Communicating Effectively in the Workplace

Written by Azriel Winnett


Continued from page 1

**********

Doubtlessly, you feel thatrepparttar Mr Richardson of Scenario One has quite a lot to learn.

Firstly, he has declined - to his peril - to give his full attention torepparttar 104742 task at hand. Secondly, he is probably still underrepparttar 104743 subconscious influence of an educational system that expectsrepparttar 104744 teacher or lecturer to pronounce, and expectsrepparttar 104745 unfortunate students to listen or take notes. Now that he is in a management position, he has instinctively assumedrepparttar 104746 role of a teacher who knows just about everything, and expects others to passively imbibe his knowledge.

The vital four steps in effective communication might well help people like this Mr Richardson to correct this distorted view ofrepparttar 104747 communication process. Some call themrepparttar 104748 four A's of communication. We can only discuss them very briefly here, although each of these four is worth an essay on its own.

ATTENTION

Winningrepparttar 104749 attention ofrepparttar 104750 person with whom we wish to communicate, is an obvious first step. In order to achieve this goal, we must first try to eliminate - as far as is humanly possible - what experts in this field call "noise". This includes everything that distracts, be it noise inrepparttar 104751 literal sense, physical or emotional discomfort, personal problems, negative attitudes, or distracting mannerisms or dress.

Respect forrepparttar 104752 other person is an important prerequisite for attention getting. The human greeting, or inquiry aboutrepparttar 104753 other person's health or personal circumstances, is an effective catalyst in this process. To be sure, if such introductions are false or stereotyped they might serve little purpose. Real empathy onrepparttar 104754 other hand, allrepparttar 104755 more so in downward communication from superior to subordinate, leads quickly torepparttar 104756 second step inrepparttar 104757 process.

APPREHENSION

Although this word usually carriesrepparttar 104758 connotation of "fear", its primary meaning is "understanding". We have preferredrepparttar 104759 term "apprehension" here primarily to retainrepparttar 104760 mnemonic of "four A's" Its two meanings, however, are related; they are two sides of one coin. The task ofrepparttar 104761 communicator is to changerepparttar 104762 aspect of "fear" into that of "understanding".

Achieving apprehension is a critical part ofrepparttar 104763 communication process, but it is a very subtle one also. Managers sometimes defend their inability to communicate by asking, "Do you understand?" This is usually an unfair question, and evenrepparttar 104764 somewhat improved "What do you understand?" is often perceived as a threat.

Onrepparttar 104765 other hand, if there isrepparttar 104766 right relationship betweenrepparttar 104767 transmitter andrepparttar 104768 receiver of a message, indirect ways of establishingrepparttar 104769 degree of understanding will present themselves. As Version Two above illustrates, encouraging a free flow of input fromrepparttar 104770 receiver isrepparttar 104771 best way of ensuring that understanding has been achieved.

ASSIMILATION

As crucial as isrepparttar 104772 function of apprehension (in its positive sense as we defined it,) it is not enough. Often, a person has understood a message perfectly, but he or she has not accepted it. Alternatively, it is accepted in a half-hearted manner, without any conviction. Communication is still incomplete if he has not assimilatedrepparttar 104773 information into his own being.

The initiator has achieved an ideal result ifrepparttar 104774 recipient has assimilatedrepparttar 104775 message torepparttar 104776 extent that he becomes one withrepparttar 104777 sender, as it were. Assimilation of a concept presented by management, or by another worker, goes a long way towards ensuring active participation, and harmonious cooperation, inrepparttar 104778 workplace.

ACTION

This isrepparttar 104779 final step in our communication process. It is that ingredient which propels abstract or theoretical knowledge intorepparttar 104780 world of reality. So often a good idea in business (no less than in other spheres) meets with facile acceptance or agreement, but is not translated into action.

If assimilation has indeed taken place, action onrepparttar 104781 part ofrepparttar 104782 receiver should follow inevitably. But what we have said aboutrepparttar 104783 two-sided nature of communication applies here as well. The originator ofrepparttar 104784 message must play his part, too, with abundant support and encouragement.



Azriel Winnett is the creator of HODU.COM - YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS PORTAL . This popular wbesite helps you to improve your communication and relationship skills on all levels, in business and professional life, in marriage and the family unit, and on the social scene.


Managers, Have You Been Shortchanged?

Written by Robert A. Kelly


Continued from page 1

The reason for this caution is thatrepparttar perception information you gather helps you establish your public relations goal. Examples might include, spike that rumor, correctrepparttar 104741 false assumption, or clarifyrepparttar 104742 misconception.

But how do you go about achieving that goal? You pickrepparttar 104743 right strategy fromrepparttar 104744 three choices available to you. Change existing perception, create perception where there may be none, or reinforce it. Be certain, however, thatrepparttar 104745 strategy you choose is an obvious fit with your new public relations goal.

Now, what will you say to members of your key target audience to help persuade those withrepparttar 104746 offending perception to your way of thinking? Select your PR team’s best writer because you must prepare a very special, corrective message. One that is not only compelling and believable, but very clear, based on solid facts and persuasive if it is to shift perception/opinion towards your point of view and lead torepparttar 104747 behaviors you have in mind.

The next step, luckily, is easy. You must select communications tactics to carry your message torepparttar 104748 attention of your target audience. Insuring thatrepparttar 104749 tactics you select have a record of reaching folks likerepparttar 104750 members of your target audience, you can pick from dozens that are available to you. From consumer briefings, media interviews, newsletters and personal meetings to speeches, facility tours, emails, brochures and many others.

Keeping in mind thatrepparttar 104751 method of communication can often affectrepparttar 104752 credibility ofrepparttar 104753 message, you may wish to deliver it during a meeting, a presentation or other small getogethers rather than in a higher-profile press release.

Soon, you will want to demonstrate that your new public relations effort is making progress. And that means a second perception monitoring session with members of your target audience. Using many ofrepparttar 104754 same questions as in your first benchmark session, you will now be on alert for signs thatrepparttar 104755 offending perception is being altered in your direction.

Fortunately, you can always move things along by adding more communications tactics as well as increasing their frequencies.

You will not be shortchanged – nor feel shortchanged – when you sharpen your focus onrepparttar 104756 very groups of outside people who play a major role in just how successful a manager you will be – your key external stakeholders.

Especially when you use a workable plan that helps you persuade those important outside stakeholders to your way of thinking, then moves them to take actions that lead torepparttar 104757 success of your department, division or subsidiary.

end



Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net Visit:http://www.prcommentary.com


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