Mastering Workplace Conversations: How to Build Better Relationships at the Office

Initiating a conversation is never easy for someone who doesn’t know how to get in the game. Especially if the person you’re trying to reach out to doesn’t give you the vibe. Well, you can ignore them if you want to. However, communication is the key to achieving the best outcomes in the workplace. It's more than just exchanging information—it builds clarity, trust, and alignment among team members.

As author Brooks puts it, “Conversation is the pathway that we as humans use to pursue all of the things that we want to achieve.” This illustrates how impactful effective communication can be in driving both individual success and team progress.

So, if you and your teammates aim for excellence, learning how to communicate effectively isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary. Strong communication promotes collaboration, reduces misunderstandings, and empowers teams to perform at their best.

Here are the best tips on how you can become a great communicator: 

1. Choose a topic 

When initiating a conversation, start with a light topic that will be easy to understand. A good discussion should feel comfortable, not something that will pressure the person you're talking to or overthink their response out of fear that the conversation might turn argumentative. Instead, choose a light yet meaningful topic that encourages a smooth discussion.

You can also talk about projects or provide feedback on ongoing work to foster improvement and collaboration within the team. This enhances teamwork and contributes to the organization's overall excellence.

2. Be curious 

Workplace employees often hesitate to ask a question, leaving the conversation hanging. There are only two reasons why a person doesn’t ask questions in a conversation: either they fully understood what was said, or they weren’t listening and had no interest in the topic

When one is not invested in the topic, there is often a lack of engagement, making the conversation difficult to sustain. A good mental supply of questions is good whenever things feel like the conversations are about to dry up. When asking, set a good tone and make it an open-ended question so they’ll need to elaborate their answers. The more information they share, the more seamless and continuous the discussion will be.

3. Levity is the Key 

You know that person who gets along with everybody and makes the atmosphere lighter than usual? That person is the crowd favorite for a reason! 

Those kinds of people are good conversationalists who bring subtle humor to serious matters (not in a critical discussion). Having levity doesn’t mean you have to be funny or bubbly; it refers to bringing warmth to the person you're talking to. Being an easygoing and lighthearted conversationalist makes you more approachable, as people feel comfortable talking to you.

Due to heavy workloads and tight deadlines, workplace challenges and stressful situations are common. This communication trait is also important to ease the burden of work.

4. Listen as well 

Don’t be passive, be assertive. Communication is two-way, and you wouldn’t want someone to keep talking about themselves without letting you speak throughout the entire conversation, right? 

Listening intently makes people feel that they are heard and that you actually care for them. Using comfortable silence after somebody speaks shows that you have heard and processed what has been said. When you listen, stop thinking about what you will say next. You don’t always need a rocket science response to what the other person is saying. Understanding them matters more because you will naturally have a reaction or something to say. The key is to be mindful of your words.

In a conversation, you have to give them a chance so you can acquire information instead of just trying to throw ideas around too much. You can also show that you are really listening to them by following up a question and paraphrasing what they’ve said in the conversation. 

CONCLUSION

Building openness in the workplace can be challenging—especially when colleagues are still getting to know one another and professional roles don’t naturally lend themselves to personal interaction. However, connecting and building rapport with your coworkers can foster trust, encourage collaboration, and ultimately improve overall team performance.

At Servicio Filipino, we cultivate a healthy, respectful, and well-structured work environment. By promoting positive workplace relationships and maintaining systematic processes, we help prevent toxicity and safeguard the mental well-being of our employees. Looking to grow your career in a supportive and dynamic organization? Send your resume to sourcing@serviciofilipino.com and explore exciting job opportunities with us.