All management training programs or management courses specify that communication skills are one of the most important skills of a manager.
Communicating a vision doesn’t mean you have large message boards with your vision written on them placed at strategic locations. It might be effective to catch attention but to retain that attention you are going to have to do something else. You have to make sure that your team understands your vision and shares your vision with you. Apart from articulating your vision good communication is essential to conducting business on a day to day basis.

Most management training programs and management training courses will focus on the communication skill. It is important to understand that conversation is not communication. A good communication through conversation takes place when

* You ensure that your message is understood
* You must receive and understand the message sent to you
* You have some control over the flow of the conversation.

So, communication skill is not just about speaking but listening as well.

Good communication should avoid ambiguity. If there is a chance that a message might be misunderstood then it should be clarified. Remember, that words often have different meanings in different context and cultures.

For instance dry country can mean without water or without alcohol; suspenders can keep up pants as well as stockings. So, it depends on the context and the culture. How can you avoid this? Here are some tips to do that

* Repeat the message for confirmation
* If necessary write back the message
* Give proper background before speaking. This will make people aware as to which context you are going to speak about.
* Similarly, ask others about the context in which they are speaking

Communication is a two way street. And this is something that all management gurus agree on. Check on any management training manual or book any you will see that this point is being made. So, just like others listen to what you say, you have to listen to what others say. Also, nothing is more intimidating than silence. People become nervous of silence and try to fill it up with information. So, this is a great way of gathering information. At the end of any conversation summarize what has been said. Also, emphasize the outcome of the meeting.

Management meetings are an integral part of a manager’s life. The meeting can be with your superiors or subordinates. For each type of meeting your preparation and presentation has to be different. Meetings can be formal or informal. Whatever type of meeting, you have to be prepared if you want the meeting to be effective.

Categories: A Great Manager, MBA
Tags: