Communicating Up

The ability of first-line managers to effectively communicate up the line affects team-member retention, overall productivity and even profitability. The manager must properly represent the team’s efforts and challenges so that issues and problems can be addressed before it’s too late for corrective action. An important part of that communication is mutual agreement on what needs to be done, why it’s important, and when it will be accomplished. That fundamental agreement is what Communicating Up helps managers to achieve.

Communicating Up (CU) provides the tools necessary to align the individual with communication requirements of his or her manager. With its focus on preparation and clear commitments, CU can help even experienced managers build a more effective process for communicating and collaborating within the organizational hierarchy.

Communicating Up helps managers learn the process required for informative and productive dialogs that will be valued by more senior managers. Throughout the workshop, they will review video presentations and case studies, participate in group discussions, practice new skills, and receive immediate feedback.  Managers leave with implementations tools, troubleshooting guides and additional resources to help them apply the skills they have learned on the job. The 4-5 hour workshop is designed for 6-18 participants and includes the following:

  • Understanding Your Manager’s Communication Style
  • Delivering Bad News
  • Communicating Your Group’s Accomplishment
  • Getting Your Manager’s Time and Attention

Managers and team 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 their objective with facts that support their 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 insure that those decisions are mutually understood.

Communicating Up Workbook- $39.00

Participant Workbook Includes:

  • Exercises, forms, skill practice aids, and a video synopsis.
  • Job Aids section with tools and resources for applying the skills learned in the workshop.
  • Memory Jogger Card providing a handy reminder of the workshop’s skill points.

Communicating Up Facilitator Kit- $550.00

Facilitator Guide Includes:

  • Complete instructions on how to conduct the workshop.
  • Explanatory text for the trainer, sample trainer narrative, transcripts of video segments and facilitation notes.
  • Facilitator Resource CD-Rom containing PowerPoint presentation, additional resources, and reproducible pages from the facilitator guide as well as entire participant workbook.

Video

  • Introduction followed by a scenario displaying positive use of the three skill points discussed in the program.
  • Video segments focusing on modeling positive behaviors for skill practices.
  • Scenarios in both office and industrial settings.