The need to communicate professionally will arise in certain situations. Being aware of when this might be is important - some situations are more obvious than others. Presenting, interviews and emailing academics all require a level of formality but there are some less obvious situations too.
Here are a couple of examples:
You may have a set assignment directing you and your peers to collaborate on a project and/or prepare a presentation. Even though these are students with whom you study alongside day to day, you need to adopt a more professional persona in your group work. Being respectful, completing work on time and not dominating the group are good example of communication etiquette. We have a dedicated guide on group work which can be found here.
Group work is a great forum in which to develop a wide array of skills including, team working, collaboration, leadership, and communication. However, the way in which group members communicate with each other carries risk and the potential for conflict. Some members of the group may take over and dominate without allowing the voices of other group members to be heard. Some members of the group might not complete their assigned tasks in time, potentially lowering the marks for the whole group. This can cause resentment and apathy. It is important to value the other members of the group. Remember to be respectful, use your active listening skills to listen to the ideas of others and remain open minded. Take time to provide your own suggestions and opinions - you can provide feedback where necessary.
It is important to engage your listening skills in group activities and in The Study Skills Handbook (2024, p.182), the Cottrell suggests the following activity:
To actively listen try develop an understanding of the topic and the speaker. Through body language you will observe those more nervous members of the group who may need support. You can use your questioning skills to challenge, politely, if you feel an action or suggestion is incorrect.
It may be that you are the more nervous member of a group. Try to really understand the group task and do some pre reading. You can then think of something you can raise, talk about, or suggest which will make you feel that you have made some contribution. This will help boost your confidence and your verbal communication skills.
If you consider yourself a confident communicator, try not to dominate the group. Consider that others may not be as self-assured and allow them space to speak and share their ideas and perspectives. All members of the group should feel valued.
Communicating online can be challenging. We are so used to sending text messages, communicating through chat forums and social media that we sometimes overlook the importance of online etiquette.
When communicating within in a chat forum or on Teams with students on your course, then ensure that your messages are respectful and kind. These forums are an opportunity to build on professional communication skills that you will use in the workplace beyond your university studies. Always proofread any professional correspondence and before you send the message, just pause, and think about how the recipient may feel when they receive it - make changes if you think your message may be misconstrued.
If you are in an online meeting, there are a few things you need to remember:
