Communicating Well
Whenever you communicate something, be clear in your own mind what you want the effect of your communication to be - do you expect action, understanding, sharing the information? What you want to happen will help form the way you choose to communicate.
The main idea
People vary in what they prefer in terms of reading or listening. Some prefer to read a written communication, either printed or as an email. Others prefer to hear information, either on the phone or face-to-face. Some respond better to a formal communication, others to something more personal or informal.
How will you decide? What is the best way to communicate to your individual staff?
What you are looking for is a method or combination of methods that will make sure that they receive and understand what you are trying to tell them, and will act on it if appropriate. This will depend on their individual preferences as well as what they are used to.
When you are planning any communication, think carefully about the minimum message that you want people to retain. Focus on that and on the best way to deliver that to the various people or groups that need that information.
Try this activity
From your experience, write down the names of two people who you would guess have differing communication preferences. Put yourself in the shoes of each one, knowing what you know about them, and describe the best way to communicate effectively with each of them.
Why this matters
Just telling people is only a small part of effective communication - it's not what you tell, but what the recipients hear or receive and understand that is the test of your communication. THis means you need to plan and be clear about what you want to happen as a result.
Whenever you communicate something, be clear in your own mind what you want the effect of your communication to be - action, understanding, telling someone else?
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