Excerpt: Communications. What is it really, and why is there so
many written and said about it? Well, it’s more than just talking and
listening. Quite frankly, communication is the foundation of leadership, and
there are many ways that we communicate; with speech, with body language, and
with direction. All of this and more makes up the world of human
communications. You already know how to talk, but communications is more than
just talking. Your effectiveness as a supervisor depends on your verbal skills.
Your attitude towards people, and of course the non-verbal gestures and signals
you make. What kinds of signals are you sending? Do you set the example? Do you
say one thing and then do another? Do you contradict yourself? Or, are you
consistent? If you’re a person who listens to your employees, and then provides
them with feedback, whether its good or bad news, and you do this consistently,
your employees will perceive you as a good listener and communicator. But if
you’re a person who is in a good mood one day, and a bad mood the next your
employees won’t know how to take you because you’re not very consistent. They
will either wait until they can determine your mood that day, or they’ll ignore
you as much as possible. Now that’s not the kind of relationship you really
want. You have to listen to your employees, and respond to their questions,
suggestions, concerns, and gripes. Good listening skills take a lot of effort
and work. But the rewards are great. Let’s take a look at the things which can
prevent you from really communicating. First of all, not recognizing the need
to communicate. You may say my people surely know this by now, or it didn’t
seem important to tell them that…
