The Power of Language: Connecting or Creating Conflict?

The Workplace Wellness Collective: Workplace Leadership Hour Episode 2

The Workplace Wellness Collective presents the second episode of the Workplace Leadership Hour: The Power of Language: Connecting or Creating Conflict? Co-Hosts, Michele Thomson, Felipe Cofiño, and Sumana Jeddy explore Leadership Impact, Conflict Resolution, Building Trust, and Inspiring your Team. Additionally, they discuss the importance of various communication styles and the crucial role it plays in connecting with others to provide a supportive workplace environment.

Sumana Jeddy

Founder and CEO, Jeddy Wellness

Key Insights:

• • Be Open to Learning and Preferred Communication Styles

    Recognize that everyone has a preferred communication style that suits their personality and preferences. This can be implemented through active listening and flexibility.

• • Implement an Open Door Policy

    An open door policy encourages transparency, accessibility, and open communication within the workplace. Encourage open discussions on various topics—tasks, safety concerns, or relationship-building—using language that is clear, respectful, and inclusive.

• • Supporting Employees and Social Connections

    Ensure that employees feel supported and valued by the organization. Create Connections: Encourage social connections among team members through team-building activities, informal gatherings, or collaborative projects.

• • The Power of Caring Language: Emotional Impact

    Recognize the emotional impact of language in the workplace. Create a culture where employees hear and feel that their colleagues and leaders genuinely care about their well-being and success. Cultivate a positive organizational culture where mutual respect, empathy, and supportive communication are integral to daily interactions.

Research Highlights: Different Types of Workplace Communications

Communication in the workplace: Defining the conversations of supervisors Sharon Newnam, Natassia Goode. (2019).

1. Task-Related Communication:

2. Focus and Nature: Task-related communication is primarily focused on operational and job-specific information.

3. Mediums: Common methods include team chats, emails, and standardized language or protocols.

4. Purpose: The goal is to ensure that team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and targets.

5. Proficiency Communication Guidance: Supervisors use task-related communication to guide employees on the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively.

6. Example: “Let’s consolidate all the reports into a single document by the end of day so we can streamline the review process.”Recognize generational needs and unique preferences.”

7. Relationship-Building Conversations:

8. Wellness Check-Ins: These conversations are aimed at assessing employees’ well-being and demonstrating genuine concern for their personal and professional lives. They help build trust between supervisors and employees.

9. Support and Engagement: Providing support to employees involves offering guidance, encouragement, and recognition.

10. Team Building: Team-building activities are designed to enhance social connections and improve team cohesion. These activities foster a sense of belonging and collaboration among team members.

11. Open Door Policy: Implementing an open door policy means creating an environment where employees feel comfortable approaching their supervisors with concerns, suggestions, or feedback. This policy should be actively practiced and supported by the leadership to be effective.

12. Example: “I noticed you’ve been doing a fantastic job on the recent project. Let’s grab a coffee and chat about how things are going.”

13. Safety-Related Conversations:

14. Types: These conversations include safety briefings, training sessions, and safety audits. They are designed to promote a culture of safety and ensure compliance with safety regulations. These can also include psychological safety conversations to promote mental health in the workplace.

15. Objective: The primary aim is to create a safe work environment and prevent accidents or injuries. Leadership styles that focus on the health and well-being of employees improve the impact of safety practices and positively shape workers’ views on safety culture.

16. Conflict Management: Safety-related communications often involve less conflict compared to other types of conversations.

17. Compliance: Ensuring that employees understand what is expected of them in terms of safety practices and what actions they need to take to adhere to safety standards. Additionally, employees should be aware of Employee Assistance Programs and overall accessibility to mental health services provided by their employer.

18. Example: “Remember to check the emergency exits at the start of your shift and ensure they are not blocked.” or “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please let me know. We can discuss adjusting your workload or finding resources to support your mental well-being.”

Michele Thomson

Leadership and Workplace Culture Specialist

Key Insights:

• • Respect, Compassion, and Care

    Building trust starts with demonstrating respect, compassion, and care in how we communicate. When team members feel respected and valued, it fosters a positive environment where trust can flourish. This involves acknowledging others’ perspectives, being mindful of their emotions, and showing genuine concern for their well-being.

• • Active Listening using Paraphrasing and Clarifying Techniques

    Active listening is a foundational skill for building trust. It involves fully concentrating on what is being said, understanding the message, and responding thoughtfully.

• • Nonverbal Communication

    Nonverbal communication plays a significant role in how messages are perceived and understood. More than 85% of communication is conveyed through nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, gestures, tone of voice, and eye contact. Being aware of these cues and understanding their impact is crucial for effective communication and building trust.

Why Conflict Occurs and How to Build Trust

Ripley, Amanda. High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out. 2023.

Four Underlying Stories as to Why Conflict Occurs and How Trust Can be Broken

1. Fear: Fear often underlies conflict and trust issues in conversations. This can manifest as fear of being misunderstood, fear of losing control, fear of failure, or even fear of the unknown.
2. Mismatched Assumptions: Conflict can arise when there are differing assumptions or expectations between parties involved in a conversation.
3. Mismatched Goals: Conflicts often stem from conflicting goals or priorities. When individuals or groups have divergent objectives or interests, it can create tensions and competition rather than cooperation.
4. Human Identity: Conflict can also be rooted in challenges to individual or group identity. When conversations touch on core beliefs, values, or identities, it can trigger emotional responses and defensiveness.

 Strategies: Communication for Leaders

1. Personal and Peer Review: Self-Assessment: Regularly reflect on your communication skills by asking yourself questions such as: Am I actively listening to others, or am I waiting to speak? Do I communicate with clarity and conciseness? Peer Feedback: Seek feedback from peers or colleagues to understand how others perceive your communication style: Ask for specific examples of where you excel and areas where you can improve.

2. Validation: Validate others’ perspectives and feelings during conversations.

3. Come from a Place of Care and Concern: Approach conversations with empathy and genuine interest in the other person’s well-being.

4. Nonverbal Communication Awareness: Recognize the importance of nonverbal cues in communication: Pay attention to your body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures.

5. Mindfulness and Reflection: Be mindful of your communication style, especially in challenging moments: Ask yourself what you can learn from these experiences to improve your communication skills and interpersonal relationships.

Felipe Cofiño

HR Executive| Top HR Voice Linkedin

Things to Understand When Thinking About the Power of Language (FelipesFive)

1. Verbal Impact: Key phrases from leaders that build trust include: “I have confidence in you,” “You’re capable of this,” and “I trust your judgment.” Trust is a delicate gift that, once shattered, is challenging to repair. It’s one of the easiest things to lose and one of the hardest to regain.

2. Body Language is Telling: While verbal language is common, body language—like pursed lips or crossed arms—can be equally influential. Evaluate how your non-verbal cues may affect trust in your interactions.

3. Images and Signs Tell a Story: Images and signs in the workplace are not just decorative elements; they are integral to how stories about the company and its culture are told. They communicate values, shape experiences, and can significantly influence employee morale and productivity.

4. Pen is Mightier than the Sword: Written communication, whether through emails or letters, holds significant power. Choose your words carefully as they can greatly impact trust and relationships.

5. Understanding Communication Styles: Recognize the four main styles and adapt your approach accordingly to foster effective communication and build trust within your team and beyond.

Environments That Lack Trust (FelipesFive)

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Written by Allison Giammona and Reviewed by Sumana Jeddy 

Stay connected with The Workplace Wellness Collective for more resources and discussions on creating a healthier, more inclusive workplace.