Whether you are a manager, supervisor, or frontline employee, there are always opportunities to improve communication. Often, communication problems occur when people don’t pay attention to basics. Here are five keys to better communication.

Focus on Situation or Behavior When communicating, focus on situation or behavior occurring, not person. This allows you to better communicate with other person, rather than to seemingly pick on them. People tend to be more open to discussing situation they are in or their behavior. When it gets personal, there is less willingness to change.

Focus on Positive Focus on positive aspects of other person to build other person’s self-esteem. By looking at something positive about other person, you can better deal with areas needed for improvement.

Much has been written on different personality or behavioral styles. A very positive way to deal with conflicts is to gain an understanding of four different behavioral styles.

For example, some people are no-nonsense, get-the-job-done type. To them, most important thing is task. They like to take decisive action and take pride in a job well done.

Other people are more focused on people relationships. They see work more from a team viewpoint. They want people to get along with one another and support each other.

When a no-nonsense type of person supervises a relationship type person, there is potential for conflict. The get-the-job-done supervisor will get more work accomplished from relationship type person if supervisor allows for freedom to interact with others. By actively listening to employee’s concerns, get-the-job-done supervisor will obtain greater productivity and respect.