At it's core, communication is responsible for making things work. Whether that's keeping a business successfully operating or building personal and professional relationships, communication is integral to everything in life. Success at work often depends on one's ability to communicate well with others.
Fast Company released an article focusing in on what are called 'super communicators', and the traits they possess. While that term may conjure up images of someone extroverted and/or full of social energy, that's not necessarily the case, according to Charles Duhigg, author of Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, who discovered that personality does not in fact matter when it comes to being an effective communicator. In fact, what actually matters is possessing an understanding of different types of conversations, how they work, and the expressed desire to connect with others. This ultimately means anyone has the potential to be a super communicator, if they follow a few foundational guidelines.
According to Duhigg, There are three buckets for conversations: practical, emotional, and social, and the ability to understand and distinguish between those buckets is an important aspect of being able to ensure successful communication.
One component of connecting with others include asking more meaningful, deeper, questions than more surface level conversational topics. For instance, instead of asking "what do you do", you can ask "why did you choose the job you have?". The reason this works so well is because it opens the door to learning more about someone, in which they may reveal information that naturally flows into a more in-depth conversation. The second component is active listening. This is more than merely being present, this is about having a dynamic conversation, which can include engaged body language, asking specific questions, repeating what was said back, and confirming with the other person that you are understanding what they are saying.
At Cancer and Careers we often highlight the importance of effective communication as it plays a critical role in working after a cancer diagnosis, especially when considering decisions around disclosure. The ability to have meaningful conversations, whether they are about action planning for time away from the office, explaining current circumstances to managers or coworkers, or requesting time off, can make all the difference in whether you get what you're asking for and collaborating with your employer. Communication plays a role both in existing jobs and when one is job searching. Networking, cover letter writing, interviewing - all require a level of proficiency when it comes to appropriate and productive communication.
The CAC Balancing Work & Cancer Webinar Series offers a two-part webinar on Communicating Effectively in August and September, in which the nuances of communicating when working after cancer are explored and addressed. Additionally, the webinars help participants to reflect and identify their own communication styles, step one in understanding how to highlight the strengths and address any weaknesses or challenges. A better understanding of one's own personal communication style, as well types of conversations, can help in situations that can be cancer-specific, such as addressing an array of comments at work, or being able to set strong, professional boundaries in the workplace.