MANAGERS' COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT

How to Get Your Message Across

Personal and strategic methods

When we apply personal and strategic methods to how we communicate ideas and messages to our teams, it can result in better uptake of instructions, more effective decision-making and improved team satisfaction.

Below is a model that managers can apply when planning how to communicate an idea or message.

Managers Communication Model

PURPOSE

OUTCOMES

Make it about mission/vision

Engaged employees believe their work has meaning and that it supports the purpose and values of their organization. This keeps them motivated and better able to cope with challenges and change. The communications professional must therefore work with the senior leaders to clearly explain organizational purpose, priorities and outcomes and promote the benefits these will bring. The secret is to do this honestly.

MOTIVATION

Engaged employees believe their work has meaning that it supports the purpose and are better able to copy with challenge and change

Understand individuals

Engaged employees express their true selves because they see a connection between their personal and professional identity. Managers and communicators must drop all bias, get to know the human being and personalize content, messaging and activity to reflect employee experience and well as unique personal wants, needs, expectation and aspirations.

NEW BEHAVIORS

Engaged employees express their true selves because they see a connection between their personal and professional identity.

Encourage belonging and build respectful relationships

Positive and engaging cultures encourage belonging. Organizations must unite people and celebrate individuals as part of something bigger. Leaders must be available to staff when needed. Managers should also prioritize respectful relationships and evidence trust by offering appropriate levels of freedom, flexibility, involvement and control.

CULTURE CHANGE

Employees feel they can voice opinions and offer feedback, which helps to create a better work environment for everyone.

Recognize success

Studies have shown that gratitude is sometimes missing in the workplace, yet it's highly valued by employees and can lead to benefits including motivation, advocacy, productivity, innovation and, of course, engagement. Different people express gratitude in different ways, so we must consider what will work best in our organization. Everyone across all levels, roles and locations must be considered.

NEW BEHAVIORS

Promotes motivation, advocacy, productivity, innovation and increased team engagement.

When communicating, it’s important that we are mindful of our own well-being (e.g., stressed, angry, happy, relaxed, unprepared) as this translates through body language and tone and can affect how your message is received. Where possible, always give yourself time in between interactions to center yourself and put your best self forward.