(440) 879-8517

Mindful communication is important to all social interactions, but it is paramount to a positive and supportive corporate culture.  When team members feel valued and respected, their productivity and overall job satisfaction naturally increase.  In fact, 74% of employees say they are more engaged at work and effective at their job when they feel their voice is heard. [1]  A supportive environment reduces stress and burnout and strengthens a team’s dynamics and sense of belonging.  This, ultimately, increases employee loyalty and retention.

One potent way to foster and preserve a healthy work environment is through mindful communication.  Mindful communication is a transformative tool that can enhance interactions, boost employee satisfaction, and also improve client experiences.  When integrated into the culture, it creates a harmonious, productive atmosphere where both the staff and clients/customers thrive.  Practices that create mindful communication include active listening, non-judgmental statements, and pausing before responding.

The Power of Active Listening

Active listening is a cornerstone of mindful communication.  This practice involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said.  It means putting aside distractions, maintaining eye contact, and genuinely focusing on the speaker’s words and emotions.  Active listening shows respect and validates the speaker’s feelings, which can lead to more meaningful and productive conversations.

Since people often work closely with clients and colleagues, the ability to listen attentively can make a significant difference.  As active listening involves paying full attention to the speaker, acknowledging their message, and responding thoughtfully, it aids in understanding another’s needs more effectively.  This reduces misunderstandings and fosters respect and empathy among team members.  Encouraging staff to engage in active listening leads to more meaningful interactions and a more supportive workplace culture.

Non-Judgmental Expression

When communicating, it’s important to express thoughts and feelings without judgment or criticism.  This includes using “I” statements to convey your perspective without blaming or shaming others.  For example, saying “I feel concerned when meetings start late because it disrupts my schedule” is more constructive than “You always make us late.”  This practice helps to prevent defensiveness and promotes open, honest dialogue.

Non-judgmental expression includes accepting each moment as it arises and allowing it to pass without assessment as to its inherent value.  Without reacting on preconceived notions or conditioning, you engage with each situation to the best of your ability without placing values on the moment, the person providing the data on the situation, or the origins of what might be going on.  This benefits each person and situation by releasing barriers created by preconceived notions.  Because of this, each person involved as well as the situation is able to move freely without the extra baggage of judgment weighing everything down.  Personal well-being and healthier relationships can’t help but grow.

Pausing Before Responding

Taking a moment to pause before responding can significantly improve the quality of communication.  This brief pause allows you to process what has been said, consider your response, and ensure it aligns with your true intentions and feelings.  Preventing reactive or impulsive replies that could escalate tensions is a significant benefit of this practice.  By pausing, you create a space for more thoughtful, considerate communication.  Taking a few seconds could save hours or even days of stress from happening at all.

Mindful communication is a powerful tool that can transform the culture of any group and culture. By practicing active listening, non-judgmental expression, and pausing before responding, workplaces and, indeed, any collection of people create positive and supportive environments.  In terms of a professional establishment, these supportive environments improve job fulfillment, and therefore productivity, as well as client retention satisfaction.

At Stella Luna Counseling and Wellness, we offer a variety of tools to help people learn and practice mindfulness.  Through individual meditation sessions as well as a calendar of events with workshops and classes focused on many ways to refine your practice, we are committed to aid whomever we can in enhancing quality of life.

Other posts to check out:

 

SOURCE: https://www.ukg.com/resources/white-paper/heard-and-heard-nots