Download Effective Communication For Supervisors

Effective Communication
For Supervisors
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Session Objectives
Understand the benefits of effective
workplace communication
Recognize obstacles to effective
communication
Improve your communication skills
Manage all your workplace communications
more effectively
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Session Outline
• Benefits of effective communication
• Why communication breaks down
• Essential elements of effective communication
• Effective feedback techniques
• How to conduct more effective meetings and give
better presentations
BLR®—Business
& Legal
Resources1408
1408
© BLR©®—Business
& Legal
Resources
Benefits of Effective
Communication
• Improves flow of
information
• Enhances teamwork
• Ensures accountability
• Provides greater
consistency
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Benefits of Effective
Communication (cont.)
Leads to
better quality
Ensures a safer
work environment
Improves
productivity
Increases customer
satisfaction
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
What Is Effective
Communication?
• Interactive
• Informative
• Positive
• Productive
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Obstacles to Effective
Communication
• Too many links
in the chain
• Too many messages
• Lack of clarity
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Obstacles to Effective
Communication (cont.)
• Undefined expectations
• Inadequate listening
• Failure to target audience
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Benefits of Workplace
Communication
• Does everyone
understand the benefits
of effective workplace
communication?
• What good
communication means?
• Why communication
can sometimes break
down?
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Focus on Your Message
• Think about it
• Organize your thoughts
• Consider your expectations
• Keep it simple
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Focus on Your
Message (cont.)
• Be precise
• Be concise
• Demonstrate when
appropriate
• Repeat your
message
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Think About Your Delivery
• Communicate directly
to people
• Keep a calm voice
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Think About Delivery (cont.)
• Use written communications
effectively
• Use memos or meetings for
a group
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Consider Your Timing
• Have the person’s
attention
• Person needs to
be receptive
• Be prepared to
answer questions
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Target Your Audience
• Whom are you
•
•
•
•
addressing?
What’s important
to them?
What are their concerns?
What’s their stake?
Are there any
special issues?
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Establish Credibility
• Speak from experience
• Back up your
statements with
evidence
• Speak with people,
not to them
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Listen Actively
• Focus on the speaker
• Keep an open mind
• Tolerate silence
• Ask open-ended
questions
• Repeat the speaker’s
thoughts
• Listen for facts
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Understand the Power of
Nonverbal Communication
• Body language gives
important clues
• Be aware of your
body language
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Power of Nonverbal
Communication (cont.)
• Beware of certain
signals
• Interpret body
language
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Essential Elements of
Effective Communication
• Do you understand
what we have
discussed about
essential elements
for effective
workplace
communication?
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
The Art of Criticism
• Do it in private
• Begin with a positive
•
•
•
•
statement
Criticize the work,
not the worker
Explain what needs
to change, and how
Be clear
End on a positive note
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Feedback:
Positive vs. Negative
• Positive
• Negative
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Feedback:
Objective vs. Subjective
• Objective
• Subjective
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Communicating Bad News
• Be straightforward
• Act promptly
• Take a personal approach
• Give a reason
• Put the news in perspective
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Overcoming Resistance
• Anticipate resistance
• Respect different views
• Incorporate opposing
arguments
• Criticize ideas, not people
• Restate your position
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
More Productive Meetings
• Distribute a memo
• Create an agenda
• Come prepared
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
More Productive
Meetings (cont.)
• Encourage
participation
• Summarize results
• Define future action
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Stronger Presentations
• Capture attention
• Maintain interest
• Anticipate questions
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Better Presentations (cont.)
• Engage the audience
• Summarize main points
• Encourage action
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408
Effective communication is the foundation
of positive working relationships
Successful communication requires you to
think about your message, delivery, timing,
and audience
Good communication is interactive—you
speak and you listen
Improving your communication skills will
make you a better leader
© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1408