Table of Contents >
   Part E. Leadership, Management, and Group Facilitation
      Chapter 15. Becoming an Effective Manager >
         Section 4. Promoting Internal Communication >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Promoting Internal Communication

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Phil Rabinowitz Edited by Bill Berkowitz and Tim Brownlee

Tools
Checklist

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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