Foundations of Professional Communication: How to Build Trust and Succeed at Work
Want to know the secret to success at work? The secret to playing the corporate game? It’s not just what you know… it’s how you communicate.
This past week, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop on a topic I’m incredibly passionate about: the foundations of professional communication.
Here’s the truth no one tells you: no one teaches you how to communicate at work.
You don’t get a class on “how to write a professional email” or “how to speak up in meetings.” Instead, most of us are left to figure it out through osmosis and that’s average at best. We spend years of our career watching others and hoping we get it right. Only to put our foot in our mouth and experience failure because we never learned how to communicate effectively.
No more. I’m here to help you change that and to be a successful communicator in business.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re trying to step into leadership, communication is the skill you need to practice and improve upon because in business, it’s not just about what you know… it’s about who you know and how well you work with them.
That all comes down to good communication.
What Makes Someone a Strong Communicator at Work?
You’ve probably heard the term “people person” tossed around in job interviews or performance reviews. But being good with people isn’t some fluffy personality trait — it’s a measurable, learnable skill rooted in professional communication.
Whether you’re working with a client, colleague, or your boss, the three most important foundations of strong communication are:
Listening
Speaking with clarity
Being curious
Let’s break those three fundamental skills down:
1. Listening: Understand Before You Respond
Good communication starts with good listening.
This means tuning into goals, motivations, and expectations. Ask yourself:
If I’m talking to a client: What’s most important to them right now?
If I’m working with a teammate: What are they focused on? What challenges are they juggling?
If I’m meeting with my manager: What will help them succeed?
Great communicators aren’t thinking about their next point — they’re asking questions and genuinely trying to understand the other person’s priorities.
2. Clarity: Say What You Mean (And Say It Again)
As Brené Brown says: “Clear is kind.”
The workplace is moving fast. People are overwhelmed, multitasking, and balancing dozens of competing demands. If you want to get things done and be seen as someone who can lead — you have to speak with clarity.
That means clearly communicating expectations, roles, next steps, and even seemingly “obvious” details. Don’t assume someone knows what you’re talking about. Spell it out.
I often think about this with my toddler. I can’t just say, “Go wash your hands.” I have to walk her through each step. Now, of course, I’m not saying treat your coworkers like toddlers — but I am saying that over-clarifying is better than under-communicating.
3. Curiosity: Learn What Others Care About
Want to build trust, influence others, and become someone your team relies on? Get curious.
Ask what your coworkers are working on.
Learn what success looks like for your boss.
Understand what matters most to your clients.
When you lead with curiosity, you’ll learn how to speak their language. You’ll build better working relationships, and you’ll uncover new ways to contribute value — which is what communication at work is really about.
Try questions like:
“What I’m hearing is… does that sound right?”
“Is it fair to say that you’re feeling...?”
“How can I best support you right now?”
These open-ended prompts help you get to the real priorities — and show that you’re engaged and invested in the conversation.
Strong Communication = Stronger Careers
Whether you're new to your role or have years of experience, improving how you listen, speak with clarity, and lead with curiosity will make a meaningful impact on your professional relationships.
Here’s the equation I’ll leave you with:
Listening + Clarity + Curiosity = Effective Communication
And effective communication? That’s the foundation of every successful career.
Want to strengthen your communication at work?
💻 Be sure to join my LIVE Workshop NEXT WEEK May 15th at 1pm CDT - From Overworked to Empowered: How to Communicate Burnout at Work
👥 Interested in bringing this workshop to your team?
I facilitate 60-minute interactive sessions on the Foundations of Professional Communication—perfect for onboarding cohorts, new managers, or professional development series.
📩 Reach out to schedule: jenna@careercivility.com
