Last updated on Apr 4, 2024

What do you do if your social work communication lacks clarity and conciseness?

As a social worker, you need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, such as clients, colleagues, supervisors, and community partners. However, sometimes your communication may lack clarity and conciseness, which can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, or missed opportunities. How can you improve your communication skills and avoid these pitfalls? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Identify your purpose

Before you communicate, ask yourself what you want to achieve, who you are talking to, and what message you want to convey. Having a clear purpose will help you structure your communication, choose the appropriate tone and language, and avoid irrelevant or redundant information. For example, if you are writing a case report for your supervisor, your purpose is to provide an accurate and concise summary of your client's situation, needs, and progress. If you are conducting an intake interview with a new client, your purpose is to build rapport, assess their needs, and explain your role and services.

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John Kenneth Jolley

Advocacy Liaison Specialist/Program Planning and Development
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Use the Logic Model to paint a pictorial layout of what is intended. You can get a complete guide on how to construct and utilize the tool for program planning, development and evaluation. It intentionally places everyone on the same page while clarifying assumptions and unwanted discourses.

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2 Use plain language

Plain language is a way of writing or speaking that is clear, simple, and easy to understand. It does not mean dumbing down your message or using slang or jargon. It means using words that your audience can relate to, avoiding unnecessary technical terms or acronyms, and explaining complex concepts or processes in simple terms. For example, instead of saying "We will conduct a biopsychosocial assessment to determine your eligibility for our program", you could say "We will ask you some questions about your health, your feelings, your family, and your situation to see how we can help you."

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Sarah E Rosenberg

Developing Solutions to Community Challenges, with Purpose and Determination
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As someone who has relied on writing as a communication form in every role I've held, I didn't know I didn't know that my "work writing" took a completely different tone from my actual voice. It was a total blind spot for me. I just learned to write a certain way and didn't think more about it after that. It took someone else to point out to me that the voice in my head when I write is decidedly NOT the way I speak, which has the impact of creating unintentional distance. My remedy? I am retraining my brain to write like I think and speak — easily and directly, without a thesaurus or worrying about getting it right. I remind myself WHY I'm writing — to connect and exchange with others. Takes out a lot of the stuffy and awkward!

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3 Be specific and concise

Being specific and concise means providing enough details and examples to support your message, but not more than necessary. It also means avoiding vague or ambiguous words, such as "some", "many", "soon", or "maybe". Instead, use precise and measurable words, such as "three", "most", "next week", or "likely". For example, instead of saying "You need to work on your coping skills", you could say "You need to practice deep breathing and positive affirmations every day for 10 minutes."

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Manishini Ekanayake

Social Worker | Community Development Specialist | Communication | Socioeconomic Analyst I Girl Guide| Volunteerism l Erasmus+ Scholar l Lionism
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Clear communication is paramount, particularly in corporate environments with strict timelines. While being specific in giving directions and instructions is crucial for clarity and efficiency, it's also essential to strike a balance in tone. While being direct may seem abrupt, especially in sensitive situations, it is often necessary to ensure tasks are completed effectively and within deadlines. By avoiding ambiguities and clearly outlining expectations, potential misunderstandings can be minimized, facilitating smoother workflow and successful project outcomes. Thus, in the corporate sector, where time is of the essence, straightforward communication can be an invaluable tool for achieving objectives efficiently.

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4 Use active voice

Active voice is a way of writing or speaking that emphasizes the subject and the action, rather than the object and the result. It makes your communication more direct, engaging, and powerful. It also helps you avoid passive voice, which can sound weak, vague, or evasive. For example, instead of saying "The decision was made by the team", you could say "The team made the decision."

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5 Check your communication

Before you send or deliver your communication, take some time to check it for clarity and conciseness. You can use tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or readability scores to identify and correct any errors or issues. You can also ask someone else to review your communication and give you feedback. Alternatively, you can read your communication aloud or put it aside for a while and come back to it later with a fresh perspective.

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6 Seek feedback and improvement

Finally, you can improve your communication skills by seeking feedback and improvement opportunities. You can ask your clients, colleagues, supervisors, or mentors for their opinions and suggestions on how you can communicate more effectively. You can also observe and learn from other social workers who have good communication skills. Additionally, you can attend workshops, webinars, or courses on communication skills or related topics, such as cultural competence, conflict resolution, or assertiveness.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your social work communication lacks clarity and conciseness?

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2

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1 Identify your purpose

2 Use plain language

3 Be specific and concise

4 Use active voice

5 Check your communication

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Social Work

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What do you do if your social work communication lacks clarity and conciseness?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your purpose

2 Use plain language

3 Be specific and concise

4 Use active voice

5 Check your communication

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Social Work

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