improve Constructive Criticism : I will work towards providing more effective constructive criticism. Over the next quarter, I will utilize professional development resources such as books and webinars to learn constructive feedback delivery techniques (like the ‘feedback sandwich’), measuring success by the improved attitudes and performance of those who receive my feedback.

15. Expand Vocabulary: I will work on expanding my vocabulary to communicate more clearly and effectively. This will be achieved by learning at least five new industry-related terms each week and integrating them into my daily verbal and written communication, using the increase in my linguistic repertoire as a measure of progress.

16. Improve Telephone Communication: I will concentrate on enhancing my telephone communication skills to portray professionalism and clarity, especially relevant in remote working environments. This will be accomplished by attending a telephone etiquette seminar within the next month and implementing the learned techniques (such as enunciated speech or listening attentively) during phone interactions, watching for feedback from recipients as a measure of success.

17. Enhance Group Communication: I will strive to make my contributions more substantive during group discussions or team meetings. Over the next quarter, by utilizing the strategies learned from a leadership communication course and engaging more frequently during discussions, my success will be denoted by the frequency of my ideas being adopted or incorporated into team projects.

18. Strengthen Crisis Communication: I will work on my crisis communication skills to better manage challenging scenarios. This objective can be achieved by taking a crisis management course within the next six months and applying the learned techniques (like maintaining calm and offering clear instructions) in a critical situation, using the successful resolution of the incident as a success metric.

19. Master Digital Communication: I will aim to improve my competence in digital communication platforms such as Zoom or Teams. Over the next two months, my goal is to attend at least three webinars or workshops on digital communication, applying new techniques (like mastering screen sharing or using the chat function effectively) in my online interactions, with fewer technical disruptions as a measure of growth.

20. Improve Adaptability in Communication: My goal is to become more adaptable in my communication to meet the receiver’s communication style. To do this, I will dive into the subject by enrolling in a course on diverse communication styles within the next trimester. By experimenting with different styles (like assertive or passive) in various situations, the increased satisfaction and comfort of my conversation partners will serve as indicators of my success.

21. Boost Conflict Resolution Skills: I will aim to improve the way I communicate during conflicts to build more robust relationships. I can accomplish this by completing a conflict resolution course in the next three months and practising the acquired tactics (like active listening and seeking common ground) during disputes, with a decrease in unresolved conflicts as a measure of progress.

22. Improve Technical Communication: My goal is to heighten my ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to lay audiences. This will be achieved by attending a technical communication workshop and employing the learned techniques (like using layman’s terms), with the recipient’s understanding and appreciation as an indication of successful communication.

23. Increase Speed of Response: I will work to improve my response time in troubleshooting customer queries to enhance customer satisfaction. Over the next quarter, by incorporating a structured approach (like categorizing queries based on urgency) and tracking the time taken to respond, a reduction by 10% in average response time will indicate successful goal attainment.

24. Heighten Communication Effectiveness: My goal would be to minimize misunderstandings and ensure every message I communicate is received as intended. I plan to achieve this in the next six months by utilizing feedback effectively, verifying understanding, and refining my messages based on input received, with a reduction in miscommunications acting as a measure of success.

25. Strengthen Communication Consistency: I will aim to maintain consistency in my communications to ensure transparency and reliability. Over the next quarter, by ensuring that all communications align with my established personal or corporate brand, and making sure to review all outgoing communications, a decrease in breakdowns or confusing messages will serve as the goal metric.

26. Manage Communication Overload: My goal is to handle communication overload effectively to avoid burnout and increase efficiency . This can be achieved by setting specific times for checking and responding to emails or messages, and ensuring a balanced approach to communication in the next two months, with a decrease in stress levels and an increase in productivity as a measure of success.

27. Improve Visual Communication: I will focus on enhancing my skills in visual communication to better share information, such as data or processes. Over the next three months, I will learn to use at least two visual design tools, incorporating their use into my professional presentations (like PowerPoint or reports), with audience comprehension and positive feedback as indicators of success.

28. Refine Negotiation Skills: I will aim to hone my negotiation skills, benefiting both professional and personal situations. I will undertake a negotiation tactics course next quarter, applying the learned techniques (like finding a win-win solution), with a successful negotiation outcome serving as a measure of growth.

29. Boost Webinar Speaking Skills: I aim to excel in webinar speaking to effectively communicate and engage with remote audiences. Over the next three months, by participating in a webinar presenters’ class and using the gained tactics (like managing audience questions), an increase in positive feedback from webinar attendees will signal progress.

30. Enhance Social Media Communication: My goal is to upgrade my social media communication to engage with contemporary audiences more effectively. In the next quarter, I will learn to use at least three new social media platforms or features (like Instagram Stories), tracking my success through growing follower numbers and increased post engagements.

31. Improve Collaborative Communication: I will aim to foster better collaborative communications in team settings. Over the next six months, by training in team communication techniques (like constructive feedback) and applying them in team interactions, a higher degree of team cohesion and productivity will indicate goal achievement .

32. Enhance Client Communication: My objective is to deliver superior client communication to boost satisfaction and loyalty. This can be accomplished in the next trimester by seeking regular feedback and personalizing communications as per client preference, with increased satisfaction scores and repeat business serving as the success marker.

33. Strengthen Media Interview Skills: I will work to enhance my expertise when being interviewed by media outlets. This can be achieved by attending a media training seminar within the next three months, applying the learnt skills (like keeping responses concise) during actual interviews, and measuring success based on positive media coverage.

34. Boost Assertive Communication: My goal is to communicate more assertively to express myself effectively and stand up for my point of view while also respecting the rights of others. Over the next quarter, I will attend an assertiveness training class, adapt the learnt methods (like using ‘I’ statements), and assess success based on increased self-confidence and respect received from others.

35. Improve Public Relations Communication: I aim to refine my ability to manage and enhance the reputation of an organisation by strategic communication and other PR exercises. This will be achieved over the next six months by gaining a PR certification, implementing PR tactics (like press releases distribution) at work, and gauging success based on positive public perception.

36. Enhance Business Pitching: My objective is to perfect my business pitching skills to attract investors and clients persuasively. Over the next quarter, I will attend a sales pitching workshop, apply the learnt strategies (like emphasizing value proposition) during actual pitches, and measure progress based on the number of positive responses.

37. Increase Communication Responsiveness: I will work on increasing my responsiveness in communication to build better relationships and improve efficiency. Over the next three months, I will time my responses and aim to decrease the time taken to respond by 20%, using this decreased response time as a measure of success.

38. Strengthen Positive Language Use: I aim to improve my use of positive language to foster better relationships. Over the next six months, I will consciously incorporate more positive phrases and words into my communication (like appreciation words or positive affirmations) and track improvement through the reactions of the recipients and the overall enhancement of relationships.

39. Enhance Political Communication: I will aim to improve my political communication skills to persuade voters, negotiate effectively and navigate the political landscape with ease. Over the next six months, I will attend a course on political communication, implement the learned strategies (like framing political messages) in my work, and measure success based on a more effective communication strategy .

40. Improve Crisis Management Communication: I will work to bolster my crisis communication abilities, which are vital during emergencies. For this, I plan to undergo a crisis communication training within the next three months; applying the acquired tactics (like maintaining transparency), and success will be indicated by effectiveness during crisis situations.

41. Refine Proposal Writing: My objective is to refine proposal writing skills to get more approvals on projects or funding. I will take on a business writing course focusing on proposal crafting within the next quarter, using the skills acquired (like stating clear benefits) while drafting actual proposals, and tracking approval rates as a success indicator.

42. Enhance Feedback Receiving Skills: I plan to better receive and internalize feedback constructively. I will achieve this by actively asking for feedback on my assignments over the next two months, and by employing learned techniques (like not taking criticism personally), with noticeable improvement in work quality as a measurement of success.

43. Strengthen Communication Transparency: I am ambitiously dedicated to creating a transparent communication environment both in professional and personal relationships to foster trust. In the next three months, my goal is to implement strategies like regular updates and openness about challenges, with a marked increase in trust levels and more robust relationships as a success metric.

44. Upgrade Cross-Departmental Communication: I aim to enhance my communication skills with other departments to promote collaboration and understanding. Over the next quarter, by adapting techniques from an organizational communication course (like understanding different departmental jargons) and applying them, any achievement towards seamless interdepartmental cooperation will denote success.

45. Improve Sales Communication: I will focus on bolstering my communication abilities in sales to persuade potential customers or clients effectively. Over the next quarter, I will take a sales technique course, apply the learned selling points and tactics in my work, and evaluate success based on an increase in sales figures.

46. Enhance Conflict Communication: My goal is to refine my communication skills during conflicts to reach amicable solutions efficiently. Over the next three months, I will use valuable insights from a conflict resolution seminar, introduce the learnt techniques (like ‘agree to disagree’) in potential conflict situations, and gauge success by the reduction in escalated conflicts.

47. Refine Presentation Delivery: I aim to perfect the delivery of my presentations to engage and impress the audience effectively. I will participate in a public speaking workshop within the next two months, incorporate new techniques (like effective use of visual aids) in future presentations, and measure progress through audience feedback and participation.

48. Boost Transparency in Leadership Communication: I intend to foster a transparent communication culture within my team to build trust and openness. Over the next quarter, I will conduct regular team meetings, openly share information (like company updates), and gauge success based on team feedback and overall morale.

49. Improve Customer Service Communication: I will aim to refine my communication in customer service to enhance customer satisfaction. Over the next six months, I will use professional customer service training, implement effective techniques (like empathic listening) in conversations with customers, and track progress through increased customer satisfaction ratings.

50. Strengthen Emotional Intelligence in Communication: I will strive to boost my emotional intelligence in communication to build stronger, more empathetic relations with others. By attending an emotional intelligence training program over the next quarter and employing the learned skills (like recognizing others’ emotions) in my interactions, I can gauge my growth through strengthened interpersonal relationships.

Make SMART Communication Objectives

Hopefully, you found some communication goals that resonated with you. Now you’ve got your goals, let’s make them S.M.A.R.T.

SMART is a goalsetting acronym created by George Doran (1981) that stands for:

• Specific: Revise your goal and improve it so it’s more specific in terms of what success looks like. Explain it clearly, so there is no ambiguity.
• Measurable: Write down how you will measure progress and success . You need to set out a clear measure of success now so you don’t end up moving the goalposts on yourself later on.
• Achievable: Reflect on whether you can truly achieve this goal. Is it within your grasp with effort and commitment? If not, now is the time to make it easier or harder, to set it at a challenging but achievable standard.
• Relevant: How is your communication goal relevant to your larger objectives in education, your career, or life? This short-term goal should be aligned with your long-term goals in order to sustain motivation and ensure it makes sense for you to be pursuing this milestone.
• Time-Bound: Set an end-date for when you will achieve success. On this date, you will pause and measure whether you met the goal. With a deadline, you’ll be able to pressure yourself into getting to work and not putting it off to another day.

To help you to build out your SMART communication goals, I’ve created this template for you. Open it up, save a copy for yourself so you can edit it, or print a copy and write out your goals by hand:

Get the Google Docs Template Here

Davis, W. D., Mero, N., & Goodman, J. M. (2007). The interactive effects of goal orientation and accountability on task performance.  Human Performance ,  20 (1), 1-21. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08959280709336926

Daw, N. D. (2015). Of goals and habits. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112 (45), 13749-13750. doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518488112

Doran, G. T. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives. Journal of Management Studies , 70-75.

Ehrlich, C., & Milston, S. (2021). Happiness through goal setting: A practical guide to reflect on and change the reasons why you pursue your most important goals in life . London: Routledge.

Latham G.P., Locke E.A. (2018) Goal Setting Theory. In The SAGE Encyclopedia of Industrial and Organizational Psychology . London: SAGE.

Milne, S., Orbell, S., and Sheeran, P. (2002). Combining Motivational and Volitional Interventions to Promote Exercise Participation: Protection Motivation Theory and Implementation Intentions,  British Journal of Health Psychology,   7 (2): 163–184. Doi:  https://doi.org/10.1348/135910702169420

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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13 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Communication Skills

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Communication is one of those interpersonal skills that you may not think you need much help with.

