New Manager Communication Skills – Never Underestimate Your Influence
New Manager Communication Skills to Influence
Our message about new manager communication skills to those transitioning to management: Never underestimate your power to guide and motivate your team to succeed. And on the flip side, be fully aware that bad managers can have the opposite effect and create a team with low morale, low productivity and low team engagement.
Knowing how to manage well can make a dramatic difference to your organization. New manager communication skills are at the foundation of being able to lead, manage, and coach effectively.
What Being a New Manager Entails
We know from our people manager assessment center that managers have many expectations from different stakeholder groups. For example, most new managers are responsible for:
- Creating team charters to set their team’s direction
- Taking plans into action
- Aligning employees with company strategy
- Overseeing smooth day-to-day operations
- Being the link between senior leaders and the workforce
A list that can be daunting for someone who is trying to transition into a management role. But there is help…
The New Manager Top Skill?
According to Gallup, as much as 70% of the difference in the level of an employee’s engagement is their relationship to their manager. And communication is the foundational leadership skill that underlies both the ability to effectively handle the many roles of managers and to enhance relationships. Effective communication skills enable managers to build trust, cohesion, and alignment. A recent study conducted by the Association for Talent Development agreed. They found that the top skill related to success as a new manager is communication.
3 Tips on Communicating for New Managers
With 75% of executives reporting that they are unsatisfied with the performance of their front-line managers, there is no doubt that new people leaders need customized new manager training that measurably improves their ability to lead, manage, and coach their teams. It should include the new manager communication skills required to communicate effectively up, down and sideways to support your team. The best managers make a sincere effort to get to know their direct reports and they show that they care about their wellbeing and success by:
1. Meeting on a Regular Basis
Weekly one-on-one meetings need not be lengthy. Most often they are touch points to check in on how things are going. But if they are regularly scheduled, you are more likely to learn about problems before they get out of hand. Or to provide support with development opportunities or additional resources as needed. Or to address questions that, if unanswered, could cause misunderstanding, delays or missteps.
2. Providing Timely and Constructive Feedback
Giving your employees frequent feedback is the best way to manage expectations and encourage desired behaviors. When you can provide correction and support in small doses, employees are much more likely to make the appropriate behavioral changes. Show that you value and appreciate their contribution at work by helping them grow with your sincere, specific, and timely suggestions for improvement.
3. Using Language that Motivates
Whenever you can, keep the vision of success in front of your employees. Use compelling language to inspire them to work toward the team and company goals. As a coach and cheerleader, stay upbeat and encouraging. As milestones are reached, celebrate them. No, you needn’t be a Pollyanna but use obstacles as an opportunity to learn…then move on.
The Bottom Line
As a new supervisor you have a great responsibility, but you also have a great opportunity. Make sure you develop the new manager communication skills that allow you become the best boss that you can be. Effective communication is the foundation to lead your team to success.
To learn more about communication skills required to succeed as a new leader, download Effective Communication Skills – The Essential Ingredient in Any Interaction