Site Search: search
 
  Overview
 
  Among the many human relations skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively is crucial to your success as a manager. For a lengthier discussion of communication, you may refer to the PPC module Communication Skills.

Good communication skills help achieve your desired results when you:

1. Write or speak to individuals or groups

2. Train, instruct, and motivate your employees

3. Convey information and views to your peers or managers

4. Brainstorm, debate and develop ideas

Remember, everyone communicates all the time. Even when you say nothing, you are communicating something. When working toward effective communication, it is important to understand what impact the various components of communication have on your success as a manager. What is it that makes one way to communicate better than another? There are times when we get a reaction that we don't expect. What causes that? When we break down the components, we can see that there are three major elements:

1. Verbal: the words we choose

2. Vocal: the way we say them, such as tone, pitch or volume of voice

3. Visual: body language, facial expression, eye movement, gesturing

Each of these components provides a part of the overall effectiveness of communication. If you are able to use all three parts, you will have the greatest chance to be understood. When you are able to use only one or two, you run a greater risk of being misunderstood.

Spoken information is most effective when you:
Want to exchange information
Are trying to solve problems
Expect or desire questions or clarifications
Want to hear the listener's reaction and see his body language so you can respond accordingly

Written communication is most effective when you:

Have specific details that must be communicated
Want to get the same information to a variety of people
Want to have a record of your information, instructions, etc.