You may think, “Communication is easy, I can relay a message to another person!”

But communication is so much more than being able to shoot someone an email.

The methods we use to communicate with each other is continuously changing. While Zoom may have been familiar to only a small portion of the business population two years ago, it’s now an everyday method of communication that employees from businesses worldwide have become very familiar with.

The truth is that we now have a growing variety of choices when it comes to modes of communication. And a lot of the methods that we once used to communicate are becoming less relevant as time goes on, and communication barriers that we once faced (like physical distance) is no longer an issue.

So it’s no wonder that having good communication skills has continuously ranked as the #1 most sought-after skill by employers. And it’s not as easy to come by as you may think. Being a good communicator means that you’re a skilled listener , you can interpret non-verbal communication, you can pick up on other people’s emotions , and you know the right questions to ask when you’re having a conversation .

If you can do all of these things in addition to delivering messages in a clear and concise way, there’s a good chance you know how to get what you want , overcome obstacles , make friends, build rapport with colleagues, and gain respect from others.

But, being able to do all of those things, and being able to do them well , is a tall order.

Engaging in proper communication is a complex task due to the complicated nature of human thought processes. ( Learn more about the elements of communication here. )

It can be difficult to formulate your thoughts into words, and even more challenging to voice your message in a way that will be interpreted by your audience the way you intend it to be. Your statements may be misunderstood–or worse, you could be caught using faulty logic , which could open you up to criticism.

Think back to a time when you’ve felt misunderstood. Maybe you got accused of giving someone a “look” that you were oblivious to, or someone took your quick response to something you wrote in a hurry as being rude. Think not only of the trouble that could have been avoided with more clear communication, but also the feelings that could have been spared and the time that could have been saved from others who dwelled on these momentary lapses of proper communication.

Think of the consequences that could result, should one of these misunderstandings lay the foundation for a potential employer’s first impression of you. Or, what if it’s a first date who misinterprets your message? Poor communication can have a strong negative influence on your life’s journey, which could be easily avoided if you were to be more intentional about your interpersonal interactions.

And having good business communication skills isn’t just important for your professional wellbeing– it’s also an important factor whenever you’re a part of a team. Research consistently shows that communication plays a vital role in the success of teams and maintaining a positive team dynamic.

But, whether you’re unintentionally misleading–or even offending– the person you’re talking to, ineffective communication can lead to unnecessary conflict, low company morale, and missed opportunities.

So in this article, we are going to look at seven SMART goals that you can use to help improve your communication skills. Even if you think you’re a pretty good communicator, it’s worth it to set some goals in this area because this is a skill that will continue to look different as technology continues to evolve.

But first, let’s define SMART goals more clearly so you can recognize the value in this goal-setting strategy.

Table of Contents

What Is a SMART Goal?

SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When your goals meet all of these criteria, it’s nearly impossible to fail. Setting your goals according to the SMART goal framework ensures that you have a solid plan in place for achieving your objectives.

Let’s break down each component of a SMART goal.

SMART goals are:

• Specific- The statement is narrow and it answers the questions who, what, when , where and why .
• Measurable- You can clearly define how you will know you’re making progress along the way or at what point you’ve reached your goal.
• Achievable- It is reasonable to accomplish your goal by the deadline that you’ve set. It is not so far out of reach that it is impossible to achieve.
• Relevant- Your goal aligns with your long-term plans and your values.
• Time-bound – SMART goals are limited by a set deadline, which will keep you motivated and ensure you prioritize reaching your goal. 

These elements work together to create clear goals that are trackable and within your ability and skill set to achieve. If you haven’t been successful with meeting your goals in the past, they were probably poorly-written, making them impossible to manage. However, when you’re using the SMART goal structure, your goals will start with a solid foundation that sets you up for success.

Let’s take a look at some examples of SMART goals that you could use if you’re trying to improve your communication skills. Depending on the goal and where you are on your journey to better communication, you can change around the numbers a bit to suit your needs.

1. Encourage Quieter Team members to Speak Up

“Over the next six weeks, I will balance the communication dynamic on my team by encouraging quieter team members to speak up and reminding more talkative members that we want to hear from everyone. I will do this by giving verbal reminders throughout all team meetings.”

S : This statement sets forth exactly what this person plans on doing in order to balance the communication dynamic among his team members.

M : Each meeting over the next six weeks counts as one step toward meeting this goal.

A : This is an achievable goal.

R : This goal is relevant for any leader who wants to ensure the success of their team.

T : This goal-setter will practice this goal for six weeks.

2. Do a Mental head-to-Toe Language Check

“For the next week, I’ll do a mental head-to-toe body language check whenever I have a conversation that lasts over one minute to increase my self-awareness of my non-verbal communication.”

S : This SMART goal states this person’s plan to improve their self-awareness of their non-verbal communication so they can actively work to improve it.

M : Each conversation that lasts over one minute over the next seven days counts as one unit of measurement.

R : This is a relevant goal for those who want to improve their non-verbal communication.

T : This goal will be completed in seven days.

3. Keep an Open Mind

“For the next four weeks, I will keep an open mind while talking to other people. I will do this by verbally empathizing with others’ points of view whenever I don’t share their opinion.”

S : This goal articulates this person’s plan to keep an open mind when talking to people who have opinions that differ from the goal setter’s.

M : Each conversation that this person has over the next four weeks with someone he disagrees with will count as one unit.

A : This is an achievable goal, especially for those who have a lot of conversations on polarizing topics.

R : This is a relevant goal for people who want to expand their mindset and foster a culture of open-mindedness and respect.

T : This goal will be complete in four weeks.

4. Initiate Conversations

“Over the next two months, I will initiate at least one conversation per week with a stranger to increase my confidence when talking to people from different backgrounds.”

S : This goal describes this person’s plan to increase their confidence when talking to people who come from a different background.

M : This person must initiate at least one conversation per week over the next two months, so eight conversations overall.

A : This is an achievable goal for those who want to be inclusive of diverse perspectives.

R : This is a relevant goal for people who are in the beginning stages of their communication-improvement plan.

T : This goal will be complete in two months.

5. Plan Before Communicating

“In order to reduce barriers to proper communication, I will improve my planning prior to communicating by considering the goals, needs, and attitudes of my audience, in addition to how others will be impacted by my message. I will do this intentionally prior to sending any written communication until June 1st.”

S : This person’s goal is to reduce the breakdown of communication by intentionally planning and thinking through all written communication until June 1st.

M : Each written form of communication between now and June 1st is one unit of measurement.

R : This is a relevant goal for those who want to minimize barriers to proper communication.

T : This goal will be complete by June 1st.

6. Make Office Conducive to Listening

“By the end of the week, I will make my office more conducive to being a good listener by removing distractions, setting a chair up for people to speak with me at eye-level, and posting a “come in” sign on my door.”

S : This person’s goal is to actively work on their listening skills by creating an environment that is conducive to doing so.

M : This person has three tasks to complete by the end of the week.

R : This is a relevant goal for anyone who wants to focus on the receiving part of their communication skills.

T : This goal will be complete by Friday afternoon.

7. Plan Before Making Commitments

“I will spend 10 minutes focusing on a plan for following through prior to making any promises for the rest of the month. When my actions contradict my promises, others will discount my words, so I will carefully consider the impact of my commitments before I make them and I will alter my message accordingly before sending it.”

S : This person will spend time analyzing the potential impact of their messages before they’re relayed in order to ensure they can follow through on their words with appropriate action.

M : This person will do this for 10 minutes before making any promises for the rest of the month.

R : This is a relevant goal for those who want their verbal communication to be trusted.

T : This goal will be complete by the end of the month.

8. Find One Person to Encourage

“I will take thirty minutes within the next week to create a plan to find one person to encourage and motivate once a week. Each week I will write a letter of encouragement motivating this person towards achieving their goals.”

S : This goal is geared toward generating encouraging written communication through creating a plan for weekly letter writing.

M: The goal calls for 30 minutes to be set aside within one week to create the plan. Also, it has been determined that letter writing occurs weekly.

A: Creating a plan can be easily done within 30 minutes. Furthermore, one letter per week does not require too much time; therefore, it will not add any undue burden to one's schedule.

R: Encouraging and motivating communication will strengthen the relationship you have with the person you are writing to.

T: A plan is to be created within one week. This allows you to be able to fit the 30 minute planning period within your schedule.

9. Solicit Feedback on My Workplace Communication

“Over the next month, I will solicit feedback from at least one individual per week on my workplace communication. Then, I will spend 30 minutes during the last week of that month creating a plan for improving my job performance based upon that feedback.”

S: This goal focuses on receiving feedback on how well you communicate at work. Moreover, it requires that you solicit this feedback from one person weekly for four weeks.

M: You can easily measure your success by counting the number of people you solicited feedback from each week. If you've had one conversation that week concerning your workplace communication for four weeks in a row, then you've been successful. Furthermore, you can easily mark off 30 minutes for a planning period. Furthermore, you can include measurements within your plan for improvement.

A: Asking one person per week to provide feedback is achievable. It doesn't require much of your time. Also, it doesn't require much effort.  In addition, four people in four weeks provide enough feedback to create an effective improvement plan. Finally, 30 minutes is enough time to create a plan.

R: Feedback is part of the communication process. It keeps the communication process going and allows you to grow as a communicator. No one is a perfect communicator. We all have areas in which we can grow. This goal will only help you in your workplace communication, which will in turn help you be a better communicator in other roles within your life.

T: By setting the time frame for communication at one per week for a month, this gives you enough time to solicit the feedback. As for the 30 minutes for planning, setting a time limit will help you stay focused during your planning.

10. Ensure Concise Wording in Emails

“In the next week, I will create an outline for each email I send to ensure that I use concise wording and to edit out any sentences that don't fit the outline before sending the email.”

S: By writing an outline for each email, you'll send better emails. They will be concise, which will allow you to stay on point and express exactly what you intended to say.

M: You can measure whether or not you achieved your goal by counting up the number of emails in your sent file and comparing that number to the number of outlines you've created. If the totals match, then you were successful.

A: Creating an outline doesn't take much time. Outlines are meant to be phrases, not complete sentences. Therefore, an outline is a simple, yet effective, way to organize the content of your emails.

R: Written communication is one of many different modes of communication. Being concise in written communication allows your ideas to come across effectively and accurately. This will help reduce communication breakdown. Plus, concise emails don't waste your reader's time.

T: One week should be plenty of time to establish a habit of outlining emails before writing them, especially if you send numerous emails per week. To develop positive communication habits, consistent repetition is required.

11. Create an Active Listening Checklist

“In the next week, take 20 minutes to create a 4-item active listening mental checklist. Then, over the following week, mentally assess your active listening during every conversation to determine if you are using active listening skills.”

S: A 4-item mental active listening checklist will require you to pay attention to your conversations to see if you're actively listening. You will have to assess your role in the conservation to determine whether or not you are using the 4 active listening skills you've included in the checklist.

M: As your conversation progresses, you can mentally check off if you have used the four skills you have included on the checklist.

A: four items is a good number of items to include on a mental checklist. You won't have to memorize too much. Plus, it won't take your attention away from the conversation. If your mental checklist is too long, you won't be able to concentrate on the conversation. Thus, you defeat the purpose of improving your active listening.

R: Effective communication requires active listening. Active listening shows the speaker that you're paying attention to them. There is a difference between listening and hearing. Listening requires you to process what you've heard and respond appropriately.

T: Again, one week should provide plenty of opportunities to implement the mental checklist. Also, 20 minutes should be enough time to create a four-item checklist.

12. Take Notes During Conversations

“For the next two weeks, take notes during conversations. Be sure to write down important information, such as instructions, dates, or times. Then, summarize your notes back to the speaker at the end of the conversation to clarify your understanding of the conversation.”

S: This goal focuses on keying in on important details of a conversation. The important details may get lost in the other bits of information during a conversation. For example, you may miss out on the date of an important event your friend wants you to attend.

M: You will be able to measure your achievement if you have at least one item in your notes at the end of every conversation.

