Communication Skills
A vital component of good, professional management (and leadership) is communication, in all its forms. It is also necessary for all of us, regardless of position! Unfortunately, communication skills are something we all take for granted much of the time - and rarely really think about the what they are and the how effective we are!! Who do you know who will admit to not being a good communicator? Not many!! Yet, how often do things go wrong, get done incorrectly, or not at all? If you think that this is an area which can be improved, and think we can support you with this, send an e-mail."The meaning of my communication is the response I get."
Start to take this message on board and you will improve your interpersonal communication skills and can transform the way you communicate with others.
Let's be honest - if an individual, a team or even an organisation is not doing what they could or should it can almost certainly be tracked back to poor management communication skills.
Communication is something we do all the time - with what we say, what we write, what we do. We cannot not communicate!!
What are special about management communication skills? In many ways, nothing,
apart from the contexts in which managers are communicating and the need to
think more about the direction of their message!
Managers are going to need to communicate downwards to their own teams and others, with peers at the same or similar levels, and upwards to their bosses. To do this effectively they need a range of communication skills.
What does a good communicator do?
Let's be honest - if an individual, a team or even an organisation is not doing what they could or should it can almost certainly be tracked back to poor management communication skills.
Communication is something we do all the time - with what we say, what we write, what we do. We cannot not communicate!!
What are special about management communication skills? In many ways, nothing,
apart from the contexts in which managers are communicating and the need to
think more about the direction of their message!Managers are going to need to communicate downwards to their own teams and others, with peers at the same or similar levels, and upwards to their bosses. To do this effectively they need a range of communication skills.
What does a good communicator do?
- They are clear about the objective of their communication.
- They consider their audience.
- They adapt the way they send their message to fit with the likely audience expectations and capabilities.
- They know when to be factual - when to be more emotive.
- They notice the response of their audience - and encourage even more feedback.
A simple checklist for improving communication is to ask yourself:
What (is my message or outcome)?
Who (is my audience)?
How (will I communicate)?
What (will I do to check the understanding or to get feedback)?
What communication skills does this need? At one level, it is not about the skills - it is more of an attitude issue. Most of us have the ability to communicate effectively - we have to consider what stops us. The list below covers many - of not all of the specific elements of what me might cover on a communication skills workshop, and is a mixture of skills and knowledge.
What (is my message or outcome)?
Who (is my audience)?
How (will I communicate)?
What (will I do to check the understanding or to get feedback)?
What communication skills does this need? At one level, it is not about the skills - it is more of an attitude issue. Most of us have the ability to communicate effectively - we have to consider what stops us. The list below covers many - of not all of the specific elements of what me might cover on a communication skills workshop, and is a mixture of skills and knowledge.
- What is communication?
- Understanding the process and the barriers
- Communication styles
- Flexibility in communication
- Attentive listening
- Questioning skills
- Summarising
- Interpersonal communication
- Presentation skills
- Written communication - letters, e-mails, report writing, proposals
When you know what areas your managers or staff need help with - ask what we can do to help them improve.
To find out more about your own communication style - go to the download and try out the "Personal Communication Style" tool.
If you want to know more about how we can help to improve interpersonal and communication skills within your organisation fill in the form below and send it to us.
To find out more about your own communication style - go to the download and try out the "Personal Communication Style" tool.
If you want to know more about how we can help to improve interpersonal and communication skills within your organisation fill in the form below and send it to us.
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