Communication. Communication is probably the most important thing when it comes to any kind of relationship. This not only is vital to romantic relationships, friendships, relationships with your family, but it also is vital to your work relationships as well.
You would think that because we’re connected through so many platforms such as cell phones, voice mails, text messages, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Email, Skype, etc. that we would get even BETTER at communicating, but we are not. Actually, we’re even worse at it because we rely so much on text that when someone uses the wrong word or just happens to describe things wrong, we don’t take the message as it was intended to be received.
For this, I urge you to get into the habit of always asking questions. This isn’t high school or college where if you ask a questions the whole class groans because they want to move on. This is your career. If there’s something that you don’t know 100% and you don’t speak up, whoever is training and more importantly your EMPLOYER, will think that you get it when in fact you don’t. And then when something happens because you didn’t understand something, but you didn’t feel like asking the question to clarify, it is your fault. Keep in mind – sometimes asking questions demonstrates expertise. Someone once told me, “If you don’t know, you know.” This stuck with me because well, it’s quite true! When you ask questions, people can see you’re interested or at least aware of the circumstances – at least enough to ask about it!
Also, there are going to be times when you want something but because you don’t speak up, or rely on everyone else to read your body language, what you want will never be given to you because no one had any inkling that you were interested. Don’t let an opportunity pass you by because of this.
Always speak up. I mean, don’t be horrible about it and drown everyone out, but don’t be afraid of voicing your opinions and thoughts. I think that we need to be more confident in ourselves and believe that we have amazing thoughts that could benefit the company that we’re working for. By asking questions, you get answers and by getting answers, you in turn get more knowledge and more opportunities.