A: You can easily jot this information down on a piece of paper. Or, you can use apps on your smart phone. It doesn't take much effort to say, “Hang on a second and let me put this on my calendar.”

R: In the midst of your daily interactions, so much can be said that it becomes easy to forget the important details. One of the purposes of communication is to inform. When someone is giving you information, your role as the listener is to process the information being presented so you can act on it. Taking notes cuts down on the chance of you not acting on the information because you forgot.

T: Two weeks will give you time to establish a habit of taking note of important details in a conversation. Again, habits result from consistent repetition.

13. Put Away Mobile Phone

“Over the next month, I will put down my cell phone when someone is speaking to me.”

S: This goal addresses a common communication block that many people create by continuing to look at their smart phone when someone is talking to them.

M: By requiring that you put down your phone for every in-person conversation, you can easily measure whether or not you've achieved your goal. If you keep looking at your phone during at least one conversation, you've not achieved your goal.

A: For some, this goal will be tough. Looking at our phones during conversations has become a bad habit, yet it's not impossible to break a bad habit. It just takes more work. Therefore, this goal is achievable with effort.

R: A communication block is anything that gets in the way of proper communication. Continuing to look at your phone while someone is attempting to talk to you definitely gets in the way of communication. It's a distraction that splits your focus. Also, it conveys the message that what you're doing on your phone is more important than what the speaker is saying.

T: Unfortunately, it takes longer to break a habit than to start one. Therefore, a month is an appropriate time limit for this goal, as opposed to a week or two.

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Communication

It would be hard to claim that there is nothing more someone could learn to improve their communication skills. For most people, improving communication skills will be a lifelong, ongoing process. You (and everyone around you) will continue to make mistakes and learn from the situations that result.

Investing your time in improving your communication skills is sure to pay off in the end. Try one or two of these SMART goals in your own life and see what you can notice and learn just in the short time it takes to complete a goal listed in this article. Chances are, once you finish one, you will be eager to start on another.

And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 11 SMART Goals Examples for Your Public Speaking Skills
• 7 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Networking Skills
• 6 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Writing Skills

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.

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10 SMART Communication Goals for Teams With Examples

Senior Content Marketing Manager

December 18, 2023

Being a strong communicator comes naturally for some, while for others, it’s an opportunity for growth. Some team members dominate conversations, while others might not feel comfortable sharing their ideas.

What you need is a way to create balance and build an environment where everyone can communicate confidently and effectively. That’s where communication goals come in.

Let’s look closer at communication goals, why they should always be SMART, and what these goals might look like in practice. We’ll explore real-life examples of goals and offer advice on how to set and track them in the best way possible. 

What is a Communication Goal?

Benefits of setting smart communication goals, 1. be clear and concise, 2. prioritize the most important message, 3. use data and research to support your message, 4. remove acronyms and highly technical language, 5. make your communication more inclusive, 6. communicate with confidence, 7. use storytelling for good, 8. keep everyone updated, 9. become an active participant, 10. share your wins, how to meet your communication goals.

A communication goal is a target that your team members can work towards to help them build strong, effective communication skills in the workplace. Many people find it difficult to adapt the way they communicate. Having clear goals makes it easier for them to remove communication barriers so they can improve and grow.

Most communication goals center around helping teams work better together. When team members struggle to communicate their challenges, schedules can suffer. Empowering your team to elevate their communication skills creates a more enjoyable environment for all, where everyone feels respected, listened to, and able to communicate clearly.

Managers might decide to set general communication goals for the whole team or specific targets for each team member. Even if you choose to create strategic goals for individuals, it’s still useful to have some guidelines for the entire team or company.

Use the Communication Plan Template by ClickUp to build an internal guide to communication. This way, everyone knows what best practices in communication look like!

To make your targets achievable, use the SMART goal approach to define communication goals:

• Specific: What exactly am I trying to achieve?
• Measurable : How can I know I’ve been successful, and how can I know just how successful I was?
• Achievable: Is this goal realistic?
• Relevant: Does this target help me reach my wider business goals?
• Time-bound : Can I set a time frame for achieving this goal?

Let’s take a look at a SMART communication goal example:

A manager realizes that the project team meetings are often dominated by their own voice. They want to increase participation from other team members and set a goal to make this happen.

The new communication goal for the team is two-fold: Balance talk time between members so that it’s more equal and achieve this within the next five meetings. To measure this, they’ll use an app that shows talk time in real-time and provides a score after the meeting.

This achievable goal has a clear objective and is highly relevant—greater team participation is a key element of team communication and knowledge transfer. The manager’s goal recognizes that this change won’t be instant and gives a realistic and specific time frame. They’ve also provided a simple way to measure success by using the app. 🎯

Adopting this SMART approach brings plenty of benefits to overall corporate communication. These include:

• A clearer understanding of the intended goal or purpose
• Achievable time frame in which to achieve the goal
• Insights into the most important element of the goal
• Guidance on how success will be measured
• Context on why this goal is being set and why achieving it matters

As you work through your communication goals, consider how you can make each of them match the SMART philosophy. Clear, specific goals are easier for your team members to understand, action, and achieve. For better communication, making your goals SMART gives your team a higher chance of success.

10 Communication Goal Examples for Your Team

Building a proper communication strategy from scratch can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve done the research on the best communication goals to have in the workplace. Here are some common communication goals that managers can introduce for their teams, alongside examples of SMART goals that can help you achieve each one.

It’s hard to get your message across without communicating accurately. Many people struggle with being concise, adding in filler words, pauses, and unnecessary details. The outcome is that your main message can get lost, and your audience might lose interest along the way. Instead, practice being clear and concise.

Convey your message in as few words as possible, cutting out any details that don’t feel relevant. Apply this to your public speaking skills, your written communication, and your nonverbal communication for the biggest impact.

SMART goal example: Reduce the number of filler words in your team updates by 20% by this time next month. 💬

Whether you’re giving a project update or leading a company-wide meeting , it’s normal to have more than one thing to discuss. Even when you only have one message to share, it’s easy to focus on the wrong element of it and cause confusion. Aim to prioritize the key message and make it stand out.

Reflect on your communication objectives and what it is you’re trying to communicate. Consider your target audience and the best way to deliver the message. Prepare your update, talk, or presentation beforehand and check with a team member to ensure your intended message is clear.

SMART goal example: Restructure your team update so that one key deliverable, success story, or challenge is highlighted in the next all-hands meeting. Any other updates can be shared in the meeting notes. 🎉

Too often, we don’t make the most of the resources or existing knowledge we have. If you have data and metrics available to you, use them. Data can support your arguments, illustrate the value of a project, and demonstrate your success. Not only is this useful for internal business communication, but for talking with external stakeholders, too.

Support your statements, presentations, objectives, and outcomes with the data and insights you hold. Use them to strengthen your position, suggest an alternative route forward, or celebrate how impressive your team’s work was.

SMART goal example: Record customer experience scores so that in the future, you can highlight these when talking about the success of your customer success team. 💚

In the business world, there’s always another new acronym or phrase. For some of your team members, these might be commonplace and easy for them to understand. For other people, they’re confusing and detract from the message you’re trying to share.

Avoid acronyms and technical language as much as possible to aid with clear communication.

Ask your team members to keep their updates to the wider team as user-friendly as possible. Use technical language for your team standup meetings, but swap to more everyday wording when communicating with a wider audience. If some phrases are necessary and come up often, create a company-wide glossary or guide and make this readily available.

SMART goal example: Reduce the use of highly technical language and adopt a more user-friendly language style for company updates by the next meeting. ⚒️

In many workplaces, many of the most important company updates happen during live meetings. This presents problems for team members who aren’t able to attend and for those who find verbal updates difficult to follow. Aim to make your communications as inclusive as possible and break down barriers if they exist.

Consider how you can use different types of communication—including written, visual, and verbal communication. Record your important meetings and make these recordings available, and use an AI note-taking tool to provide an instant summary. Consider the language you use, too, and opt for inclusive and nongendered language as a default.

SMART goal example: Make a video recording of every company-wide meeting available within 24 hours, along with a reliable written summary, starting from the next meeting. 💻

Whether you’re in a leadership position or not, being able to communicate with confidence is a highly valuable skill. Using your words, pacing, body language, and writing style to convey confidence can inspire your team members to make a strong point, pose a question, or close a deal.

Some people are naturally confident leaders, while others might appreciate guidance on achieving this. Coach your team members on how to make eye contact, how to communicate clearly, and how to field challenging questions from an audience.

SMART goal example: Take a short course on communicating more confidently by the end of the year. 📚

Many people overlook the value of storytelling in workplace communication, but it’s just as valid here as it is in the creative world. Adding storytelling to your communication style makes your updates more fun, engaging, and impactful.

Look for ways to use real-life evidence and examples to enhance the message you want to share. Proactively collect customer testimonials, case studies, and imagery that might be useful at some point so you always have a bank of story ideas ready to go.

SMART goal example: Source a real-life story or example to share alongside your next project impact update for the company newsletter. 🌍

It’s easy to miss information if you can’t make a meeting or don’t log in to your company intranet that day. Companies with a strong internal communication culture use multiple communication channels to ensure everyone gets the message.

Review the channels and internal communication software apps you currently use and decide whether they work. Recommend alternatives to your communications team, like podcasts, blogs, and a daily update in Slack. Think about how you can get your team’s voices heard through these channels and proactively work with your communications team to raise awareness, share successes, and ask for support.

SMART goal example: Agree on a process with the communications team to include a regular slot about your team in the company newsletter by the end of the year. 📝

Most companies and teams have individuals who are loud and dominate conversations, while others will say as little as possible, even when prompted. Neither communication style is inherently wrong, but you should look for ways to encourage quieter team members to get more involved—if they desire to.

Talk to your team members and understand whether there are any barriers in the way of them speaking up so you can add some training resources or ideas to their personal development plan alongside relevant goals to encourage and motivate them.

Introduce video call software highlighting talk time, create dedicated space on team meeting agendas for every member, and support their preferred communication styles. All these strategies give you a way to empower your team members to become more active players in meetings, events, and client calls.

SMART goal example: Create a new team meeting agenda that features space for every individual to share a work update and a fun or personal update by next month. 🙌

Much of a manager’s time is spent juggling priorities and handling issues, so it’s no surprise that we often forget to celebrate our hard work and give valuable feedback. Start highlighting your wins and handing out praise to increase employee engagement and create a positive work environment.

Look for opportunities to shout out about the great work your team is doing at all-hands meetings, in company newsletters, and in company-wide Slack channels. Create space for your team members to share their wins, and include praise wherever possible. Positivity is contagious, and this feel-good atmosphere can encourage team members to participate and communicate more effectively.

SMART goal example: Reserve space at the start or end of every team catch-up to share your wins, and encourage every team member to participate at least once per month. 🤩

Goal setting is the first step toward success, but how do you actually monitor your progress?

We’ve found the best way to stay motivated and check off progress on your goals is to use ClickUp Goals. Our approach not only gives you a user-friendly place to store your goals, but it also allows you to track your progress and celebrate when you hit your deadlines.

Create clear Targets in ClickUp based on your objectives, then decide how you’ll measure them. Add numerical, monetary, or true/false values to track your progress as you check off tasks and milestones. Pull in tasks and subtasks from various teams and projects to unite them under one Target.

Group all your communication goals together in one Folder so you can see progress both toward individual goals and as a category. Use the progress roll-up to see your goal progress, then dive into detailed individual goal views complete with descriptions. Create personal, professional goals for work , or share them with your wider team or company by changing the permissions.

ClickUp isn’t just a goal-tracking app ; it’s also a place to create and share internal plans and policies, brand guidelines, and training guides. We even have a library of templates that make ideal foundations for you to customize—including project communication plan templates and communication plan templates .

Here are some ways to put our templates to work for you:

• Highlight your company’s communication goals inside the Employee Handbook Template by ClickUp
• Encourage managers to use the Skills Gap Analysis Template by ClickUp to identify communication-related needs
• Managers can turn to the Employee Development Plan Template by ClickUp to create and monitor communication goals

If you adopt ClickUp as your all-in-one productivity and project management hub, it also becomes the ideal place to practice your communication skills. Tag team members, leave comments, add notes, and use Chat to stay in touch with team members on your projects.

