Practice: Clarity and Direction as a Manager

Four strategies can help you improve communication, helping you to communicate for clarity and direction.

Being positive

What to do:

  • be courteous
  • make personal connections
  • provide positive reinforcement
  • discourage negativity

What not to do:

  • tolerate negativity, including gossip
  • be dismissive, disinterested, disrespectful, or oblivious

Seeking and providing feedback

What to do:

  • solicit feedback
  • provide feedback

What not to do:

  • get defensive or angry

Keeping employees in the loop

What to do:

  • explain changes and decisions
  • be open, honest, and candid
  • tell the truth
  • share information

What not to do:

  • be vague, evasive, or avoid answering questions
  • fail to clearly explain changes and decisions
  • share secret or discreet information

Listening actively

What to do:

  • give your full attention
  • check for understanding
  • paraphrase or restate
  • use open-ended questions
  • listen for feelings
  • summarize

What not to do:

  • interrupt
  • fail to pick up on nonverbal signs
  • judge, dismiss, or ignore feelings