Effective Communication: Strengthening Relationships and Navigating Conflict

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Strong communication skills are crucial for fostering positive collaboration and cultivating healthy workplace dynamics.

Last week, the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham Singapore) hosted an engaging, in-person workshop on communication skills tailored specifically for Executive and Personal Assistants (EAs and PAs).

Held in conjunction with Administrative Professionals' Day, the event was well attended by EAs and PAs from various industries, including healthcare, technology and semiconductors.

Led by trainers from DecodeHR, the workshop highlighted useful strategies and tools that sharpen communication and conflict management skills, essential for administrative professionals whose roles require effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders..

Iris Lew, DecodeHR’s senior engagement manager, highlighted the importance of the 5Cs of effective communication – clear, correct, complete, concise, and compassionate – and how these principles can significantly improve interactions with others, especially in high-pressure or cross-functional settings.

She also shared the value of the 5D cycle of appreciative inquiry and how it helps enhance communication at the workplace. This approach focuses on strengths instead of problems. It examines what works and how to build on that, creating a safe and positive environment for constructive dialogue.

Additionally, Iris addressed common causes of workplace conflict and shared five practical strategies for managing and resolving disputes. These include staying calm and objective, recognising personal biases, focusing on long-term goals, promoting collaboration over a "me-against-them" mentality, and relying on facts instead of hearsay.

These strategies are useful for resolving misunderstandings, delivering constructive feedback, and strengthening professional relationships, even when tensions arise.

Technology can also enhance communication. Psychometric tools and assessments offer valuable insights into our work styles and those of our colleagues.

DecodeHR’s head of technology, Annie Kok, introduced a few behavioural and gamified assessments that can help to enhance self-awareness and team dynamics. These assessments provide insights into communication styles, leadership, and conflict resolution, and help participants better understand themselves and their colleagues.

With lively tabletop discussions and an interactive Q&A session, the workshop also sparked meaningful conversations on related topics such as cross-generational communication and emojis in professional emails.

Effective communication is an ongoing journey, and we hope the session equipped attendees with new skills and strategies to navigate workplace dynamics with greater ease and confidence.

To learn more about effective communication in the workplace, reach out to us.