From our dedicated Goals feature to our wider collection of templates, task management features, and resource management tools , ClickUp has everything you need to set, monitor, and achieve your company goals. 📈

Set and Master Your Communication Goals

Nobody communicates perfectly every time, but giving your team clear communication goals sets expectations and gives them a helpful framework to guide them. Use these communication goals and SMART goal examples to build your own personalized objectives.

If you want to commit to mastering your communication goals, make ClickUp your go-to hub for goal tracking. ClickUp Goals makes it easy to set, monitor, and celebrate your goal successes—and all within the productivity and project management hub of ClickUp. Start making progress toward your goals, and sign up for ClickUp today. ✨

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4 Communication Goals

Communication is fundamental to human relationships. Interaction, of all types, attempt several possible outcomes:

• To inform and give instructions
• To influence and persuade
• To convey emotion and perception
• Ask questions in hopes of obtaining information
• Express wants and needs
• Develop relationships and socialize
• Social etiquette
• To reassure or comfort
• Share ideas and opinions

Influence concerning how our parent figures raised us, our culture, our experiences, and our personality affects our communication style and the way we come off to others.

Consequently, being intentional with how we communicate can improve all relationships, including personal and professional. The way to be intentional with how we communicate is to work toward a specific set of communication goals.

What are Communication Goals?

Communication goals are specific aims to communicate information and emotion by more effective means.

Communication goals are broad in concept, so they need to be specific within the context of the particular types of communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual) as well as the relevant categories in life (personal, parental, romantic, friendship, and professional).

Types of Communication

The connotation surrounding the word “communication” typically conjures an image of communicating through speaking. But there are several types of communication , including verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual.

Verbal Communication

Speaking and oral communication is considered verbal communication utilized through language and words. There are four types of verbal communication (intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and public) which include:

• Presentations (small group)
• Speeches (public)
• Announcements (public)
• Conversation (interpersonal and small group)
• Discussions (interpersonal and small group)
• Official statements (public)
• Singing (all types)
• Talking to one’s self (intrapersonal)

The tone of the verbal communication depends on the relationship between the speaker and the audience. For example, an official statement from a politician is going to differ in tone from a parent saying goodnight to their child.

Written Communication

Written communication is communicating via written correspondence utilizing the written word in some of the following ways:

• Instant messaging
• Text messaging

Based on the relationship between the writer and the reader, the tone of the written communication may change. For example, a letter from a husband overseas mailed to his wife may convey emotional (and sentimental) connection; whereas, an internal office memo may transmit professional communication to employees.

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is cues received from facial expression and body language . Non-verbal communication can be tricky because we all hold a preconceived connotation of what particular facial expressions and body language represent.

For example, one person might hold the perception that lazy people slouch, and another person may hold the opinion that slouching represents exhaustion.

However, although there can be cultural differences in how one perceives nonverbal communication, there are several universal non-communication cues studied by Charles Darwin :

Nonverbal communication is just as important as verbal and written communication, if not more so. Nonverbal communication can reveal the truth behind any contradictory statement.

For example, your romantic partner could verbally communicate that he/she is excited for your extended opportunity in another country while the nonverbal communication of teary eyes tells a more profound truth about what your partner may be feeling.

Visual Communication

Although nonverbal communication could be categorized as a type of visual communication because we are “seeing” the communication through body language and facial expressions, there are several additional types of visual communication that are specific to the created medium:

• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Industrial Design
• Advertising
• Electronic Resources

The Anatomy of Communication

Along with the platform type of how your communication is delivered, what is the anatomy of effective communication? In other words, what makes for effective communication?

Seven main elements make up the anatomy of effective communication, and they are called the seven C’s of communication.

Clear communication means your intended message should be unambiguous. Ambiguous statements can confuse the other party plus tamper with the connotation of the words. For example:

Vague statement: Mark saw a man on a hill with a telescope. Examination: Did Mark use a telescope to see a man on the hill? Or was the man on the hill looking at Mark with a telescope? Or did Mark see a man on a hill that also has a telescope on it? A clear message: By looking through his telescope, Mark saw a man sitting on a hill.

Concise communication means being precise and straight to the point without any filler or fluff. Being concise means avoiding long, redundant, and winding sentences and using the least amount of words possible to communicate your message. For example:

Redundant statement: Let me briefly summarize the next period of four days before you all get your free gift.

Concise message: I’ll summarize the next four days, then hand out gifts.

Concrete communication includes specific facts and figures so that there is no room for misinterpretation. For example:

Non-specific statement: Make sure you get that report in this evening.

Concrete statement: The 2019 Financial Statement Report needs to be on my desk by 5 pm.

Correct communication means you need to use the right, or proper and fitting language in your message as well as well timed. Communicating correctly builds credibility. For example:

Incorrect statement: I believe 1+1=2. Correct message: It’s a fact that 1+1=2.

Consideration

Consideration communication is the act of considering the speaker’s beliefs, knowledge, background, and mindset. To communicate effectively, you must consider these things and relate in some way to the target recipient of your message.

For example, if employee Mark says to his coworker Steve, “I’m having a hard time finishing this report,” and Steve replies, “Well, you need to work harder,” Steve most likely isn’t communicating considerately.

If Steve took into consideration that Mark has a newborn baby at home, a sick wife, and a recently passed father, he might respond considerately, “I don’t blame you, Mark. You have a lot going on right now. Let me know how I can help.”

Complete communication provides all the relevant information to the intended party. The relevant information will give the recipient answers to any pertinent questions which will allow them to make a well-informed decision.

For example, a doctor who communicates thoroughly will provide a sick patient with all treatment options so the patient can make an informed decision on how to proceed. If the doctor only provided one treatment option, the patient would not have a perceived choice in the matter.

Courteous communication includes positive and unbiased messages , as well as terms appropriate for the recipient. For example:

Discourteous message: Unlike most people, I am never wrong.

Courteous message: Everyone messes up at some point, especially me!

Why you Should Set Communication Goals

We know there are different types of communication, as detailed above (verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual), that serve as a platform in delivering that type of communication from person to person. But without strong communication development, these communication platforms become ineffective.

You need communication goals.

Establishing communication goals, and working toward those goals, develops communication strengths and skills . Merely wanting to communicate more effectively certainly won’t get you anywhere without setting an end goal and actively working toward that goal.

Keeping the seven C’s of communication in mind, goals can be structured using the proven S.M.A.R.T. method.

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Vague or ambiguous goals have no direction. As previously stated, only wanting to communicate more effectively won’t naturally drive you in that direction alone. Action and specificity are required to reach goals.

Following a detailed goal plan or map (and continuously checking in on progress) has been scientifically proven to lead to success. Alternatively, those who don’t follow a specific, well-thought-out plan have proven to be the least likely to succeed in reaching their goals.

A S.M.A.R.T goal is more than just a catchy acronym. It’s a method of explicitly planning and mapping out your goals, which is why it is one of the most effective goal setting methods. S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based.

For example, Sam is exhausted by the lack of communication between his team members regarding completed and uncompleted communal tasks. Sam wants to increase effective communication with his employees to avoid duplicate work.

Sam might utilize the S.M.A.R.T. method accordingly:

S pecific: send the team a weekly report via email detailing the completed tasks and upcoming tasks, as well as assignments for the employee’s future jobs.

M easurable: run report which will detail any duplicated tasks completed. Each week should show a decline in duplicate tasks completed.

A ttainable: require an email response from employees to confirm the information was received, as well as prove they have accepted their tasks assignments.

R ealistic: all team members have access to email and the task report.

T ime-based: implement immediately and execute effective Monday.

Parent/Child Communication

You’ve most likely heard the sentiment, “children are like sponges.” Based on the historical truth that children observe their surroundings, they take on the influence of their parents.

The good news is if a child’s parent(s) are effective in their communication with their child, that child, in turn, will most likely be an effective communicator as they mature.

In addition to raising effective communicators, healthy communication between parent(s) and children results in boundless positive enforcement. Here are a few examples:

• Increased child’s self-esteem
• Instilled respect for themselves and others
• Builds trust
• Children listen to parents
• Higher feelings of security and safety

How to Set Parent/Child Communication Goals

Although it’s best to start healthy communication habits when your child is young, it’s never too late to establish parent/child communication goals. Here are some examples of types of parent/child goals:

• Send positive (instead of negative) messages
• Use age-appropriate language
• Build stronger eye contact habits
• Give undivided attention when communicating verbally
• Decrease the number of times I interrupt my child
• Respond to my child’s statements to show I heard them
• Decrease lectures and speeches
• Schedule fun weekly family meetings
• Use more “I” messages
• Be more flexible when solving problems with my child
• Work on one issue at a time, so my child and I don’t get overwhelmed.

After deciding which type of goal to pursue, create a map using the S.M.A.R.T. method and note the applicable C’s of communication.

When creating your S.M.A.R.T. goal map, take into consideration that by setting parent/child communication goals you will need more than just a task list. Children can tell when you are just going through the motions, which can negatively affect the balance in the communication between parent and child.

Romantic Partner Communication

Romantic relationships are a large part of our lives, and one that needs constant communication and fine tuning. As human connection is deeply rooted in emotion, as previously stated, so are romantic relationships. It’s no wonder that communication is so important in romantic relationships.

Strengthening your communication skills in your romantic relationships will, in turn, enhance the relationship as a whole.

How to Set Romantic Partner Communication Goals

A few examples of romantic communication goals could be:

• Listen to my partner so I can understand their communication before responding with my own
• Find the right time to communicate, instead of blurting out what I want to say whenever I immediately want to say it.
• With serious communications, communicate face to face by removing the option to text or email feelings or thoughts.
• Communicate more via text or email throughout the day so we can stay connected.
• Send physical letters and emails consistently when my partner is out of town.
• Work on my aggressive communication style.
• Decrease defensiveness by changing attack language.
• Be honest rather than communicating what I think my partner wants to hear.
• Remember that body language is communication and to actively and physically turn toward my partner instead of away from them, which communicates distance.
• When I’m angry, be determined to wait a day or two before communicating my anger so that I’m calmer and able to listen more openly.
• With each serious communication session, stop to think, listen, then speak.

With romantic relationships, it’s certainly important to focus on the seven C’s of communication because the personality of your partner will mostly depend on their nature and how they become more reception through individual communication styles.

Furthermore, just as important as communicating to your partner in a way that unites the relationship is talking to your partner the way you prefer to be addressed, spoken to, and the like

Friendship Communication

Much like romantic relationships, friendships are rooted in emotion and a prevalent presence in our lives. Although, unlike romantic relationships which need constant communication, friendship communication can ebb and flow.

Each friendship will have an individual communication style. To respect the friendship relationship, it’s important to be aware of the type of communication style for each friendship you have.

For example, one friend may prefer to communicate via text and rarely meet face to face always. Whereas, another friend may not be interested in a digital communication friendship and meet face to face constantly to catch up with each other.

As you learn to respect the communication type of your friendships, it’s equally important to communicate your preferred method of communication with each friend, so the relationship is meeting your needs too.

How to Set Friendship Communication Goals

Here are some examples of friendship goals you could implement:

• Note in a planner to connect with friends
• When life gets too busy to meet friends face to face monthly, continue communication via email, text, or Skype.
• Plan more fun experiences together, instead of constant rant fests.
• Increase the amount I ask them how they are doing.
• Take away one element of their life they communicate to me and ask them about it the next time we meet.
• Listen to friends when they say they are busy and decrease the pressure to meet face to face.
• Actively improve eye contact, so my friend knows I am engaged, which will help me listen to them more effectively .

If you choose to implement the first goal on the list (note in planner to connect with friends), your S.M.A.R.T. goal may look like:

S pecific: Note in planner every month to reach out to friends.

M easurable: can observe if catching up more often, and consistently, will improve the depth of our relationship instead of getting caught up on the surface conversations.

A ttainable: I can check in with my friends each month, even if they don’t reach out first.

