Communicating clearly with co-workers, supervisors and customers is critical to an efficient, harmonious work life. Here are some common communication problems and how to solve them:

• Criticizing others. Nothing stops communication faster than one person criticizing another. Defensive barriers go up immediately. When you’re tempted to criticize someone, ask yourself “Could I phrase this critical remark in a positive way? Example: Instead of saying “You’re desk is a mess. Clean it up before the CEO visits,” say “An organized work environment is important to the CEO, so let’s all straighten up our workspaces before his visit on Friday.”
• Speaking too quickly. If other people have to work to keep up with what you’re saying, your message won’t get across to them. Practice varying your speech pattern as way to keep others interested in what you have to say.
• Hogging the conversation. Monitor yourself to make sure the people you communicate with say as much as you do. If others aren’t speaking up, use open-ended questions to draw them out. Example: “That’s my opinion about the new software. What do you think of it?”
• Withholding knowledge. Sometimes we hold back important information to control others or maintain power. But people know when they’re being manipulated, and they resent not being given the information they need to do their jobs. You make yourself truly indispensable to your boss and co-workers when you freely share all you know.