Supportive Communication (mana

1149 Words3 Pages

Supportive Communication (Managers)

Most managers in the workplace find that the most important factor in promotability is effective communication. With this in mind it is strange to see that many managers and employees within organizations lack effective communication skills. In fact, managers still find effective communication to be the biggest problem in organizations. Why do so many people lack these skills? This is often due to the fact that employees are not aware of the importance and their lack of this skill. Employers in the organizations of today are stressing the importance of communication more and more. Emphasis is placed on communication being clear by being transmitted strongly with precise images.
The foundation of effective communication is supportive communication. This form of communication preserves relationships while addressing the problem in the most effective manner. There are eight attributes of supportive communication.
? The first is to be problem-oriented, not person oriented. You should always direct the statement towards the problem, staying away from comments that become personal. Statements that become personal cause the person to resist your suggestions.
? Be congruent, not incongruent. Statements should reflect the true feelings of the one expressing them without angering or insulting the one that it is directed towards. Managers that hide their true feelings and opinions cause subordinates to believe that there is something hidden about themselves that the manager does not wish for them to know. Congruence in communication leads to more satisfaction in relationships.
? Make statements descriptive, not evaluative. Statements should not be made to evaluate the person. It should describe events and solutions. When statements are made to evaluate the person it invokes feelings of defensiveness. No person likes his or her behavior to be judged or labeled. Here are some simple steps for descriptive communication:
I. Describe objectively the event, behavior, or circumstance.
II. Focus on the behavior and your reaction, not on the other person's attributes.
III. Focus on solutions.
? Be validating, not invalidating. Validating statements make people feel important and needed. Invalidating statements make people lose confidence in themselves and cause them to see themsel...

... middle of paper ...

... attitudes.

Why is communication so important in organizations? Failing to communicate effectively often causes lack of cooperation, poor accuracy, low productivity, tension, gossip, rumors, increased turnover, absenteeism and tardiness. There are eight other techniques to improve communication in the workplace.
? Focus on the positive. If managers are always telling their workers about things that they are doing wrong they will lose self-esteem. Tell them about the good that they do as well.
? Always listen to workers. Their feedback can be invaluable at times and listening makes workers feel valued.
? Treat employees with respect.
? Always be specific with instructions making sure that the listener understands.
? Relying on memos and bulletins is often cold and impersonal. Use a more personal approach and talk to employees.
? Knowledge should be shared to help employees, not hidden to control them.
? Keep an open door policy for all employees.
? Give employees the chance to disagree with managers and come up with new ideas.
Source is from: Developing Management Skills Fourth Edition; David A. Whetten, Kim S. Cameron; Copyright 1998 Addison Wesley.

Open Document