R ealistic: my schedule realistically could include friend activities each month, if not more.

T ime-based: Note in my planner a month after I’ve reached out to each friend.

Value your friendships by maintaining them through communication and contact. Likewise, be aware that your friends value you enough as a friend to communicate with you as well. You can effectively communicate with your friends, but if they do not reciprocate communication, they are not respecting your friendship.

Professional Communication

Professional communication includes the types of communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual) conducted within a professional arena, as well as out of the professional field when considering outbound emails.

Secure professional communication provides the recipient with correct data accurately and understandably, along with using the seven C’s of communication.

In order to professionally communicate accurately and understandably, improving your writing (memos, emails, reports), visual (presentation graphics, social media), verbal (presentations, meetings), and nonverbal (confidence, eye contact) communication skills becomes relevant.

How to Set Professional Communication Goals

Some examples of professional communication goals are:

• Be more relatable by being a courteous communicator
• Diversify communication delivery
• Broaden the scope for employees so they can see the bigger picture (communicate the story of the business so they can feel a part of it)
• Share my purpose along with sharing the meaning of each required task
• Remain present when a coworker or subordinate is sharing
• Prioritize messages, to address the most important communications first
• Use more storytelling in my presentations to communicate in a more relatable manner
• Invest in employees by listening to their ideas and expressing my thoughts on those ideas
• Create interest in the daily grind by delivering incentives

Develop your goal map with the S.M.A.R.T. method and the seven C’s of communication in mind. Using the last professional communication goal on the list (create interest in the daily grind by communicating incentive), the S.M.A.R.T. goal map may look like:

S pecific: send weekly task report via email along with a weekly incentive for the highest producer.

M easurable: track the increase of productivity by comparing each weekly report, and communicating the positive results to the team weekly to get them revved up.

A ttainable: Examine employee behavior (increased interest in work tasks) to confirm incentive will produce positive results.

R ealistic: ensure all team members have the capability and confidence to produce high numbers by communicating with them individually.

T ime-based: spend the next week planning incentive ideas, and how they will be rated, communicate the incentives to my team via meeting on Monday. Each Friday, hand out incentive rewards.

Throughout developing your professional communication skills, gather feedback from your co-workers and subordinates. Although we may be proud of a particular presentation or memo, it may not communicate professionally or accurately.

Self-Communication

Yes, communication with ourselves is just as important as parental, personal, and professional communication. By refining our self-communication, we become more aware of ourselves and how we might impact others.

For example, communicating in a way we think is helpful toward someone might actually come off as being controlling to the other party. By observing our behaviors and talking with ourselves about those behaviors, we can become more aware and positive of how we influence or come off to others.

Additionally, self-communication will strengthen our confidence, our awareness of others’ communication styles, and become an overall happier person.

How to Set Self Communication Goals

Setting self-communication goals must begin by observing how we currently self communicate. By being fully informed of how we communicate with ourselves, we can then begin to improve certain aspects of our prove. Here are a few examples of self-communication goals:

• Examine internal dialogue and promote the positive dialogue
• Integrate mindfulness every day to continue to stay aware of my self-communication
• Utilize a journal for present self-communication, but also reference when studying my self-communication
• When communicating with others, pay more attention to their response cues to further improve the way I interact with others.

Meditation, journaling, gratitude, and self-observance strengthens self-communication. Using these means, create a goal map using the S.M.A.R.T. method and the seven C’s of communication. Utilizing the first self-communication goal (examine internal dialogue and improve positive critical), your goal map might look like:

S pecific: write in a journal at the end of each day, zoning in specifically on self talk.

M easurable: at the end of each week, read back through the journal to determine if the negative self-talk is consistently decreasing.

A ttainable: creating a habit of writing in my journal at night, in bed, and before sleep will create a consistent document that holds self-communication.

R ealistic: journaling only takes a few minutes each day.

T ime-based: I will begin journaling immediately tonight, and review journal notes each Sunday.

It’s essential to take the seven C’s of communication into account as you set and implement your S.M.A.R.T. communication goals. By only utilizing the S.M.A.R.T. method of setting communication goals without executing the values of the seven C’s, most likely you are just going through the emotions of each step checking off each step in a detached manner.

However, because human communication is deeply rooted in emotion, checking off steps in a detached manner will not accomplish any strengthening of communication skills. It’s imperative that you marry your S.M.A.R.T. goal map with the seven C’s of communication for a fully transformative goal. In other words, your goal map will guide you toward your goal, whereas the seven C’s will make those goals effective.

Establishing communication goals isn’t only a process to get us to the end point, more efficient communication, but also instills skills that we will positively utilize in multiple areas of our lives. Furthermore, although transformation occurs by reaching specific communication goals, as humans, there will always be room for growth in communication behavior.

Using the skills that have strengthened our communication with others in all areas will also transform us to more empathetic, effective, understanding, as well as a better listener, partner, parent, employee, and overall human.

What are your communication goals?

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Messaging & Face-to-Face Communication: Setting Goals

Communication plays a great role in the modern world as it ensures that people properly understand each other in different settings. The exchange of information is related to the flow, coordination, as well as learning and listening skills. In addition, communication is the basis for establishing both personal and professional relationships. I want to improve my text messaging and email communication and face-to-face interaction knowledge and skills.

The importance of face-to-face communication refers to the fact that people use it every day to translate their messages, cooperate with others, and understand what they want. Without effective communication, it is impossible to make strong connections and be effective as a team. Therefore, I believe that I should work on my verbal and non-verbal communication abilities to learn how to become an active participant in conversations. According to Hynes and Veltsos (2018), it is critical to choose proper words, maintain eye contact, and watch your posture, and it is also noted as useful to practice active listening. In other words, communication should not be perceived as for granted. Instead, effective face-to-face communication needs to be developed through both theory and practice.

As for text messaging and email communication, media and messengers allow for interacting remotely, which is important for business and personal communication. In this case, not only grammar rules, but also the structure, writing style, and purpose should be taken into account (Hynes & Veltsos, 2018). I would like to learn email communication etiquette to master my writing skills. It seems that I should focus on such strategies as defining value proposition, personalizing emails and messages, and understanding what the other person exactly wants from communication.

Hynes, G. E., & Veltsos, J. R. (2018). Managerial communication: Strategies and applications . Sage Publications.

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Why Communication Matters

We communicate to create, maintain, and change relationships and selves..

Posted July 15, 2021 | Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

• Why Relationships Matter
• Find a therapist to strengthen relationships
• How we communicate helps relationships get off on the right foot, navigate problems, and change over time.
• In communication, we develop, create, maintain, and alter our relationships.
• We communicate to work our way through family changes and challenges in verbal and non-verbal ways.

I remember seeing a poster on my junior high classroom wall: “Communication is the Beginning of Understanding.” This spoke to me at the time. Yet, like so many people, I had never really thought much about communication. I would have described communication as sending and receiving messages.

Communication Is More Than Sending and Receiving Messages

In reality, communication is often about transmitting information. We send and receive messages with people in our lives. Daily, much of our communication consists of coordinating schedules, “What time are you getting home for dinner?” and negotiating whose turn it is to do the dishes, pay the bills, or take dinner to a friend who is ill. We send messages like, “It is your turn to let the dog out” and receive messages like, “Don’t forget to get dog food at the store” (if you have not guessed, a lot of the messages in my house are about the dog).

We might also blame problems on communication, talking about “communication breakdowns” or on a “lack of communication.” If we think about communication in these ways, we have missed so much that is important about communication. We have neglected how and why communication matters.

Communication Matters to Creating and Changing Relationships

We become aware of how Communication Matters when

• We confront issues with work-life balance.
• We experience positive events like the birth of a baby or winning an award.
• We have a friend does who does not do or say what we expect.
• We have disagreements over religious beliefs or political values.

Both positive and challenging events affect, reflect, and change our identity and the identity of our personal and family relationships. What do I mean by this? How did these relationships come into being? Well, think about the last time you started a new friendship or had a new member join your family. Through what you and the other person said and did, what we’d call verbal and nonverbal communication , these relationships took shape.

Sometimes relationships develop easily and clearly. They are healthy and pleasant. Other times, relationships develop in stress and storm and may be healthy or not. How we communicate helps relationships get off on the right foot, navigate problems, and change over time.

What is important to understand is that relationships are talked into (and out of) being. In communication, we develop, create, maintain, and alter our relationships. As we communicate, we become and change who we are. Think about how you have grown and changed as you communicate at home, at work, with friends, and in your community.

Communication Matters to Relationship and Family Identity

As we communicate, we co-create relationships and our own identity. As you think about your close relationships and your family, you can likely recall important events, both positive and negative, that impacted how you understand your relationship and yourself as a person.

Consider this example: one of my college students described a childhood family ritual of going out on the front lawn on Christmas Eve. The family sang Christmas carols and threw carrots on the roof for Santa’s reindeers. The family still does this annual carrot-throwing ritual in adulthood. You can picture them bringing their sometimes confused new partners and spouses out in the snow to throw carrots onto the roof and sing.

Why does this family still throw carrots and sing? Through this seemingly silly ritual, the family celebrates who they are as a family and the togetherness that is important to them. The family creates space for new people to join the family. Through their words and actions, members of the family teach their new partners how to be family members through carrot throwing and other vital experiences.

I am sure you can point to experiences that have been central to creating your relationships and your identity.

Communication Matters as We Face Change and Challenges

We also communicate to work our way through family changes and challenges. Family members or others may have different expectations of what our family and personal identity or should be. This is especially true when a family does not fit dominant cultural models, such as single-parent families, multi-ethnic families, stepfamilies, LGBTQ families, or adoptive families.

For me, becoming a stepfamily was highly challenging. We became a stepfamily when I was 12 years old. My mother had recently died, and my Dad surprised us, kids, introducing us to the woman he wanted to marry. We no longer matched the other families in the neighborhood where we’d lived most of our lives. We certainly did not feel like a family overnight.

It took my stepfamily several years to create an understanding of what it meant to be a family. As we interacted, and with many mistakes and some successes, we slowly came to understand what we needed and expected from each other to be a family.

For all of us, relationship and family identity is constantly developing and changing. In my case, I remember my stepmom reminding me to wear a jacket when going out in the evening, even into my 40s, and giving me advice about my health. At some point, our roles changed, and now, as she moves toward her 80s, more often than not, I am in the role of asking about her health and helping her with significant decisions. What it means to be a mother or daughter and what we expect of each other and ourselves change as we interact.

Communication Matters . Whether we are negotiating whose turn it is to feed the dog, how to become a parent, how to interact with a difficult co-worker, or how to celebrate with a friend who won a major award, it is in communication that we learn what to do and say. This is what I will write about in this blog as I reflect on what I have learned as a professor and researcher of interpersonal and family communication. I invite you to go on this journey with me. I hope to give you insights into your communication.

Communication Matters. Communication is the Beginning of Understanding . It is an exciting and ever-changing journey.

Baxter, L. A. (2004). Relationships as dialogues. Personal Relationships, 11 , 1-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00068.x

Braithwaite, D. O., Foster, E. A., & Bergen, K. M. (2018). Social construction theory: Communication co-creating families. In D. O. Braithwaite, E. A. Suter, & K. Floyd. (Eds.). Engaging theories in family communication: Multiple perspectives (2nd ed., pp. 267-278). Routledge.

Braithwaite, D. O., Waldron, V. R., Allen, J., Bergquist, G., Marsh, J., Oliver, B., Storck, K., Swords, N., & Tschampl-Diesing, C. (2018). “Feeling warmth and close to her”: Communication and resilience reflected in turning points in positive adult stepchild-stepparent relationships. Journal of Family Communication, 18 , 92-109. doi: 10.1080/15267431.2017.1415902

Dawn O. Braithwaite, Ph.D., a professor of communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studies families and close relationships, especially step- and chosen families.

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Communication is key in the workplace. Here's how to improve

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Why is communication important in the workplace?

7 common types of communication in the workplace

The benefits of good communication in the workplace

8 reasons to work on your communication skills

8 ways to develop communication skills at work

How to improve communication when working remotely.

