Mastering Workplace Communication Triggers

Effective workplace communication is the cornerstone of building strong relationships and fostering a productive work environment. However, we all have specific triggers that can hinder our communication ability, impacting our relationships with colleagues and hindering our professional growth. Let’s explore how to identify these triggers and learn strategies to work with people in a way that enhances our communication skills and strengthens our influence in the workplace.

Identifying Your Communication Triggers

To begin mastering workplace communication triggers, it’s crucial to identify what your triggers are. Communication triggers are specific situations, words, or actions that can evoke strong emotional responses or reactions in individuals. These triggers can vary from person to person, but here are some common examples:

  1. Criticism: When someone offers negative feedback or criticizes us, it can trigger defensiveness, anger, or a feeling of being attacked.
  2. Interrupting: Being interrupted while speaking can trigger frustration, a sense of being disregarded, or a loss of confidence in one’s ability to communicate effectively.
  3. Tone of voice: The way someone speaks, including their tone, volume, or inflection, can act as a trigger, evoking feelings of annoyance, anger, or hurt.
  4. Personal attacks: Directly insulting or attacking someone’s character or personal attributes can provoke strong defensive reactions and emotional distress.
  5. Ignoring or dismissing opinions: When our opinions or ideas are ignored or dismissed without consideration, it can trigger feelings of insignificance, frustration, or a sense of being unheard.
  6. Non-verbal cues: Certain non-verbal cues, such as eye-rolling, crossed arms, or sighing, can trigger feelings of disrespect, annoyance, or frustration.
  7. Conflict or confrontation: Engaging in conflict or facing confrontational situations can trigger stress, anxiety, defensiveness, or the flight or fight response.

Changing Habits and Reactions

Addressing communication triggers may seem daunting, as it may feel like asking for a complete personality change. However, it’s important to note that the goal is not to change who you are but to alter your habits and reactions. By becoming aware of our habitual patterns and automatic reactions when it comes to communication, we open the door to more conscious and intentional interactions. We can choose to let go of defensive mechanisms or knee-jerk responses that hinder effective communication, and instead cultivate new habits that foster empathy, active listening, and open-mindedness. By recognizing our triggers and taking the time to understand their underlying causes, we gain the power to respond rather than react, allowing for deeper understanding, healthier relationships, and a more harmonious communication environment.

Investing in Relationships

After every conversation, reflecting on whether the interaction brought you closer or further apart in the relationship is valuable. To set the right tone for each exchange, begin by consciously deciding to invest in the relationship unless the decision to terminate the connection has already been made. This mindset shift can help foster a more positive and collaborative environment.

One common concern when addressing communication triggers is holding people accountable while still nurturing the relationship. It’s crucial to strike a balance between the two. Here’s how you can approach it:

  1. Identify Your Triggers: Start by recognizing the triggers that affect your communication. This could be specific phrases, behaviors, interruptions, biases, or even situational factors. Understanding your triggers and naming them is the first step toward managing them effectively.
  2. Recognize the Old Behavior: Once you’ve identified your triggers, observe how you react to them. For instance, when Jack is late, you may feel abandoned and angry throughout the day. Knowing these patterns will help you gain insight into your old behavior.
  3. Make an Early Decision: Armed with this self-awareness, proactively choose not to be triggered. Make a conscious decision to respond without being influenced by your triggers. This step sets the stage for a non-triggered reaction.

The Stages of Personal Growth 

Embracing personal growth in communication skills is a journey that occurs in stages. It’s essential to understand that perfection is not the goal; change often comes from learning from our mistakes. Here are the stages you can expect:

  1. Catching Yourself After the Fact: Initially, you may become aware of your triggered reactions only after the conversation has concluded. Acknowledge these moments of realization as signs of progress.
  2. Catching Yourself in the Moment: As you become more attuned to your triggers, you will begin to recognize them while you are being triggered. Although you might not always address them immediately, simply acknowledging their presence is a step in the right direction.
  3. Catching Yourself Before the Action: With practice and self-reflection, you will develop the ability to identify triggers before they lead to adverse reactions. This advanced stage allows you to consciously choose a more constructive response.