Being in HR, I hear from so many employees about how much they value communication from their managers and/or from the senior executive level. For many, it is the difference between respect and lack of respect. Everyone wants to know what’s going on, good or bad.

However, interestingly enough, many of the same people who say they value good communication are some of the same people who don’t necessarily exercise it properly.I think maintaining proper communication in the workplace is one of the biggest challenges but it is something that can be overcome. It is important because it helps to gain commitment and ultimately to achieve business goals. Here are some quick tips to help you communicate more effectively.

• Adapt because not everyone may need the same level or type of communication.
• Listen. Know when to stop talking and when to start listening.
• Facilitate. You not only have to listen to what is being said, you also need to learn how to address the topic and then move it on to the next topic of concern or agenda item.
• Ask. You have to be able to ask good questions to get good information.
• Be discrete. Some information may not need to be shared.
• Be clear. If you’re a manager and you have to tell someone to do something, make sure they know exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.