Communication, communication, communication. We all know it’s important, but communication skills can be challenging to develop and implement at work. The rise of remote and hybrid work hasn’t made it any easier, either. 

Yet, effective communication at work can be transformative for individuals, teams, and businesses. We’re here to show you why communication is important in the workplace and how to start building your and your team’s communication skills today. 

Why is effective communication important in the workplace?

Communication in the workplace is important because it boosts employee morale, engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. Communication is also key for better team collaboration and cooperation. Ultimately, effective workplace communication helps drive better results for individuals, teams, and organizations. 

To take it a step further, specifically as a manager, building good communication skills has profound short- and long-term benefits for your organization. An effective communicator is able to motivate their team to get more done with better results and fewer misunderstandings. And who doesn’t want fewer misunderstandings?

All of these things can contribute to the company’s success — and to your own personal success as a leader.

Not all work communication is made equal. We’ve all had the experience of sitting through a boring, lengthy meeting with the thought, “This should have been an email.” 

Different communication channels are ideal for different types of communication. Depending on the type of information being conveyed, those different channels can enhance — or detract — from how it is received. An effective communicator will develop different skills and tools to match the type of communication needed.

1. Leadership communication 

Leaders often deliver one-way communications to their teams. The goal may be to inform or update, such as a memo about a new company policy or a change in direction. Leaders also often communicate to persuade, encourage, and inspire commitment. They often communicate through stories more than data.

2. Upward communication 

Managers (and team members) often have to communicate with their own managers and with other leaders who are not in their direct chain of command. These may take the form of memos/emails, reports, or a slot in a standing meeting. Regardless of the format, these types of communications should be considered more formal. 

3. Updates 

Since they’re brief by nature, updates often fall short of being a type of strong communication. Use a visual tracker or dashboard to carry the load, and save your verbal or written commentary for drawing the audience’s attention to what is most important — typically, what requires action or further involvement from them. This might include surprises, obstacles, and potential risks, as well as wins.

4. Presentations

These formal communication events tend to receive the lion’s share of attention, for good reason. Presentations are communication tools that are typically aimed at a larger audience with higher stakes. They have objectives like informing, influencing, and persuading. In addition, many people fear public speaking , and thanks to TED and other series, we have a high expectation for entertainment as well as insight. 

5. Meetings 

Meetings, whether large or small, are a critical part of a workplace’s internal communication strategy . They’re also one of the least understood and most overused types of communication. Effective meetings build synergy between teams and quickly communicate information that would have a high potential to be misunderstood in another format (like email). The best meetings are highly collaborative and leave participants feeling energized, not drained.

6. Customer communications 

Communicating with customers can run the entire gamut discussed above, from one-offs to face-to-face , virtual, spoken, or written, formal to ad hoc. In general, all of the considerations of communication among employees go double for customers. Be deliberate and plan your messages to provide what your customer needs, in the way they prefer, and create a positive impression for the company and the product.

7. Informal interactions 

Informal communications include the emails and chats you engage in all day: making requests, asking for information, responding to requests, and giving or receiving support and guidance. In addition to moving the work of the organization forward, these informal communications have secondary objectives of forming social connections , building culture, establishing trust , and finding common ground.

When employees are directly involved in work products and initiatives, it helps to foster a sense of ownership in the company’s future. It also makes them want to work to improve things like the company’s profitability, customer satisfaction, and brand.

Let’s take a look at some ways that building your communication skills cascades down through your organization — and directly impacts its bottom line.

1. Better engagement

Better communication results in greater employee engagement , which is a key metric for employee productivity and potential retention. It reinforces that your people are key contributors and people who the company values for their unique skills and experience. In other words, their contribution — and input — truly make a difference. 

2. Increased morale

Team members with low job satisfaction take more time off of work, are less productive when in-office, and often negatively impact the productivity of other employees when they are present. However, when an employee has an understanding of the work that they have to do and how it connects to the overall success of the team, they bring more energy and pride to their work. 

3. Improved productivity

Better communication techniques help employees to better comprehend their roles, which in turn helps employees perform their assigned duties better. Resources and time can be saved through these techniques, therefore getting more work done and reducing stress .

4. Reduced churn

From customer support representatives to senior technical staff, experience equals value to customers and to the company. And no organization wants to waste the huge costs of recruiting and training good employees by having them leave quickly. As a key factor in employee satisfaction and engagement, communication adds value to the organization by reducing the turnover of skilled and seasoned staff members. 

5. Greater loyalty

Longer-term, keeping employees for many years can add strength to the company and impact the bottom line. Many jobs require years of experience before an employee has sufficient expertise to drive innovation, solve critical problems , and lead others. How an employee feels toward the company — based on how they feel they are treated and valued as individuals — impacts how loyal they will be.

6. Better collaboration

Most companies today use technologies that don’t require team members to be in the same room, the same building, or even the same country. This shift presents new communication challenges, which means managers can facilitate collaboration by helping groups communicate effectively when using the latest technologies. 

7. Fewer workplace conflicts

Many conflicts originate with miscommunication . Poor communication can create negative relationships or even toxic or hostile work environments . Building clear communication can improve company culture and prevent misunderstandings between managers and employees . This includes honing and refining communication styles that focus on listening to others, having empathy, and considering individual differences. 

8. Greater motivation

Psychologists have found that unless people understand the “why” of a concept, they will be less likely to understand or remember it. The same goes for many aspects of people’s work lives. As a manager, one key communication skill is hearing the “why” and following up with a “because.” This approach will help you motivate employees .

Now that you understand the importance of good communication at work, you need to know how to develop those skills. Remember: effective communication is about active listening — while it may seem counter-intuitive, a “listener-first” approach will often help you structure the delivery of your message. 

Here are 8 more tips for developing your communication skills .

1. Think it through

There are many communications frameworks, but if you want to improve your communication skills, start by getting in the habit of thinking through these 5 questions for any communication you create:

• Why are you communicating?
• Who is the receiver, audience, or participant? 
• What is your goal or objective? 
• What do you want the recipient to do as a result of the communication? 
• What format will best accomplish your goal? 

If you struggle to answer these five questions, you should spend some additional time thinking about how and why you’re communicating. Then, test your understanding with co-workers or your manager.   

2. Give it time

Plan what you want to say and review your communication to make sure it’s actually doing the job you need it to. For written communications, especially, this means: revise, revise, revise. Remember, great communication might seem effortless, but it rarely is.

3. Make it easy

Workplace communication almost always has a larger goal. People are busy. Don’t make them work too hard to understand what you are saying and what you need them to do. State your objective and main point from the beginning of a presentation or written communication so that your audience knows where you’re going. Then fill in the details.

4. Simplify

While you don’t want to condescend or “dumb it down,” in everyday work communications, be mindful of not making the other party work too hard to understand. Find a clear, simple phrasing to encapsulate your point. Repeat it at the beginning, middle, and end, and consider using a simple visual or metaphor to make your point clear and memorable.

5. Experiment and diversify

Work on developing different tactics for different communication needs. Focus on experimenting with one aspect of your communication at a time. For example, spend a week paying extra attention to how you structure informal communications. Then spend a week trying different structures for formal meetings or updates.

6. Practice and reflect

Be deliberate about reflecting on what goes well and what doesn’t in your day-to-day communications. Maybe an email to your manager didn’t go well. Can you see how it might have been misinterpreted? What would you do differently next time? Similarly, if a conversation with a co-worker didn’t yield the expected results, try to identify whether you clearly communicated what you needed. 

7. Consider the full package

Consider recording yourself through a few interactions to gain insight into what your full package is communicating in your daily interactions with your team. Do you make eye contact? Is your facial expression relaxed and confident, or tense? How’s your body language? Do you leave time for questions and clarification? 

8. Seek feedback

Ask a few trusted co-workers and your manager to rate your communication skills. Start by asking them to rate (i.e., on a scale of 1-10) your written and spoken communication separately. Then ask these 3 questions: 

• What one thing should I start doing to communicate better with you?
• What one thing should I stop doing in my communications with you?
• What one area or skill should I work on to improve how I communicate in this organization?

Communicating well is even more important for leaders and managers during remote work . Doing it well can help build trust and connection with your team and avoid some of the frustrations that come from miscommunication. 

Here are a few areas to consider to improve remote communication:

1. Clarify expectations 

State expectations upfront and repeat them at the end of a communication . Even better, ask the other person to restate their understanding of your expectations. 

2. Engage in 2-way flow 

Being remote can make it easier for employees to check out and disengage. Be deliberate and creative about giving others a role in communication. Ask questions, use polling and ranking tools, and solicit responses in the form of emojis, gifs, or one-word descriptors.   

3. Remember the power of in-person 

A lot can be misinterpreted in the flat space of text without additional cues like tone of voice and facial expression. Don’t default to communicating solely through text or chat. A well-crafted team Zoom call or in-person meeting can establish a better connection and shared understanding, giving others a chance to surface areas of misalignment.

4. Focus on quality 

People may feel protective of their time when working remotely, so make sure that live events are well-thought-out. Send agendas, meeting objectives, or background reading ahead of time to help people prepare to have productive conversations.

5. Create an informal space 

Assuming good intentions and a sharing culture are both foundational for effective day-to-day communication at work. That said, they’re hard to build and maintain without opportunities for casual interaction like happy hours or non-work Slack channels . 

6. Show you care 

You don’t have to spend a lot of time checking in with people and asking about their personal lives. But, now more than ever, it’s worth reminding yourself that the recipients of your communications are real people who have their own challenges, distractions, hopes, and fears. Before getting on a video call or firing off an email, try picturing that person on the other end.

Start communicating better today

Every year communication tops the list of skills in demand by employers. There's a reason. Communication is what makes our professional and personal relationships go smoothly. It's how we show care, catalyze change, and get things done. Business coaching for your team and yourself can help with this skill.

That's reason enough to improve — and keep improving — these important skills. Luckily, we can all learn to communicate better.

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Allaya Cooks-Campbell

With over 15 years of content experience, Allaya Cooks Campbell has written for outlets such as ScaryMommy, HRzone, and HuffPost. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified yoga instructor as well as a certified Integrative Wellness & Life Coach. Allaya is passionate about whole-person wellness, yoga, and mental health.

How to handle gossip in the workplace and encourage communication

What is nonverbal communication 10 different types (with examples), leverage love languages at work to improve your office culture, foster strong communication skills to enjoy professional success, 10 essential workplace skills for success, team collaboration 101: learning the art of working together, nonverbal communication in the workplace: the secret to team trust, why face-to-face communication matters (even with remote work), improve your interpersonal communication skills with these 6 tips, similar articles, 18 effective strategies to improve your communication skills, why workplace flexibility matters and 4 ways to offer it, what is asynchronous communication, 6 proven ways to create a culture of engagement, feedback in communication: 5 areas to become a better communicator, 8 types of internal communication (and 4 factors that matter most), stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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8 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills

Your guide to establishing better communication habits for success in the workplace.

Mary Sharp Emerson

A leader’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively with employees, within teams, and across the organization is one of the foundations of a successful business.

And in today’s complex and quickly evolving business environment, with hundreds of different communication tools, fully or partially remote teams, and even multicultural teams spanning multiple time zones, effective communication has never been more important — or more challenging.

Thus, the ability to communicate might be a manager’s most critical skill. 

The good news is that these skills can be learned and even mastered. 

These eight tips can help you maximize your communication skills for the success of your organization and your career.

1. Be clear and concise

Communication is primarily about word choice. And when it comes to word choice, less is more.

The key to powerful and persuasive communication — whether written or spoken — is clarity and, when possible, brevity. 

Before engaging in any form of communication, define your goals and your audience. 

Outlining carefully and explicitly what you want to convey and why will help ensure that you include all necessary information. It will also help you eliminate irrelevant details. 

Avoid unnecessary words and overly flowery language, which can distract from your message.

And while repetition may be necessary in some cases, be sure to use it carefully and sparingly. Repeating your message can ensure that your audience receives it, but too much repetition can cause them to tune you out entirely. 

2. Prepare ahead of time

Know what you are going to say and how you are going to say before you begin any type of communication.

