Simple steps to strengthen your communication skills

You’ve probably heard that part of being a good communicator is being a good listener, but it’s worth repeating. Listening is one of the most important skills leaders need to develop to communicate well and maintain relationships throughout the hospital. Listening is hard work and failing to listen leads to many of the misunderstandings that make cooperation so difficult.

In addition to active listening, use simple language. If physician leaders speak or write in a swirl of obscure terms and jargon, they will just confuse people. There is nothing wrong with using plain, direct language to convey a message.

Also, remember simple courtesies. “Thank you” are two words that are used less often than they should be in the hospital environment. Good manners and appreciation foster a congenial atmosphere and motivate staff to perform better. Medical staff leaders and members deserve thanks for the hard work they do for their patients, colleagues, and the hospital. Consider sending personal notes to physicians to let them know you appreciate the job they did on a particular quality improvement committee project, or to a new physician leaders’ family members thanking them for sharing their loved one’s time with the hospital. Communicate in this way often enough so that it is appreciated, but not so often that it becomes expected or commonplace.