Table of Contents >
Chapter 15. Becoming an Effective Manager >
Section 4. Promoting Internal Communication >
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| Contributed by Phil Rabinowitz Edited by Bill Berkowitz and Tim Brownlee |
Tool # 1: A Quiz for Assessing and Discussing Your Communication Behavior (Adapted from Joining Together by David W. Johnson and Frank P. Johnson.)
Begin a discussion of communication in groups by answering the following questions as honestly as possible.
1. If I, as a group facilitator, were giving information, and the other group members sat quietly with blank faces, I would
_____state the instructions clearly and precisely and then move on.
_____encourage members to ask questions until I was sure that everyone understood, and knew what was expected of him.
2. If a group facilitator gave information that I didn't understand, I would
_____keep silent and later ask another group member what the facilitator meant.
_____immediately ask the facilitator to repeat the instructions and answer my questions until I was sure I understood and knew what was expected.
3. How often do you let others know when you like or approve of something they say or do?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
4. How often do you let others know when you are irritated by, impatient with, embarrassed by, or opposed to something they say or do?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
5. How often do you check out what others are feeling and how they are reacting, rather than assuming that you know?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
6. How often do you encourage others to let you know how they are reacting to your speech and actions?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
7. How often do you check to make sure you understand what others mean before agreeing or disagreeing?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
8. How often do you paraphrase or restate what others have said before responding?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
9. How often do you keep thoughts, ideas, feelings, and reactions to yourself?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
10. How often do you make sure to pass on whatever information you have about the topics of importance or topics under discussion?
Never 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Always
The first two questions look at whether your communication is two-way. Questions 3 and 4 focus on your willingness to tell others about the effect of their messages on you; 5 and 6 on your willingness to ask for and receive the same information about your own messages from them. Questions 7 and 8 deal with how you take in others' messages. And 9 and 10 concern how willing you are to give information out.
Looking at the whole picture, how would you describe your own communication pattern?
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Checklist
Here, you'll find a checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the text
___You understand what internal communication is
___You understand the advantages of using internal communication and have promoted it
Organizational climate and culture
___You have practiced what you preach
___You trust everyone similarly
___You made sure information flows in all directions
Clear definitions of what needs to be communicated and by whom
___You have communicated issues affecting anyone's work conditions or status to the individual or individuals.
___You have made sure problems between staff members are addressed immediately
___You have made sure pertinent and important information is communicated to everyone involved
Systems
___You have used systems to promote internal communication
- Hiring
- Staff Training
- Supervision
- Regular Meetings
- Procedures and clear lines of communication for dealing with out-of-the-ordinary situations
- Accessibility of everyone in the organization
- Occasional or institutionalized opportunities to socialize, either at work or elsewhere
Monitoring and improving internal communication
___You have checked staff satisfaction with the information they receive
___You have gathered feedback from staff meetings
___You've made internal communication a topic at organization meetings
___You have tested information flow though the organization
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