Why Better Communication Isn’t Just Nice—It’s Necessary (at Work and Beyond)

Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That didn’t land the way I meant it to…” or “Why do I feel like we’re not even speaking the same language?” You’re not alone.

Whether you're at a family dinner or in the middle of a strategy meeting, communication is the invisible thread that connects—or unravels—relationships. And when that thread frays, so does trust, collaboration, and performance.

Communication: More Than Just Words

Most people think communication is about what we say. But more often, it’s how we say it—and how we listen—that makes all the difference. In workplaces, especially, communication becomes the fuel behind every deadline met, every feedback session delivered, and every culture shaped.

But communication isn’t a soft skill. It’s a core skill—one that determines how effectively people:

• Navigate tough conversations

• Work across differences

• Give and receive feedback

• Build psychological safety

• Motivate and influence others

And here’s the best part: It can be trained.

Simple but Powerful Communication Tips for Any Workplace

If you’re looking to improve how your team communicates without adding another thing to your calendar, start here. These small shifts can create big ripple effects:

1. Start with Curiosity, Not Assumptions

Instead of jumping to conclusions or defending your position, try asking:

👉 “Can you walk me through your thinking on this?”

Curiosity defuses tension and opens the door to understanding.

2. Be Clear, Not Just Kind

Kindness matters—but clarity is kindness too.

Instead of vague feedback like “This needs work,” try:

👉 “The key message isn’t landing yet—can you clarify the ‘why’ in your first paragraph?”

3. Name the Emotion Behind the Message

Sometimes conflict isn’t about the task—it’s about how people feel. You don’t need to play therapist, but acknowledging the emotional layer can unlock progress.

👉 “I can sense there’s some frustration here—do you want to talk through what’s behind that?”

4. Use “I” Language in Tense Moments

It’s a classic, but it works.

👉 “I felt a bit left out of that decision, and I’d love to be looped in earlier next time,”

sounds way better than

👉 “You always leave me out.”

5. Pause Before Responding

Don’t underestimate the power of a thoughtful pause. It helps regulate your tone, choose better words, and respond—not react.

Why This Matters in Your Team

Imagine a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, managers know how to deliver feedback that fuels growth, and meetings leave people energised, not exhausted.

Communication isn’t just about getting your point across. It’s about creating environments—at home, at work, in leadership—where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to do their best.

And if you’re a leader looking to shift your culture, enhance team performance, or retain great people? Start with how your team communicates.

At TOMI, we offer experiential team coaching that brings the ATAR framework to life. It’s not death-by-slide-deck. It’s real practice, real insight, and real change.

We're here to build a psychologically safe, high-performing team.

When communication works, everything else works better.

Xin Yi Ng (Michelle)

Research & Development Lead

The Open Mind Institute

www.tomi.org.au