Communication Skills Every Manager Must Master

A successful project manager must be an excellent communicator. Communication is the vehicle for project management. Effective project communication is the foundation of any successful project, and any miscommunication can turn out to be fatal for a project. In this article at Project Risk Coach, the author shares a few tips for becoming a better project communicator.

Boosting the Effectiveness of Communication

Create Visuals

The famous adage goes, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words.‘ One of the best ways to improve communication is through the use of visuals. You can build a model, create a visual in PowerPoint, or create a Kanban board to engage your project team in developing the project schedule.

Set Aside Time for Conversation

Never have a conversation, whether in-person or online, if you aren’t prepared to dedicate your attention. If you are distracted by other tasks or in a rush, your conversations might lead to miscommunication. Even it is just a five-minute conversation with your team members, ensure to set aside time to listen and answer them thoughtfully.

Be Receptive to Feedback

Ask someone to observe you when you speak, train, or conduct meetings.  Hear their observations and suggestions for improving your communication. This is one of the fastest ways to enhance your communication skills.

Read, Read, and Read

Reading books on communication can refine your skills. Some of the books that will help you deliver the right message, the right way, and at the right time include:

• Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John Maxwell
• Crucial Conversations – Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson and Joseph Grenny
• Five Stars: The Communication Secrets to Get from Good to Great by Carmine Gallo
• We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations that Matter by Celeste Headlee
• Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Anne Handley

With a clear communication plan in place, mindful listening, and the right communication tools, you can be better prepared to take on any project that comes your way. To read the original article, click on https://projectriskcoach.com/better-project-communicator/.

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