However, being prepared means more than just practicing a presentation. 

Preparation also involves thinking about the entirety of the communication, from start to finish. Research the information you may need to support your message. Consider how you will respond to questions and criticisms. Try to anticipate the unexpected.

Before a performance review, for instance, prepare a list of concrete examples of your employee’s behavior to support your evaluation.

Before engaging in a salary or promotion negotiation, know exactly what you want. Be ready to discuss ranges and potential compromises; know what you are willing to accept and what you aren’t. And have on hand specific details to support your case, such as relevant salaries for your position and your location (but be sure that your research is based on publicly available information, not company gossip or anecdotal evidence). 

Before entering into any conversation, brainstorm potential questions, requests for additional information or clarification, and disagreements so you are ready to address them calmly and clearly.

3. Be mindful of nonverbal communication

Our facial expressions, gestures, and body language can, and often do, say more than our words. 

Nonverbal cues can have between 65 and 93 percent more impact than the spoken word. And we are more likely to believe the nonverbal signals over spoken words if the two are in disagreement. 

Leaders must be especially adept at reading nonverbal cues. 

Employees who may be unwilling to voice disagreements or concerns, for instance, may show their discomfort through crossed arms or an unwillingness to make eye contact. If you are aware of others’ body language, you may be able to adjust your communication tactics appropriately.

At the same time, leaders must also be able to control their own nonverbal communications. 

Your nonverbal cues must, at all times, support your message. At best, conflicting verbal and nonverbal communication can cause confusion. At worst, it can undermine your message and your team’s confidence in you, your organization, and even in themselves. 

4. Watch your tone

How you say something can be just as important as what you say. As with other nonverbal cues, your tone can add power and emphasis to your message, or it can undermine it entirely.

Tone can be an especially important factor in workplace disagreements and conflict. A well-chosen word with a positive connotation creates good will and trust. A poorly chosen word with unclear or negative connotations can quickly lead to misunderstanding. 

When speaking, tone includes volume, projection, and intonation as well as word choice. In real time, it can be challenging to control tone to ensure that it matches your intent. But being mindful of your tone will enable you to alter it appropriately if a communication seems to be going in the wrong direction.

Tone can be easier to control when writing. Be sure to read your communication once, even twice, while thinking about tone as well as message. You may even want to read it out loud or ask a trusted colleague to read it over, if doing so does not breach confidentiality. 

And when engaging in a heated dialogue over email or other written medium, don’t be too hasty in your replies. 

If at all possible, write out your response but then wait for a day or two to send it. In many cases, re-reading your message after your emotions have cooled allows you to moderate your tone in a way that is less likely to escalate the conflict.

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5. Practice active listening

Communication nearly always involves two or more individuals.

Therefore, listening is just as important as speaking when it comes to communicating successfully. But listening can be more challenging than we realize. 

In her blog post Mastering the Basics of Communication , communication expert Marjorie North notes that we only hear about half of what the other person says during any given conversation. 

The goal of active listening is to ensure that you hear not just the words the person is saying, but the entire message. Some tips for active listening include:

• Giving the speaker your full and undivided attention
• Clearing your mind of distractions, judgements, and counter-arguments. 
• Avoiding the temptation to interrupt with your own thoughts.
• Showing open, positive body language to keep your mind focused and to show the speaker that you are really listening
• Rephrase or paraphrase what you’ve heard when making your reply
• Ask open ended questions designed to elicit additional information

6. Build your emotional intelligence

Communication is built upon a foundation of emotional intelligence. Simply put, you cannot communicate effectively with others until you can assess and understand your own feelings. 

“If you’re aware of your own emotions and the behaviors they trigger, you can begin to manage these emotions and behaviors,” says Margaret Andrews in her post, How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence .

Leaders with a high level of emotional intelligence will naturally find it easier to engage in active listening, maintain appropriate tone, and use positive body language, for example.  

Understanding and managing your own emotions is only part of emotional intelligence. The other part — equally important for effective communication — is empathy for others.

Empathizing with an employee can, for example, make a difficult conversation easier. 

You may still have to deliver bad news, but (actively) listening to their perspective and showing that you understand their feelings can go a long way toward smoothing hurt feelings or avoiding misunderstandings.

7. Develop a workplace communication strategy

Today’s workplace is a constant flow of information across a wide variety of formats. Every single communication must be understood in the context of that larger flow of information.

Even the most effective communicator may find it difficult to get their message across without a workplace communication strategy.

A communication strategy is the framework within which your business conveys and receives information. It can — and should — outline how and what you communicate to customers and clients, stakeholders, and managers and employees. 

Starting most broadly, your strategy should incorporate who gets what message and when. This ensures that everyone receives the correct information at the right time. 

It can be as detailed as how you communicate, including defining the type of tools you use for which information. For example, you may define when it’s appropriate to use a group chat for the entire team or organization or when a meeting should have been summarized in an email instead. 

Creating basic guidelines like this can streamline the flow of information. It will help ensure that everyone gets the details they need and that important knowledge isn’t overwhelmed by extraneous minutia. 

8. Create a positive organizational culture

The corporate culture in which you are communicating also plays a vital role in effective communication. 

In a positive work environment — one founded on transparency, trust, empathy, and open dialogue — communication in general will be easier and more effective. 

Employees will be more receptive to hearing their manager’s message if they trust that manager. And managers will find it easier to create buy-in and even offer constructive criticism if they encourage their employees to speak up, offer suggestions, and even offer constructive criticisms of their own. 

“The most dangerous organization is a silent one,” says Lorne Rubis in a blog post, Six Tips for Building a Better Workplace Culture . Communication, in both directions, can only be effective in a culture that is built on trust and a foundation of psychological safety.

Authoritative managers who refuse to share information, aren’t open to suggestions, and refuse to admit mistakes and accept criticism are likely to find their suggestions and criticisms met with defensiveness or even ignored altogether. 

Without that foundation of trust and transparency, even the smallest communication can be misconstrued and lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict.

Communicating with co-workers and employees is always going to present challenges. There will always be misunderstandings and miscommunications that must be resolved and unfortunately, corporate messages aren’t always what we want to hear, especially during difficult times.

But building and mastering effective communication skills will make your job easier as a leader, even during difficult conversations. Taking the time to build these skills will certainly be time well-spent. 

Want to build your skills? Find the program that’s right for you.

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About the Author

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Emerson is a Digital Content Producer at Harvard DCE. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Yale University and started her career as an international affairs analyst. She is an avid triathlete and has completed three Ironman triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon.

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Essay on Communication in 100, 200 and 300 Words: The Essence of Survival

• Updated on  
• Oct 20, 2023

Do you know how important it is to communicate with others? Communication is the primary means through which individuals share information, ideas and thoughts. Communication fosters strong relationships. In this essence, writing an essay on communication becomes important where you highlight the importance of communication, how it affects our everyday lives and what skills are required to become a communication professional . Let’s explore all these questions with some essays on communication.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Communication in 100 Words
• 2 Essay on Communication in 200 Words
• 3 Essay on Communication in 300 Words

Also Read: Essay on Freedom Fighters

Essay on Communication in 100 Words

Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction and is crucial to sharing ideas, thoughts and information. By communicating, people foster relationships, which is vital for personal and professional growth. Effective communication facilitates understanding, resolves conflicts, and promotes collaboration. Whether verbal or nonverbal, it forms the basis of successful teamwork, decision-making, and social integration.

Clear communication is key to a harmonious society, nurturing empathy, and building trust. It encourages brainstorming, creative thinking, and the development of new solutions to complex problems. Its impact is profound, shaping the way we interact, learn, and evolve, making it an indispensable tool for human connection and progress. 

Essay on Communication in 200 Words

What makes communication important is that it serves as the bedrock for exchanging ideas, information, and emotions. It is the essence of human interaction, enabling us to convey our thoughts, beliefs, and intentions to others. Effective communication is essential in every aspect of life, whether in personal relationships, professional environments, or social interactions.

Effective communication can form the basis of trust and mutual understanding and understanding. In personal relationships, communication fosters understanding and empathy, allowing individuals to express their feelings and needs, while also listening to and acknowledging others. 

In the professional realm. Communication allows the smooth functioning of organizations. With communication, individuals can disseminate information, set clear expectations and encourage collaboration among team members. Moreover, effective communication in the workplace enhances productivity and promotes a positive work culture.

The uses and benefits of communication are not limited to just personal and professional realms. In social environments also, communication allows diverse groups to understand each other’s cultures, beliefs, and values, promoting inclusivity and harmony in society.

You can call communication a fundamental pillar of human existence, as it helps in shaping our relationships, work environments, and societal interactions. Its effective practice is essential for nurturing empathy, building trust, and fostering a more connected and understanding world.

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of English Language

Essay on Communication in 300 Words

How crucial communication is can be explained by the fact that it allows the smooth transfer of ideas, thoughts, feelings and information. Communication is the lifeblood of human interaction, playing a crucial role in the exchange of ideas, information, and emotions. It serves as the cornerstone of relationships, both personal and professional, and is integral to the functioning of society as a whole. 

In personal relationships, it is essential to have effective communication for clear understanding and empathy. It allows individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs, while also providing a platform for active listening and mutual support. Strong communication fosters trust and intimacy, enabling individuals to build meaningful and lasting connections with others.

Without communication, you might struggle for organizational success in the professional world. Clear and effective communication within a team or workplace ensures that tasks are understood, roles are defined, and goals are aligned. It enables efficient collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making, contributing to a positive and productive work environment. Moreover, effective communication between employers and employees promotes a sense of transparency and fosters a healthy work culture.

In a broader sense, communication is vital for social integration and cultural understanding. It bridges the gaps between diverse groups, facilitating the exchange of values, beliefs, and perspectives. Effective communication fosters inclusivity and respect for cultural differences, contributing to a more harmonious and cohesive community.

However, communication is not just about sharing information and ideas. It also encompasses nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, all of which play a significant role in conveying meaning and emotions. It is the glue that binds individuals and communities together, fostering understanding, empathy, and collaboration. Practicing clear and empathetic communication is vital for creating a more connected, inclusive, and harmonious world.

Related Articles:

Communication is the process of exchanging ideas, information, thoughts and feelings between individuals or groups through the use of verbal and nonverbal methods.

To write an essay on communication, you need to describe what communication is, what the importance of communication in our lives and how it can help us know different aspects of life.

To become an effective communicator, you must become an active listener and understand what others have to say. You must learn to express your thoughts clearly and concisely. You also need to ensure your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice perfectly align with your ideas.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Essay on Importance of Communication for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of communication:.

Communication is one of the important tools that aid us to connect with people. Either you are a student or a working professional, good communication is something that will connect you far ahead. Proper communication can help you to solve a number of issues and resolve problems. This is the reason that one must know how to communicate well. The skills of communication essential to be developed so that you are able to interact with people. And able to share your thoughts and reach out to them. All this needs the correct guidance and self-analysis as well.

Meaning of Communication

The word communication is basically a process of interaction with the people and their environment . Through such type of interactions, two or more individuals influence the ideas, beliefs, and attitudes of each other.

Such interactions happen through the exchange of information through words, gestures, signs, symbols, and expressions. In organizations, communication is an endless process of giving and receiving information and to build social relationships.

Importance of Communication

Communication is not merely essential but the need of the hour. It allows you to get the trust of the people and at the same time carry better opportunities before you. Some important points are as follows –

Help to Build Relationships 

No matter either you are studying or working, communication can aid you to build a relationship with the people. If you are studying you communicate with classmates and teachers to build a relationship with them. Likewise in offices and organizations too, you make relationships with the staff, your boss and other people around.

Improve the Working Environment 

There are a number of issues which can be handled through the right and effective communication. Even planning needs communication both written as well as verbal. Hence it is essential to be good in them so as to fill in the communication gap.

Foster strong team

Communication helps to build a strong team environment in the office and other places. Any work which requires to be done in a team. It is only possible if the head communicates everything well and in the right direction.

