Page 65 - Perfect Phrases for Motivating and Rewarding

Clear Communication

The Motivational Mindset
■ Think about the consequences of poor communication:
mistakes; misinformation; lack of commitment; untapped
potential; failure to implement change; and lost time, money,
and resources.
■ Be question-friendly. Some people surround themselves with
invisible walls that say, “Do not disturb.” They discourage
questions that, if answered, would provide time-saving
clarification.
■ Understand that everyone doesn’t process information the
same way. Some people respond better to verbal instructions
or information, others to written, and still others may need a
hands-on demonstration. Communication styles may include
paraphrasing, using examples, empathizing, or reflecting.
■ Be clear about your expectations, needs, and communication
style.
■ Explain new tasks clearly, step by step, demonstrating
(if appropriate) and stopping along the way to ensure
comprehension. Complex instructions may be best explained
in writing as well as verbally. You may want to write out key
points or ask the employee to take notes. If the instruction
will be repeated, the document will become a handy tool for
training or reference.
■ Clarify deadlines and be specific. How far along do you want
the task by what deadline? Do you want a status report before
the final deadline? When asking someone to work overtime,
be specific about times and dates.
■ Everyone processes information in the framework of their
own priorities unless given clear expectations and exact time
frames.

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