Communication is key! It is one of the most important aspects of a job (or an Internship). Poor communication in the workplace can create conflict and damage relationships. Here are some tips for effective workplace communication:

1. Respect Cultural Differences

To illustrate this point, let us share with you a little story: “The President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, visited Australia in 1992. During one of his visits to the countryside, he flashed the peace sign to some farmers. What he did not know was that for the farmers, it was a really disrespectful sign…” Fortunately, that anecdote did not create a diplomatic incident; moreover, miscommunication could lead to a serious workplace problem. Be aware of your co-workers' culture to properly understand their communication and adapt your behaviour to the Australian environment.

2. Give and Receive Feedback

Feedback is key for effective communication and good comprehension. It is a two-way street. Your co-workers need to know that you understand what they have told you or asked you to do. It is also important to receive feedback about your work to know what you need to improve and what you have done well. It is a big part of your motivation. Feedback is useful in other ways as well; providing positive feedback to your supervisor and recognising the work they do will help build a better relationship with them.

3. Control your Emotions    

In the office, many different personalities converge in a quite small environment. Sometimes, emails or discussions can be interpreted in different ways. Keep in mind that work is work; it is not always a personal attack. Control your emotions and take a deep breath. If you really think you can not control yourself, talk to your supervisor about it.

4. Take the time to Listen, not only Hear   

To make sure you have an effective exchange with someone, you have to be focused and really listen to what is happening. If you are thinking about your next meeting or your schedule for the next weekend, you hear and not effectively listen. To be an effective communicator takes a little bit of practice, and listening to people the entire day is not an easy task, but you can do it.

5. Clarify the situation face to face or with a call    

Nowadays, people rely on communicating through e-mails or messaging apps within the office, which can easily lead to a misunderstanding. If you are not sure about what’s been written, give the person a call or go and talk to them face to face to make sure you understood correctly. It’s also a good way to know your colleagues better.

We hope these useful tips help you to have a rewarding internship experience.

Please find out more content like this in our section Career Advice.