Making clear plans and communicating them
Featured in the Partnerships at Work training manual
By Ken Birkett & Val Rowland
Category: Performance Management
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
Most people plan future objectives to some extent, although not to the same extent. They develop routines and follow behaviour patterns to achieve their goals. Depending on circumstance and personal style, they may share information about these with others around them. In the workplace today, where there are fewer people and wider responsibilities, making plans and communicating them to others become essential activities for all managers, regardless of personal managerial inclination. De-layering, which results in compressed work structures, also results in much closer relationships between the manager and the ‘managed’. Each is much more ‘visible’ to the other. Paradoxically, this may not lead to better understanding unless efforts are made by both parties to bring that about. For example, one might sense that someone is at a loss to give an answer to a request, but may not know why. Action/inaction and mood are easy to observe, but reasons have to be deduced if there is no explanation. Patterns emerge, and these tend to result in general, often unhelpful assumptions. This all points towards the need for: planning and communicating – about both work and relationships; consistency of action and manner by all; and sensitive two-way relationships. These in turn require: a systematic and thoughtful boss; and receptive and co-operative subordinates. These are characteristics which can be developed and nurtured.
This training activity begins with a brief introduction to the topic of work relationships and activities. Participants complete a questionnaire about being a boss and then they discuss the implications of their answers and related issues. Participants complete a further questionnaire about their boss, followed by discussion. Participants work in groups devising strategies for accommodating particular shortcomings in the boss/subordinate relationship – then hold another feedback session. There is a concluding round-up session.
Who is it for: This training activity is intended for use by trainers to help participants understand the need to make and communicate clear plans as without planning only reaction is possible.
- Themes:
- Performance management,
- Teamwork,
- communication,
- leadership,
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 6 |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:40:00 |
| No of Pages: | 19 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training activity is intended for use by trainers with participants on leadership workshops, general communication courses and as part of a personal development series.
Download the training activity, Making clear plans and communicating them as featured in the Fenman training manual; Partnerships at Work