Common Communication Blunders That Can Kill Your Credibility

How you communicate and conduct yourself in the workplace will guide how people interact with you. Many times, we don’t even realize we are making communication mistakes that make us appear inconsiderate, unaware or sometimes incompetent. Of course, it’s easier to notice these kinds of communication slip-ups in other people than it is to see them in ourselves.

Here are the six most common credibility-killing communication blunders, and the strategies you can use to overcome them to ensure your reputation remains stellar.

 

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1. Filler Words: When we’re nervous or stalling or sometimes simply out of habit, useless words like “eh, ha-ha, you know, huh and like” fill in the gaps in our conversations. Maybe you’ve noticed that you end every sentence with “Right?” or “You Know?” Filler words add no value, and they can distract your audience and cause you to lose engagement when your listeners can’t focus on the real meaning of your message.

Of course, an occasional “um” or “you know” is no big deal. Most people don’t even notice them unless they are extreme. If you find that you’re using crutch words excessively, shorten or pause between sentences. If it applies, tell a story about what you’re saying because stories have a more natural flow.

 

2. Uptalk: This happens when you end every sentence with a rising tone, as if you are asking a question, even when you are not. When you end what you're saying with a questioning tone, people may see you as hesitant, unsure of yourself or passive, which can hurt your credibility.

You want to come across as confident and certain rather than tentative, so focus on speaking with authority and confidence. If uptalk is something that’s entered your communication habits, think about making your statements sound more like a fact rather than a question.

 

3. Talking Too Much. Recent statistics showed that people spend 80 percent of their social media posts and 60 percent of their conversations talking about themselves. There are a lot of different reasons for doing this. Sometimes talking about yourself feels comfortable when you are nervous, or you are trying to impress someone with your knowledge. It may be a lack of impulse control, or you just like giving your opinion.

The best conversations are a give and take between talking and listening. With this balance, you learn more and build stronger relationships with the other person, particularly if you can draw the other person out and listen while they speak. If you struggle with this, challenge yourself to staying silent and focusing on the other person. Remember that listening can be very gratifying because it helps you connect with others. 

 

4. Thinking You’ve Been Understood. We’ve all experienced a time when your wires were crossed with another person. You may have asked someone to do something or meet somewhere and you think they’ve agreed, but they don’t follow through. Another bad communication habit is not taking the time to check that your message has been understood. This can happen when you don’t ask any or the right questions, and neither does the listener. 

You can never assume that someone you are talking to is in the same mental place that you are. Before you start talking, consider who’s listening to you and tailor your words to them. Even if they’re nodding, there can be a disconnect, so be sure to ask if they have any questions.

If you’re listening to someone who is rambling or not expressing themselves in a way that you understand, ask questions like “Can you to clarify one point?” You can also try repeating something back to the person to make sure you’ve understood correctly.

 

5. Body Language: The biggest thing people notice in face-to-face communication is body language. Body language sends a message about who you are. Not only does it convey what you are saying, but also what you are not saying. If you’re fidgeting, scowling or glancing at the clock repeatedly, those actions send their own message. To come across as credible and possessing a healthy self-confidence, your body language needs to reflect that.

Are you standing straight and engaged with others while the conversation is taking place, or are you slumping? If you are sitting, are you leaning in and conveying interest, or are you slouching or leaning back with your arms crossed? Be aware of how you are perceived by others so you can break this habit.

 

6. Avoiding Difficult Conversations: Instead of speaking up, we may choose to avoid potential conflicts. Instead, we simmer on our problems or differences, rather than tactfully and directly addressing them. This kind of communication helps bridge differences and build stronger relationships, so speak up about what you need or want can be done with tact.

It’s ok to be uncomfortable when asking for what you need. The people around us aren’t mind readers, and often they aren’t intentionally doing things to annoy us. For example, if a colleague always gives you the report you need at the last minute, they may not realize how this impacts your work. Enter these types of conversations, assuming they don’t.

When you assume positive intent, it makes the conversation more calm from the outset. And remember that having a good relationship with this person will make these difficult interactions easier.

 

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