Management Communication Skills - Worth Making an Effort?

A manager needs to have good communication skills. It is one of the major elements of communication. One of the most vital skills in any manager or supervisor's portfolio of skills. But why? What are the benefits of being a good communicator?

Often a manager is asked to explain or make understood a new policy which is to be implemented or a particular process that is already in use be refined. It could be that new approaches are needed to make the difference in our challenging world.

For example, there may be times when he needs to find out where internal systems are holding back growth, resulting in poor performance in a business. He might decide to make a presentation suggesting improved measures which would add impetus by making the systems and processes more effective. In order to convey his strategy and get that established, it's essential for him to communicate well.

And, you know, another skill is the simple, day to day activity of listening to and talking with your people - as simple as that. So, of course, it’s important to master the art of communication. How and where are you to begin, if you are planning on fine-tuning this skill?

Misunderstandings often come from communication gaps, leading to more and more frustration! While trying to explain something new to the audience, it's sometimes found that the manager is wrongly interpreted or seems to be speaking out of context. During breaks, it's worth checking with the audience whether they have followed and where necessary, amend a presentation the next time. It's also worth exploring where they misunderstood and learning from this for the future.

When your people have come up with a problem, you might have felt that you understood all it's complex twists and turns. Trust me; you are not the only one to misinterpret what you thought you understood - it's so easy! When people are given a problem, they divert their attention towards finding a solution to it and in doing so they fail to understand the various aspects that the particular issue involves. By listening very carefully to the problem, by paying close attention to the detail and asking incisive questions, you will ensure there is little home for misunderstanding. This is a really effective way of getting into a problem and resolving it.

All the decisions you take might not be right but you can cut down on the number of wrong decisions. If you write down all possibilities and evaluate their various pros and cons, you will, without doubt make better decisions. Also, if you want to put into effect the decision you have taken, it's worth thinking also from the recipient's point of view in advance.

When working with a team, top-class communication and collaboration is essential. You need to manage your team well and build team-spirit where you can. Where new ideas and plans are going to be implemented, let your team know about it in the most timely fashion - if possible, get them involved in the 'how' of the implementation. Another thing you can do is to discuss changes fully with them, so they can voice their opinions and integrate their contributions in how they feel it will be best to work in future.

Resources for your communication activities need to be arranged and, where investment allows, improved over time. New support staff can be involved to make things run more smoothly and more appropriate equipment bought. These are a few ways to improve the technical side of your communication skill. So, starting today, it's worth deciding that you are going to take yourself the top of the communications scale with your people.

Developing your personal communication skill is one of the most important tactics in your management development toolkit. It has the potential to catalyse great success. Only you can do it!

Martin Haworth