The Power of Speech and Language in Construction

Building Better Communicators from Apprentices to CEOs

Communication is a tool more powerful than any hammer, drill or crane. On a construction site, it can mean the difference between a project that runs smoothly and one that unravels with costly mistakes, safety risks and stressed-out workers. Yet for many in our industry, speaking confidently and clearly does not come naturally. From apprentices fresh out of school to CEOs leading multi-million-pound firms, the ability to express ourselves is often overlooked.

This blog will explore why that happens, how it affects us and what we can do to build better communication skills. Along the way, we’ll connect communication to mental health, sprinkle in some humour and give you practical tools to improve. More importantly, we’ll look at how everyone from the first-year apprentice to the company director has a role to play in shaping a culture of better communication.

The Communication Struggle in Construction

Let’s be honest most of us in construction did not grow up with Shakespeare’s vocabulary. Many of us, myself included, left school without top grades in English. I failed my GCSEs and stumbled into construction. On site, my way of speaking slang, filler words and plenty of swearing fit right in. It felt normal, even comfortable however that comfort comes at a cost. We get so used to speaking in a certain way that we never push ourselves to grow. Lack of confidence, limited vocabulary, fear of making mistakes and even upbringing or limiting beliefs all play a role. Many workers don’t feel heard, appreciated or able to express themselves fully and when we struggle to speak up, we also struggle with our mental health. This isn’t just a personal problem. It’s an industry-wide issue, so let’s get in to what happens with poor communication.

Why Poor Communication Matters

Poor communication is not just about sounding unpolished it has real, tangible consequences:

• Safety risks: Misunderstandings about instructions can cause accidents.
• Productivity loss: Tasks get repeated or delayed because directions weren’t clear.
• Conflict: When people cannot express frustration calmly, it often comes out as anger or aggression.
• Mental health strain: Bottling up emotions and lacking the words to express them adds to anxiety, stress and even depression.

The statistics are already heartbreaking. In the UK, construction workers are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), over 700 construction workers take their own lives each year around two every working day. A report from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) found that 48% of workers had experienced mental health problems and poor mental health costs the industry over £1.2 billion annually through absenteeism and lost productivity (CIOB, 2020).

Better communication is not the only solution but it is a vital piece of the puzzle.

Think of Your Mind as a Cup of Water

Here’s a simple analogy. Imagine your mind as a cup of water. If it’s already full of your own ideas, emotions and old habits, there’s no space left for anyone else’s thoughts. You cannot learn or grow if you are overflowing.

But if you pour some water out, you make room for new ideas. Listening, learning and letting others in creates space for growth. Emptying your cup means you become a better communicator, because you can take in other perspectives rather than forcing only your own.

On a construction site, this could mean a manager pausing to hear an apprentice’s idea or an apprentice being willing to learn from an experienced tradesperson instead of shutting down out of fear.

Empty cups make better teams.

My Own Turning Point

For me, the big change came not on site but in therapy. When I went to see a therapist about my mental health struggles, I realised I couldn’t put my feelings into words. I couldn’t explain myself. That was the moment it hit me communication isn’t just about giving instructions or writing emails. It’s about survival.

Since then, I’ve been training, learning and practising. Toastmasters has been a game changer, teaching me the power of pausing, storytelling and articulating my thoughts. I’m still on the journey but I now understand how communication transforms not only our work but our wellbeing and this is where the link becomes clear: the way we speak on site shapes the way we think and feel off site. Which brings us to styles of communication.

Styles of Speaking: What Works and What Doesn’t

On site, it’s common to hear shouting, swearing and filler words like “erm” and “innit.” While this creates a sense of familiarity, it doesn’t help when the message is important. A supervisor telling a worker to “just get it done, mate” might sound fine but it leaves too much open to interpretation.

Instead, clear, respectful and calm instructions build trust. Here are a few styles of speaking:

• Directive: Clear, concise, good for giving instructions but can sound harsh if overused.
• Collaborative: Inviting input, useful for planning and problem-solving.
• Supportive: Encouraging, helpful for apprentices or workers who lack confidence.
• Assertive but calm: Expressing emotions without anger, vital for leadership.

