Frontline Manager: Better Communication

Almost everything that happens in the workplace requires some form of communication. Frontline managers have to communicate with the workers they supervise, with their colleagues in management, and with their bosses in the executive suite. Being able to communicate clearly and effectively is a vital skill for any frontline manager. This course provides a brief introduction to communication theory, but the main emphasis is on practical approaches to communicating in the workplace. Topics include verbal and nonverbal communication; how to develop a clear message; how to tailor your message to suit your purpose; how to communicate down, to the workers who report directly to you; and how to communicate up, to your bosses in senior management. Learning Outcomes Define "communication," and explain why effective communication is important in the workplace Distinguish between push communications and pull communications, and explain the different elements of a communications model List the major characteristics of effective communication and describe how to use them Formulate a clear primary message and develop appropriate secondary messages to support it Distinguish between "communicating up" and "communicating down," and demonstrate your ability to do each effectively Practice active listening Run a meeting effectively Identify and eliminate jargon from your work communications