Communication skills are critical for managers.
People with enhanced abilities in communication typically have successful relationships at work and home.
Good communicators typically have 10 attributes:
1. Listening
Effective communicators have good listening skills. That includes paying attention to how others speak and their nonverbal messages – AKA body language.
Just as importantly, they clear their minds to focus on what other people are saying instead of just thinking about what to say next.
What counts in communication? Listening skills for discernment and trust.
Discerning people are the most successful and listening skills are important for managerial discernment.
2. Awareness of others
Effective communicators make good eye contact and use the names of people when they talk with them. They ask for opinions and they wait and consider the answers.
In responding, good communicators think about how and what to say. They consider the emotional impact of their words.
3. Empathy
Stellar communicators empathize – they try to understand other viewpoints. In a diverse workplace, it’s important to consider the divergent needs of employees as much as possible. They take into account abilities, attitudes, cultures and past experiences.
4. Inspiration with encouragement
Good managers – in words and action – encourage their teams. They praise performance. They make workers feel appreciated and valued.
They leverage the perspective of employees – their human capital – with strategies to earn their employees’ respect.
5. Humor
When appropriate, good communicators encourage and use humor. Humor helps make work fun.
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
-George Bernard Shaw
6. Fairness
Effective communicators treat employees equally. They don’t play favorites in assignments. They’re careful to avoid errors in evaluations and salary reviews.
They avoid confusion, and encourage transparency – open and honest messaging. They maintain confidentiality and respect boundaries.
7. Avoidance of unnecessary conflict
Good managers anticipate problems and resolve issues before they come to a head. They understand all points of view and encourage discussion. They’re unbiased and are good negotiators.
They discourage office politics.
Even if they feel angry, they wait until they’re calm before taking action. It’s not OK to be angry.
8. Positive attitudes
It’s important to be approachable. Even when they’re having bad-hair days, effective managers are friendly and positive. They smile and stay cheerful.
9. Minimal stress
Stress carriers aren’t managers. Stress serves an obstacle to communication. If necessary, good managers train themselves to stop stressing.
10. Courage
Much has been written about preferred skills for managers. We always talk in mundane terms for the need of managers to convey a vision, achieve goals and to foster growth and well-being for a work-life balance.
Seldom do we talk about courage in communication – a critical characteristic of effective managers.
From the Coach’s Corner, here related sources of information:
Spelling Tips to Enhance Your Communication Skills — Good communication skills start with using proper grammar and spelling. They’re central for your career growth. People who communicate stand head and shoulders above their peers.
A Top Marketing Goal: Enhance Your Internal Communication — Businesses have two communication sources that are expenses that conversely are sources of profit – the external marketplace – and internal, their human capital. But all your money poured into marketing doesn’t accomplish much unless you devote equal resources to employee programs and communication.
Communication – You Can Train Yourself to Stop Stressing — Feeling pressure is one thing but allowing it to morph into stress and tension means you’re giving away your power, which inhibits your performance.
Listening Skills to Improve Your Relationships and Business Performance — What counts in communication? Listening skills for discernment and trust. Discerning people are the most successful and listening skills are important for discernment. That goes for athletes and management, alike.
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
-George Bernard Shaw
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