Communication is one area that can always be improved.\u00a0 Getting the message across to others is what every manager has to do.\u00a0 Communicating well and consistently is not easy.\u00a0 You may do a good job of communicating the message out, but you might not do it often enough or to the right people.\u00a0 Or you may communicate often and to the right people but never seem to connect your words to their understanding.<\/p>\n
There are several key things to keep in mind when trying to get your message out.\u00a0 Talk may be cheap, but the value of a good communication process can not be overstated.<\/p>\n
Lets take a look at verbal communication<\/p>\n
Get to the point.<\/strong><\/p>\n Bottom Line Up Front – BLUF – I have heard it put this way.\u00a0 Get to the point of the conversation.\u00a0 Let people know what you are going to talk about and then add more info as you see their interest wax and wane.\u00a0 This is one that annoys me a lot.\u00a0 I will admit that after two or three sentences, I want to know what the purpose is for\u00a0 the conversation.\u00a0 Get it out there.\u00a0 Peoples minds will wander when someone babbles on with more info than what is needed.<\/p>\n Don’t ask undefined questions.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don’t start a conversation that causes the other person to be defensive out of the gate.\u00a0 “Do you have some spare time?”\u00a0 “Would you be willing to help me out?” “Are you busy at 3:00pm?”\u00a0 These kinds of questions immediately put the other person on the defensive.\u00a0 The usual answer will be “Why?”.\u00a0 People do not want to commit to doing something or offering their time if they do not know what is involved.\u00a0 Better to say “Do you have some spare time to help me with the report that is due in 2 hours?”<\/p>\n Ask them to repeat what you said.<\/strong><\/p>\n This is kind of tough and can appear insulting.\u00a0 When passing on instructions to others, some have given advice that includes having the person repeat the instructions you gave.\u00a0 They would respond with “You told me to reformat the hard drive, reinstall the software and configure the printer.” This might work for subordinates or your kids, but not for peers and others.\u00a0 I never ask them directly what I said, but ask them to confirm my summary of the conversation.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “The delivery is coming in early next week and you should see your new laptop after we prep it – so about 2 days later (just in case) – sound good?”\u00a0 “The CAD Software will be installed on your machine next Tuesday – that will work for you right?”<\/p>\n Confirm what they said to you.<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like the above only now you are confirming what they said.\u00a0 “So you will be there at 2:00 pm with the laptop and projector – right?”\u00a0 “So the next step in my plan is to seek advice from Sr. management and you suggested I call Bob – correct?”<\/p>\n Get commitments.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are seeking to get someone to assist or provide you with something, then get a commitment before you close the conversation.\u00a0 Don’t just trail away hoping that they will return to you with an answer.\u00a0 I usually ask for a commitment at the end.\u00a0 “Then you will help me – right?”\u00a0 If the conversation calls for a delay in the commitment, I try to get a deadline for the decision.\u00a0 “So you will get back to me by next Monday.\u00a0 Can I call you on Tuesday if I don;t hear from you?”<\/p>\n Avoiding some of the pitfalls of verbal conversations has many more nuances than just the very short list I have above.\u00a0 Think about how you can get better and try these and others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Communication is one area that can always be improved.\u00a0 Getting the message across to others is what every manager has to do.\u00a0 Communicating well and consistently is not easy.\u00a0 You may do a good job of communicating the message out, but you might not do it often enough or to the right people.\u00a0 Or you 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