Depressing when things go round in circles, isn’t it?
In 2009, Engaging for Success identified managers as one of the
enablers of effective employee engagement, with the importance of effective communication
very evident. That was hardly the first time the issue had been highlighted, so
why are we still hearing so many concerns about managers and communication
capabilities? Why, after so many years, have we not ‘cracked it’?
For me, the root of the issue lies in the way we prepare
people to become managers. Generally we still promote people based on technical
skills rather than people management abilities. And when we do so, we don’t put
enough emphasis on developing management capabilities: communication being one
of them. Yes, there are occasional courses, either bespoke or ‘off the shelf’,
but it’s rarely an area for consistent coaching or support. And it often falls
by the wayside in the face of other priorities.
As a result, we never really address the issue, leading to
more hand wringing in conversations and conferences across the land. If we
could establish a more consistent focus on communication as a core skill for
managers, it would surely strengthen culture and bring benefits to employers
and employees alike. It would require time, commitment and investment, but
perhaps we could finally consign this repetitive conversation to the past.
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