Find the right solutions

Through communication, anyone can find solutions to even serious problems. When we talk, we get ideas from people that aid us to solve the issues. This is where communication comes into play. Powerful communication is the strength of any organization and can help it in many ways.

Earns more respect

If your communication skills are admirable, people will love and give you respect. If there is any problem, you will be the first person to be contacted. Thus it will increase your importance. Hence you can say that communications skills can make a big change to your reputation in society.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Don’t Go Overboard With Your Point

The conversation is about to express your thoughts. And to let the other person know what you feel. It is not mean to prove that your point is correct and the other person is wrong. Don’t Overboard other With Your Point.

Watch Your Words

Before you say something to Watch Your Words. At times, out of anger or anxiousness, we say somethings that we must not say. Whenever you are in a professional meeting or in some formal place, where there is a necessity of communicating about your product or work then it is advised to practice the same beforehand

Communication is the greatest importance. It is important to sharing out one’s thoughts and feelings to live a fuller and happier life. The more we communicate the less we suffer and the better we feel about everything around. However, it is all the more necessary to learn the art of effective communication to put across ones point well.

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6-Step Guide to Crafting the Perfect Communication Plan

A communication plan is a key to developing an effective and consistent messaging strategy.

It helps guide the process of setting measurable goals for your strategy, profiling your target audience and creating and successfully delivering your message.

What is a Communication Plan

Components of a Communication Plan

Steps to communication planning, step 1 – perform a situation analysis, swot analysis, pest analysis, perceptual map, step 2 – identify and define objectives / goals, step 3 – understand and profile your key audience, step 4 – decide the media channels and create a strategy, step 5 – create a timetable for publishing, step 6 – monitor and evaluate the results, common mistakes to avoid when creating communications plans, faqs about communication plans, what’s your approach to writing a communication plan, what is a communication plan.

A communication plan outlines how teams can communicate important information to key stakeholders. It highlights what information should be shared, when, to which audience and via which channels.

Having a solid communication plan in place will help ensure that the communication objectives of your organization are met and that all assets that you send out are aligned with the core communications strategy of the company.

In marketing and public relations, communication plans are used to plan how important information about products and services will be communicated to target audiences, including customers, clients, media and the general public. Companies also use communication plans to maintain consistent and effective internal communications within the organization. These may include internal newsletters, intranet updates and team Wikis. In project management, communication plans are used to highlight how information will be communicated within teams and relevant stakeholders, throughout the lifecycle of the project. Overall, communications plans offer a structured approach to plan, implement and evaluate communication efforts to optimize the effectiveness of communications.

Use this communication plan template to develop your strategy and deploy it.

Why is a Communication Plan Essential?

Clear communication is the backbone of any successful initiative. A communication plan ensures that everyone is on the same page, reducing the risk of confusion, missed deadlines, and unmet expectations. It fosters trust, ensures transparency, and can be the difference between project success and failure.

Who Should Use a Communication Plan?

A communication plan isn’t just for large corporations or project managers. It’s for anyone aiming to streamline interactions, whether you’re a small business owner, a team leader, or an individual looking to improve personal projects. Understanding your audience and tailoring your communication strategy to them is the first step.

When Should You Implement a Communication Plan?

The best time to implement a communication plan is at the onset of a project or initiative. However, it’s never too late. Whether you’re starting a new project, revamping an old one, or looking to improve ongoing communications, a well-structured plan can make a difference.

Where Does a Communication Plan Apply?

While often associated with business projects, communication plans apply everywhere: from community events, educational programs, to personal projects. Any scenario that requires organized communication can benefit.

Your communications plan should include the following key elements.

1. Target Audience

Who is Your Target Audience? All strategic communications should be directed at a specific audience. Accordingly, the message you send out should be tailored to their level of knowledge, understanding and trust in your brand or organization.

What is the Context of Your Message? The next step is to define the context of your message. Identify key events that may be significant to the audience that you are aiming to reach. The context defines what should be included in the message and how your audience will relate and respond to it.

3. Outcomes

What Do You Aim to Achieve with Your Message? The outcome of your message is the ‘call to action’. Define what people need to know, believe and do after receiving the message. Create a ‘message pyramid’ with an attention grabbing headline, followed by ‘reasons why’ and proof points. This helps the audience understand your core message and then consider the proof points which are relevant to their context, and there by act based on your call-to-action.

Which Media Channels Will You Use? Media are the channels through which your message is communicated. These may vary depending on the content, context and audience of the message. For instance, if you want to reach a younger tech-savvy audience, you may choose a social media platform that may be popular among them.

5. Messengers

How Will You Choose Your Messengers? The primary messenger may not always be the most ‘effective’ messenger. The messenger’s ethos should resonate credibility, status and power, expertise and relationship.

Why do most companies get their CEOs or members of the senior management to conduct new product launches or convey important product information? It is because audiences tend to have confidence in people with big titles who have an influence in the organization. They are also experts in their subject area and have a strong relationship with the company.

6. Measurement

How Will You Measure Success? It is important to cultivate strategies to measure the effectiveness of your communications. Include KPIs for your communication activities and document the results. This also helps build a repository of information which will be useful when planning future communications activities.

Whether you are creating a marketing communication plan or a strategic communication plan, the following steps will help guide you.

Situation analysis helps assess the capabilities of and health of things in an organization. It’s the ideal way to understand the current status of your organization’s communication.

You can gather as much information as needed from conducting an audit .

To gather relevant information from situation analysis, you can consult departmental heads, process owners and other internal staff members.

In a situation analysis, you need to examine both the internal and external environments. To do so, you can use the following tools

You can use a SWOT analysis to examine the strengths and weaknesses within your organization, and opportunities and threats that you can find in your external environment.

With a PEST analysis , you can examine political, environmental, social and technological factors, all of which exist in the external environment of your organization, but can have a significant impact on the way things run in your business.

One good competitor analysis technique is the perceptual map. It helps you make sense of how your customers perceive the brands of your competitors in the market compared to yours.

Once you know where you stand, you can find your direction. The next step is to define your goals.

Think of what outcomes/results you want to achieve from your communication plan. These will become your goal/s as you develop your communication plan.

Make sure that the goals you select are SMART :

Who are you creating this communication plan for? Understanding your audience and their requirements, characteristics etc. is key to creating an effective message and delivering it successfully.

Your key audience could be within your organization or your customers. Either way, you should gather information on them and create simple audience personas.

These personas could include a variety of data that ranges from their age and gender to the challenges they face.

As you conduct research on your target audience you would get to know that their requirements and preferences are diverse.

It’s clear that you won’t be able to reach all of them through one media channel or retain their attention with one type of content.

Consider the most effective channels you can think of when creating your media channel strategy. Make sure to select the ideal channel when you are targeting different audience segments.

When do you want your audience to hear your message and how often? Have a content calendar or create a Gantt chart outlining a timeframe for your publishing strategy.

You may also need to take the resources available to you into consideration. If you have one content writer, publishing quality blog posts on a daily basis would be ineffective.

Constantly monitor and track your results in order to understand whether you are any closer to achieving your goals. If you have failed, proceed to mark it down so you can make necessary improvements next time.

Creating a communication plan for your non profit organization? Check out this resource for some great tips.

Overcomplicating the Plan

Trying to include too many channels or too much information may complicate the plan. This can lead to confusion and dilute the effectiveness of your messaging. Stick only to key messaging and channels that are most effective in reaching and engaging the target audience.

Not Considering the Timing

Timing is crucial in communication planning. It is important to consider the timing of the messaging and ensure that they are aligned with key events or milestones. Don’t send out important communications during periods of high volume or noise, such as during holidays or major news events.

Not Adapting to Changes

Communication plans should be adaptable and flexible to changes in environment or audience. It is important to regularly review and update plans to keep up with emerging trends (to make sure that your plan stays relevant and effective). Failing to adapt to changes may cause missed opportunities and ineffective messaging.

How often should a communications plan be updated?

A communications plan should be updated regularly to reflect changes in the organization’s goals, priorities, audiences, or external environment. The frequency of updates will depend on the pace of change in the organization and the industry. A good rule of thumb is to review the communications plan annually and update it as needed. However, if there are major changes in the organization, such as a merger, acquisition, or crisis, the communications plan should be updated immediately to ensure that communication is timely, accurate, and effective.

How can an organization measure the effectiveness of its communications plan?

An organization can measure the effectiveness of its communications plan by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to its communication goals and objectives. These KPIs may include website traffic, social media engagement, email open rates, media coverage, customer satisfaction surveys, or sales figures. By tracking these KPIs over time, the organization can assess whether its communication activities are achieving the desired results and make adjustments as needed. It’s important to set realistic goals and benchmarks for each KPI and to ensure that the data is collected consistently and accurately. Additionally, feedback from stakeholders, such as customers, employees, and investors, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the organization’s communication activities.

A successful communication plan will get your message delivered across to your audience effectively while ensuring that you are on track to accomplishing your business objectives.

Follow the simple steps above to create a winning communication plan. If you have any other tips, do share them with us in the comment section below.

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

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Amanda Athuraliya is the communication specialist/content writer at Creately, online diagramming and collaboration tool. She is an avid reader, a budding writer and a passionate researcher who loves to write about all kinds of topics.

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Communication Goals - Essay Example

• Subject: Miscellaneous
• Type: Essay
• Level: Ph.D.
• Pages: 2 (500 words)
• Downloads: 24
• Author: jay36

Extract of sample "Communication Goals"

A goal presupposes an area of weakness in a system. In this case, the system being referred to is communication. The word “communication” can mean several things: the exchange of information between two people, the act of communicating information, a message spoken or written, and so on. A goal of communication encompasses all of these different senses of communication. A well-structured goal addresses the actual exchange of information, the act of exchanging this information, and the message itself.

A holistic approach to developing my skills as a communicator is necessary for my personal growth.In order to improve my communicative abilities with other people, I need to assess my current strengths and weaknesses. My strengths in communication consist of my ability to say what I really need to say in certain situations, being honest, being clear and concise, and being on-topic when it is necessary. My weaknesses in communication arise directly from my strengths. My directness in communication puts some people off, such as with my brutal honesty.

Sometimes being too clear and concise in what I am saying leaves people unable or unwilling to connect to me.The underlying key to my communication goals and success, I have decided is to remain conscious of context. Context is important in establishing expectations for both the speaker and the listener. The barriers I face to successful communication with my peers and superiors lie in how I am accustomed to speaking to others. Being so short with words is a habit, and like all habits, it has to be broken for me to achieve my goals.

The means of breaking habits and realizing success in communication is in practicing the opposite of the current practice. Doing the opposite of what I usually do will leave me open to a new way of doing things, which should hypothetically allow me to pursue communication methods that are less direct, more friendly, and more context-driven.My first goal in communication is being more dynamic in my speaking. By “dynamic”, I mean being full of energy, enthusiasm, and sense of purpose. Being dynamic with one’s communication leaves one able to both get things going and to get things done.

Of course, being dynamic also means being agile as well, which goes back to the concept of context. Knowing one’s context is perhaps the most important factor for all successful and productive interaction: it defines expectations and shapes the message being conveyed. Dynamicity defines whether one is able to be fluid in how he or she sends the message and whether those transfers of information is successful or not.My second goal in communication is being more conscious of motivation, which is another very important factor in determining the success of an interaction between two people.

Understanding another person’s motivation helps one understand how to deliver the message, and what information should be left out in the current context and what should be included. Right now, my using very clear and direct language does not include a personalized feel to my messages. When I convey information now, it is left out there for people to individually interpret and use. By understanding my audience’s motivation, I can more effectively correspond with them on important issues, and get them behind me by appealing to their needs and wants when I need their support.

As a habit, my current communication style must be broken through a series of steps. First, I need to decide that breaking the habit is a worthy exercise. After I decide it is, I need to keep track of my interactions in a journal, which I keep handy to measure my progress: writing down the situation, the context, and my feelings. After the fact, I should interpret the event and think about a more positive way to deal with the situation. Eventually, I can begin to catch myself before acting and perhaps change my action at its source.

At this point, I can start to develop new communicative habits. An alternative behavior will become the new habit, and I will have accomplished my communication goals.

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