|
❶
Set the
goal
Decide what it is you would like to happen as a result of
your
→
communication, but keep the mind open to new ideas that may
emerge.
❷
Think win-win
Believe that everyone can win and
constantly seek mutual
→
benefits
in all business interactions. Avoid
offensive or battlefield metaphors that reinforce a win-lose rather
than a
win-win attitude.
❸
Listen actively
Concentrate on the speaker's message and keep an open mind. Don't
stop
listening if you hear something
that you disagree with. Rephrase the key points to ensure you
understand: "If I understand you correctly, you mean that..."
❹
Give people time to digest a new idea
People always
resist change,
new ideas
and new courses of action, even if the ideas are good for them. "Don't
expect to
→
"win" the first time. Your first job is just to start the
other person
thinking,"
advised
Benjamin Franklin.
>>>
❺
Invite
participation
Leverage
diversity. Hold
meetings
that include employees from
→
different areas and encourage
contributions. Encourage questions and respond to all queries.
|
❻
Be frank
Convey bad news as well as good. Don't be afraid to talk about
failures
but create feeling that
failures are steps to success
and part of organizational life. Distinguish between
noble and stupid failures. The only true failures are mistakes
that are made over and over without learning from them.
❼
Follow
through
If a promise is made or an agreement reached, follow it up with
action,
even if the action ends up being an explanation of why the promise
can't be kept in its original form.
❽
Give
positive feedback
Too many people forget that
feedback can be
positive as well as negative.
Positive feedback focuses on
improvements – achieved or possible; creates trust and cooperation.
❾
Connect personally
Some
employees are not in frequent contact with managers or each other.
Occasional
face-to-face interactions give more weight to subsequent
telephone conversations, e-mail messages, or memos.
❿
Extend
externally
Ensure that good within-enterprise
→
communication is carried over to outside parties like
customers and
suppliers. |