What we need to avoid:

• Aggressive communication that escalates conflict.
• Vague instructions that leave room for mistakes and confusion.
• Filler-heavy speech that weakens impact and takes away authority.

Shouting might get someone’s attention but clarity earns their respect.

Practical Tips for Better Communication

Improving communication doesn’t mean becoming a polished public speaker overnight. It’s about small, practical changes anyone can practise:

• Pause before speaking: Take a breath. It gives you clarity and confidence.
• Build your vocabulary: Read more, listen to podcasts or learn a new word a week.
• Practise storytelling: Share experiences with a beginning, middle and end.
• Use fewer filler words: Record yourself speaking and notice patterns.
• Stay calm under pressure: Use words to defuse, not escalate.
• Be okay with silence: A pause shows thoughtfulness, not weakness.
• Vulnerability is strength: Admitting when you don’t know something builds trust.
• Active listening: Repeat back what you’ve heard to show understanding.
• Body language: Eye contact, nodding and open posture add weight to your words.

The Link Between Communication and Mental Health

When you cannot say what you feel, you carry it inside. That burden leads to stress and anxiety. Good communication helps in two ways: it allows you to express what’s going on, and it allows you to be heard.

In a male-dominated industry like construction, there is often pressure to “man up” and hide emotions but the new masculinity is about being open, calm and respectful. Better communication makes it easier to support colleagues, reduce stigma and build healthier workplaces. Consider the apprentice who is struggling but stays quiet. If he feels safe enough to say, “I am finding this tough,” he can get guidance instead of suffering in silence. That one sentence could save him weeks of stress and possibly his career.

Real-Life Consequences of Miscommunication

Here are some everyday examples where miscommunication has serious consequences:

• A foreman shouts “move that load over there” but doesn’t point or clarify. The crane operator swings it the wrong way, causing a near-miss.
• Two trades argue over whose responsibility a task is. Without calm discussion, work is delayed and tempers flare.
• An apprentice makes a mistake but is too scared to speak up. The issue is only discovered later, costing time and money.

All of these could have been avoided with clearer, calmer and more respectful communication.

Solutions That Work

Improving communication doesn’t happen overnight but there are proven ways to build skills:

• Workplace training: Courses on communication, leadership and emotional intelligence.
• Mentorship: Experienced workers guiding younger ones in both technical and communication skills.
• Toastmasters or speaking clubs: Safe spaces to practise without judgement.
• Technology: Apps that build vocabulary or support collaboration.
• Personal practice: Recording yourself, reading aloud or mirror talk.
• Peer feedback: Asking trusted colleagues how you come across.

The Ripple Effect of Better Communication

When communication improves, everything else improves too:

• Fewer accidents and mistakes.
• Higher productivity and less wasted time.
• Better teamwork and morale.
• Reduced stress and improved mental health.
• Stronger leadership and career growth opportunities.
• Greater confidence inside and outside of work.

Think of communication as scaffolding. It supports everything else you’re trying to build. Without it, even the strongest materials will collapse.

Exercises to Strengthen Your Skills

Here are some simple exercises you can start today:

1. One-minute story: Pick an object and tell a one-minute story about it.
2. Pause game: Count to two before answering any question.
3. Word swap: Choose a filler word you overuse and replace it with silence.
4. Mirror talk: Speak to yourself in the mirror for five minutes a day.
5. Listening test: Repeat back exactly what a colleague says to you.

Small exercises, repeated often, build habits that stick.

Speaking Across Levels: Apprentices and Leaders

One final point: communication looks different at different levels of a company but the principles are the same.

• Apprentices: Practise speaking up early. Ask questions, admit mistakes and focus on clarity. These habits will serve you throughout your career.
• Supervisors: Model calm, respectful instructions. Remember, your tone sets the culture of the site.
• Leaders/CEOs: The way you speak cascades down through the organisation. If you model openness, respect and clarity, your teams will too.

Everyone onsite and offsite has a responsibility and an opportunity to build a culture of better communication.

My Final Word: You Can Do This

If you’re reading this and thinking, “but I’m not good at talking,” remember this: neither was I. I grew up saying “erm” and swearing through every sentence. I failed exams and thought I would never be good at speaking but through learning, practice and support, I’ve improved and if I can do it, so can you!

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to get started on this journey for self improvement and better communication.