Have you ever worked with a group and over time realised how wrong your initial impression was. Did you find that the joker in the group enjoys making sarcastic fun of others while they can’t stand being made fun of? Or that the pleasant, homely looking woman at the reception is a vicious gossip?

Place a group of different personalities in the same room for eight hours a day, five days a week, add the stress of deadlines and target, and you have a recipe for disaster. No matter how well intentioned and intellectually compatible the group of people may look, inevitably, there will be squabbles over this or that.

Many of the minor issues blow over on their own, but a few can turn into major disputes.

Since the late 1990s, companies have been dependent on e-mail as their primary connection within the office and with the outside world.

Some people sitting just a cubicle apart or in the same house prefer to WhatsApp one another. We’ve become so reliant on our computers and smart phones that we’ve neglected the art of conversation.

Your best intentions could lead to war.

Technology is wonderful for improving speed, but it can have a detrimental effect on personal relationships. How many times have you sent an e-mail with the best of intentions, only to have its message misconstrued at the other end? A brief response sent in haste can easily be misinterpreted as a lack of care or worse, as a sign that you’re angry.

Most of the meaning construed in conversation comes not from the words themselves, but from the speaker’s facial expressions and body language. Take gestures and smiles out of the equation, and recipients can easily get the wrong idea, especially when the sender isn’t the most articulate writer.

Be sensitive

Organisations (and by this I mean any structure bringing people together for a common objective) need to create an environment that communicates understanding and sensitivity to the needs of all their employees, no matter what their culture or religion.

That includes providing vegetarian or halal options in the cafeteria, allowing employees to take time off for religious holidays, and providing sensitivity training to help staff members understand and appreciate their co-workers. Try to offer solutions if there is a problem. Don’t forget to give positive feedback, too.

Empathise

A common objective is about teamwork, so in order to work effectively, it’s essential to be open to the opinion of others, and to understand their position on an issue. It’s about give and take. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes is often a good way to improve workplace communication skills. Make a point of asking questions.

Patience

If you rush what you say, others may find it difficult to comprehend you. Similarly, if you are impatient for others to get to the point, you are more likely to lose focus and may not hear what they are saying.

Clarity

When you speak to others, whether they are clients, colleagues or your boss, it is prudent to be direct. If you dither around the point, or seem uncertain about what you are saying, others are less likely to listen to you. Before heading into a meeting, note down exactly what you need to say in point form, which you can refer to if needed. This will help ensure you stay on point and not miss anything important.

Confidence and good communication go hand in hand. Many people aren’t naturally gifted speakers. It takes practice to improve both written and verbal communication skills in public.

In the last few weeks, we have talked extensively about communication. This has been deliberate because effective communication has led to the greatest revolutions known to man. More has been achieved through effective communication than from the barrel of a gun. However, generations have been lost as a result of a negative message communicated right. Just look at communism. Invest in being an effective communicator and you will get what you desire most of the time.