Whilst we’ve been bombarded with messages about the importance of choosing our words wisely and body language awareness, we often forget the importance of tone of voice.
Here are some tips from Ceek on why tone of voice matters in the workplace:
The Facts and Figures
Did you know that 10% of conflict is caused by a difference in opinion whereas 90% of conflict is created by tone of voice?
According to studies conducted by Mehrabian & Wiener, and Mehrabian & Ferris, communication boils down to the following:
- Body language: 55%
- Tone of voice: 38%
- Words spoken: 7%
As we often speak over the phone or via e-mail/text, removing body language out of the equation, tone of voice is a crucial aspect of our daily communication.
Office Talk
The tone of voice adopted in a workplace is determined by the people who work there and happens because they form a method of communication that works for them.
Some offices might be louder than others, some might use sarcasm as a form of humour, while others are more formal and composed.
Whatever tone is generally adopted, you should consider the following questions if you want to remain considerate and respectful:
- What do you sound like?
- What message is your tone sending?
- Are you using the right tone for your message?
This applies to all forms of communication where tone is important, be it verbal or written. Keep in mind that the font you choose will also have an impact on tone of voice.
Top Tip: Improve your Interpersonal skills with a course in Influential Dialogue
Stress Talk
Issues can arise when a colleague’s tone of voice is skewed. For example, if a manager talks to an employee in a way they don’t normally do, this may cause tension. It is not usually because of what they said – but how they said it.
As reported by Ragan, 34% of employees are currently dissatisfied or extremely dissatisfied with communications they’re experiencing at their workplace.
Stress plays a huge role in how people react, but if this is persistent, it is important that all parties discuss the problem before it becomes an issue. Addressing the problem is key to ensuring a harmonious office environment.
David Grossman reports in ‘The Cost of Poor Communications’ that a survey of 400 companies with 100,000 employees each cited an average loss per company of approximately 53 million euros per year – because of inadequate communication to and between employees, which means that addressing your workplace communications can also save you money!
Top tip: By being emotionally intelligent, you can manage your emotions more effectively and improve your verbal communication skills.
To conclude
It may seem a strange comparison, but if you’ve ever wondered why characters like Homer Simpson and SpongeBob are so likeable, it’s because they’re voiced by great voice actors.
Now we’re not saying that you should start speaking like SpongeBob, but you get our point. It takes skill to master your tone of voice – and it’s totally worth it. By becoming more tone aware in the workplace, you’ll find that your office environment will thrive and provide fruitful results.
Here at Ceek, we take notice of your company’s tone of voice when matching your organization with the right candidates and vice versa. Contact us to discuss how we can help you go from strength to strength.