Tips for Effective Communication and Management Skills -Articles, Videos, How-To's

To be a good manager, you must have effective communication skills. Whether it's relaying information to employees that you oversee or checking in with your own boss, effective communication is the key to management success. When you can identify problems, praise success and motivate others, you are well on your way to being a successful manager. Here are four tips for effective communication skills:

1. Create an encouraging environment. An effective manager sets up a system where employees can express themselves, whether in public or private, and establishes ground rules for communication. Perhaps that means an open door policy or scheduled times for department-wide conferences. As long as you create an atmosphere of respect, employees and management will be encouraged to communicate. These management skills will go a long way in making the workplace a productive and positive one.
2. Be assertive. Assertive communication is not aggressive communication. Rather, it is the ability to say what you think in such a way that your views are expressed and the listener's opinions are also heard. It utilizes language that gets straight to the point and eliminates conversational fluff. Avoid tiptoeing around an issue, and deliver your message honestly and sincerely.
3. Express yourself non-verbally as well. Use body language to reinforce your message. Many experts agree that effective communication skills are enhanced when proper body language is used, such as sustained eye contact or emphatic gestures. If you are listening to an employee's complaints, be sure to keep eye contact with her to show you are interested and listening. When you are delivering a serious message to a group, use proximity and gestures to improve the significance of your words.
4. Follow up. As a manager, you need to see that whatever issue was initially communicated was resolved. For example, if a co-worker came to you with a complaint and steps were taken to resolve it, spend a few minutes with the co-worker to get feedback. If your own boss asked you for a particular report in time for a conference and you delivered it, give him a call after he's had a chance to review it, and see if you can answer any questions. These effective communication skills ensure that nothing slips through the cracks, promoting a more efficient and trouble-free workplace.