communication

Graphic of people miscommunicating Preventing Workplace MiscommunicationWhen one person says something that the other one misinterprets—a very common type of workplace miscommunication—the conversation often moves on with neither party realizing what happened. Being able to discover a misinterpretation and straighten it out before it escalates into a serious tangle is an important skill.
Person holding magnifying glass, photo by Mar Newhall Why You Should Have an Observer on Your Project TeamIf your project team suffers from misunderstandings or squabbles, it may be valuable to designate an observer role. This person would sit back and pay attention to whether there are patterns of miscommunication, interruptions, or conflicts that those in the conversations may not notice, helping resolve problems.
Two people communicating effectively The Subtle Art of Diplomatic Communication with Project SponsorsIt’s an art to balance project sponsors’ need for timely and accurate information with being diplomatic in how and when that information is delivered. Diplomacy is about tact—communicating in tough situations without antagonizing anyone more than necessary. Here are eight keys to diplomatic, effective communication.
Pack of lions How You Can Help the Human Animals in Your Group ThriveOn our teams, we deal with many individuals with diverse perspectives. It's not always easy, but we are animals, and many animals live and work—and are only able to survive—in teams. You can look to how animals interact with and react to each other to see how we, as human animals, can not just survive, but thrive.
Microphone To Sound Intelligent and Articulate, Enunciate as You SpeakIf people have to guess what you’re saying, they may discount even your best ideas. If you can’t tell whether you’re pronouncing and enunciating your words well, record your presentation practice sessions or read a few paragraphs from a book to monitor the clarity of your speech. Your listeners will thank you.
Two rocks balancing Balance Technical and Social Skills for Project Success

Software testing is a socio-technical undertaking, which means that effective test strategies must incorporate a balance of technical capabilities relating to processes and tools and social capabilities used for communication and problem-solving. This balance enables true project success.

Manager considering an idea How to Get Management to Really Consider Your IdeasA key to getting management buy-in is identifying the issues that matter most to those at the top, then documenting and communicating how your services, products, or projects can address those issues. Like everyone else, executives want to succeed. Here's how you can build a persuasive case.
People communicating with speech bubbles What Does Effective Communication Really Mean?The ability to communicate effectively is not just nice to have, but a must-have for many IT positions. Still, the term “communication skills” is vague, and it’s reasonable to ask what it actually entails. Think about making a list of communication skills to use when evaluating job candidates—or job hunting yourself.