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Communication Keys for Success
by Jeffrey W. Drake, Ph.D.
Improving communication is a major need for many organizations. Whether
you are a manager, supervisor, or frontline employee, there are always
opportunities to improve communication. Often, communication problems
occur when people don’t pay attention to the basics. Here are five keys to better
communication.
Focus on the Situation or Behavior
When communicating, focus on the situation or the behavior occurring, not the
person. This allows you to better communicate with the other person, rather than
to seemingly pick on them. People tend to be more open to discussing the
situation they are in or their behavior. When it gets personal, there is less
willingness to change.
Focus on the Positive
Focus on the positive aspects of the other person to build the other person’s
self-esteem. By looking at something positive about the other person, you can
better deal with areas needed for improvement.
Look for "Win-Win" Opportunities
Look for opportunities where both you and the other person benefit -- "win-win"
situations where both of you can develop. In today’s rapidly changing world,
managers, supervisors, and frontline employees can always learn from each other.
Strive for Open Communication
Strive for open and direct communication with others. A manager or supervisor
can speak in a direct and clear manner and still show respect for the other
person. Clear expectations provide direction for a job well done.
Share Information
Share appropriate information with others. Organizations are realizing that they
are all on the same team. Better sharing of information means that managers,
supervisors and frontline employees are better informed and can provide improved
customer service.
Jeffrey W. Drake, Ph.D., is a professional speaker and consultant for
AchieveMax®, Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations,
seminars, and consulting services. Dr Drake has made presentations ranging from
leadership to empowered teams and project management to communication styles for
a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare,
and manufacturing. He can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting
http://www.AchieveMax.com.