Effective Communication for Supervisors

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Communication Objectives

Topics: How communication works; Training new employees; Learning about your crew; Setting an example; Giving and receiving instructions; Motivating your crew; Using communication tools; Speaking on the telephone; Publishing in the company newsletter; Giving and taking interviews

Learning Objectives:

• Explain how communication works.
• Explain how to use the various communication tools.
• Give examples of effective telephone use.
• Tell how to give and receive instructions effectively.
• Demonstrate effective interview techniques.

Chapter 2: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Topics: Understanding the surrounding circumstances; Understanding the receiver's background; Understanding nonverbal language; Working with language; Language growth; Building word awareness; Phrasing the message; Understanding varied meanings; Understanding other verbal clues; Understanding levels of language; Words for maintenance workers; Changes in workplace vocabulary

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the importance of context in communication.
• Describe how a receiver's background affects the message.
• Define and give examples of nonverbal language.
• Describe ways to improve vocabulary.
• Explain the importance of precise word choice.

Chapter 3: How to Listen

Topics: Listening is important; What makes a poor listener; What good listening means; Head off trouble by listening; How to be a good listener; The importance of getting feedback; Asking questions and paraphrasing; How to be open to new ideas

Learning Objectives:

• Tell how to be a good listener.
• Explain what makes a poor listener.
• Give techniques for identifying problems through good listening.
• Explain the importance of getting feedback.
• Show how to ask questions and paraphrase.

Chapter 4: Communication Maintenance

Topics: What you need to be a supervisor; Oral communication skills; Making sure your instructions are clear; Handling bad news; Motivating your crew; Communication maintenance; How language is understood; Checking your language skills; Developing your vocabulary; Listening as a supervisory skill; Asking for feedback; Management vocabulary

Learning Objectives:

• Give techniques for developing a management vocabulary.
• Tell how to check and maintain language skills.
• Show how to make sure instructions are clear.
• Explain how communication can motivate a crew.
• Give techniques for improving listening as a supervisory skill.

Chapter 5: Planning Your Writing

Topics: Determining your purpose; Writing to inform; Persuasive writing; Knowing your audience; The audience's effect on what you write; Point of view; Tone; Prewriting; Organizing your writing; Writing to motivate; Think before you write

Learning Objectives:

• Tell how to determine the purpose for writing.
• Explain why it is crucial to know the audience.
• Give examples of a writer's point of view.
• List techniques used in prewriting.
• Describe how to organize a written piece.

Chapter 6: The Mechanics of Writing

Topics: Syntax; Syntactical problems; Passive and Active voice; Parallel structure; Punctuation; Stoppers; Interrupters; Introducers; Commas

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the importance of syntax.
• Compare the passive voice with the active voice.
• Recognize parallel structure.
• Identify the different types of punctuation.
• Give examples of comma usage.

Chapter 7: Business Writing

Topics: Using writing effectively; Communicating email; Email memos; How email memos are planned; Email memo format; Letters; Letter format; Reports; Report format; Progress reports; Recommendation reports

Learning Objectives:

• Give examples of memo, letter, and report format.
• Explain how to use and write a memo.
• Explain how to use and write a letter.
• Explain how to use and write a report.

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