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Management Training


Communicating Up

While many training programs focus on the interpersonal skills needed to communicate with one’s peers and staff, few address the unique challenge of communicating up. The ability of first-line managers to effectively communicate up the line affects team-member retention, productivity, and even profitability.

This session focuses on communicating to those at higher levels. Participants will learn that communicating effectively with managers is all about understanding the manager’s style and environment first. Communication must be framed and adapted to fit the other person's unique perspective. Individuals will learn to frame communication up the chain of command to ensure candid dialogue that gets results.

Communicating Up provides the tools necessary to align the individual with communication requirements of his or her manager. With its focus on preparation and clear commitments, this course can help even experienced managers build a more effective process for communicating and collaborating within the organizational hierarchy. Managers will also learn how to deliver bad news, communicate group accomplishments, and get a manager's time and attention.

 

Course Impact

Managers and leaders will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of framing all communication with their manager in terms of his/her self-interest.
  • Enter meetings with their manager armed with a well-thought-out and clearly stated objective.
  • Clearly link objectives with facts that support their manager’s plans and goals.
  • Work with their manager to uncover any questions or reservations he/she may have concerning their message.
  • Move conversations toward agreement with questions that focus on benefits to be gained when the objective is reached.
  • Clearly and concisely restate the decision that result from Communicating Up and ensure that those decisions are mutually understood.