You are here

Home

The Three C's of Good Communication

The CEO asked the DVPs to estimate the ROI on the M and A proposal. Now, can you decipher that code? The chief executive officer (the CEO) asked the division vice presidents (the DVPs) to estimate the return-on-investment (or ROI) on the merger and acquisition (M and A) proposal.Many business people like to pepper their speaking with too many TLAs – three-letter abbreviations – and other insider jargon. That's one of the ways people violate the rules of etiquette for good communication. When speaking to others on the job, you should follow proper business etiquette. To do this, keep the "three C's" of etiquette in mind. Details about these three rules of business etiquette are provided here.1. ClarityThe first of the three C's is clarity. Clear, concise communication prevents misunderstandings and gives people the information they need to work more efficiently. Three obstacles to clarity in speaking are

  • using jargon, abbreviations, or slang
  • failing to come to the point quickly
  • clouding the issue with ambiguous statements

2. CooperationThe second of the three C's is cooperation. Business is a team activity, so don't dominate the conversation. Give other people a chance to fully express themselves. Here are three ways to build cooperation into your conversations:

  • Ask questions if you don't understand what someone says, or if you disagree. Don't object too quickly.
  • Pause occasionally while you're talking to add emphasis to your point and to allow others to speak without interrupting.
  • Don't interrupt, even when you have an important point to make.

3. CourtesyThe third of the three C's is courtesy. Business isn't always calm or calculated. Even senior managers can become emotional under pressure. But angry words are not easily forgotten or forgiven. No matter how strongly you feel about a discussion, never shout at anyone. People listen to you more closely when you lower your voice than when you raise it.Don't use profanity in your conversations as many individuals find it unacceptable. Even mild profanity can be offensive to some. Similarly, any kind of personal observation about your co-workers – even compliments – can cause problems. If you want to pay someone a compliment, say something about the person's work, not his or her physical appearance.The etiquette you use to speak to co-workers isn't complicated, but these simple rules are frequently forgotten. By keeping the three C's in mind – clarity, cooperation, and courtesy – you can communicate more effectively and work more harmoniously with your colleagues.