Verbal & Written Communication
This type of communication involves spoken words, and can be formal or informal.
verbal communication
This type of question can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”
Closed question
This is the term for giving your full attention to a speaker, rather than just hearing their words.
active listening
This tool creates a written record and can be sent to many people at once.
This term describes verbal communication that follows predefined channels in the workplace, typically from supervisors to employees
formal communication
This type of question invites a longer, more detailed response and often starts with “what,” “how,” or “why.”
Open question
This active listening technique involves restating what the speaker said, in your own words, to check your understanding.
paraphrasing / summarising
This tool is best for an urgent, sensitive conversation where you want to hear tone of voice but don't need to be face-to-face.
phone call
This type of communication relies on body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice rather than words.
nonverbal communication
This type of question requires the other person to think about their own experiences, feelings, or performance — commonly used in debriefs and feedback conversations.
reflective question
This is the opposite of active listening — hearing someone without reacting verbally or nonverbally.
passive listening
This tool reaches a whole team in one place, but is passive — it relies on people choosing to read it rather than actively delivering the message.
noticeboard/memo
This subtype of verbal communication does not use predefined channels and includes casual discussions and gossip.
informal communication
Open, closed, and reflective questions are all specific types of this broader communication skill, which involves asking meaningful questions to deepen a conversation and encourage critical thinking.
questioning technique
This nonverbal cue, made with your head, is used during active listening
nodding
This tool is best suited to conveying detailed information with visual cues and screen sharing across a distance, but depends on reliable technology.
video conference
In the communication process, this term describes the receiver's job of interpreting the meaning of a message.
decoding
Reflective questions are most likely to come up in this kind of workplace conversation
debrief / feedback
This active listening technique involves using and maintaining this with the speaker
eye contact
This tool allows immediate feedback and lets you read body language, but requires both people to be in the same place at the same time.
face to face