Talking with your coworkers or your boss can sometimes be an intimidating thing to do. Building up the courage to speak with someone you don’t know, especially if your personalities don’t necessarily click, can cause a great deal of stress. This is what is referred to as communication apprehension. It’s a common problem in many workplaces, and often leads to goals not being met, tasks being looked over, and sometimes it can cause strife between coworkers.

But, thankfully, communication apprehension is a non-life threatening disorder that can be cured without medicine or therapy; it just takes a little work by the person suffering from the apprehension.

It’s Not Easy Being New

It’s not easy being the new person at a job (assuming your apprehension is caused by A) you have a new job and B) you don’t know anyone at this new job). You’re never going to meet anyone if you don’t speak to people, though. That’s why communication is one of the most important things you have to work at when you start a new career. If you have a breakroom at work, sit with someone you don’t know for lunch. Work in a space with other people? Talk to them, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know how to do something.

Nothing Gets Accomplished Without Communication

Communication is key. That’s an old phrase that holds a lot of truth. Nothing ever gets accomplished without communication, especially in the business world. How would your customers feel if you were too scared to talk to them, and never helped them when they had questions? Without communication, goals aren’t met, and problems arise.

It’s Not As Scary As It Seems

“Oh come on, they aren’t going to bite your arm off.” That’s what my dad would say to me every time I complained about having to talk to someone I didn’t know. I was a very shy kid. But his words of wisdom were 99% accurate; most people are friendly, and happy to speak with you (there’s always that 1% though…) At any rate, don’t be afraid to speak to a coworker, because they are definitely not as scary as they might seem.

Your Coworker Could Be Feeling The Same Way

Sometimes, the reasons that you might come up with in your mind to not talk to somebody is also felt by the person you’re scared to approach! I find this happens more often than you would think. With that in mind, it’s always easier once you know that you’re not the only one who’s afraid to start a conversation, or ask a question. Take encouragement from that, and use that encouragement to speak with that intimidating coworker.

You’ll Be Better Off After Taking The Plunge

Once you start building a highway of communication, your ride will be way smoother. You’ll find that communicating with that coworker you were scared to approach is much easier, and less awkward. You’ll never know until you take the dive.