TABLE OF CONTENTS To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.
Donald Laird
The first two sections looked at the process of communication and some of the factors which affect the context in which messages are sent and received. They gave the framework for what happens whenever we interact with other people.
This section looks at a variety of work situations which involve tailoring the communication process to meet specific objectives. It covers the skills involved in:
giving feedback
influencing
networking
negotiating
making a presentation.
Giving feedback on performance is an essential skill for any manager.
When do you give feedback to team members?
FEEDBACK
Most organizations have some form of performance appraisal system in which each appraisal meeting involves the three main stages of:
reviewing performance against existing work objectives (including giving feedback)
setting new/revised work objectives
identifying and planning to meet development needs.
In addition, line managers may also take on responsibility for directly developing team members, e.g. by delegating, coaching, which also involve the process of giving feedback.
However, giving feedback to your team should be an integral part of daily routine. It doesn't have to be formal; a few words of appreciation or encouragement can have a positive impact on motivation. Motivation is the inner drive that makes us do things. One theory about motivation was put forward by Maslow. [1] He identified that people have the following needs:
The need to maintain our bodies, i.e. with food and...
