The Power of Positive Communication in the Workplace

When working with others, communication has power. Positive, enthusiastic communication builds better relationships, increases productivity, and motivates people.


I'm a huge fan of positive communication, so I've developed several techniques that will increase your ability to communicate with confidence and effectiveness.

STEP 1: Think Positively

People don't always have the best intentions. It's hard to keep a positive attitude when you're surrounded by negativity. But if you take the time to think positively, you'll be much better equipped to overcome negativity and improve relationships with others.

Ask yourself:

Is this person happy, healthy, and successful?

Does he/she look motivated and energized?

Is this person having fun?

Does she/he respect me?

Does she/he make me want to be like her/him?

If the answer to all of these questions is 'yes', then I'd recommend keeping things positive.

STEP 2: Focus on the Good

It's easy to get caught up in what's not working and forget about what is. We often focus on what we don't have, not what we do have.

Don't let this negative energy influence your communication. Instead, focus on the good.

Ask yourself:

Does this person care about me?

Does she/he respect me?

Does she/he treat me with kindness?

Are his/her actions serving him/her well?

Do his/her actions build me up?

Focus on the good. This will allow you to communicate effectively with the person even in a negative environment.

STEP 3: Focus on the Future

When you think about a person or a relationship, do you usually think about how it was yesterday or how it is today? No, you focus on what's going to happen in the future. This is because, to most people, the past is the past.

We're all concerned with our current situation, but we tend to lose sight of how our situation will look in the future. This makes sense. If you were looking at the same relationship today that you did two weeks ago, how would things look different?

In the workplace, focus on what's going to happen in the future. It's easy to get stuck in the past, but focusing on the future will help you stay relevant, maintain motivation, and feel like you're making an impact.

Ask yourself:

What does this person need?

What can I do to help this person?

What are my strengths and weaknesses?

What can I do to be a positive force in this person's life?

The answers to these questions will help you create a better, more positive future.

STEP 4: Focus on the Positive

I've found that positive people are far more effective communicators than negative people.

Even if you have a serious problem, the other person is more likely to listen to you if you focus on the positive.

So before you speak, ask yourself: