1. Train Managers to Communicate Effectively across Channels, Cultures, Continents, and Generations
A changing workplace means communication context is more complex than ever.
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2. Table of contents
1. Train Managers to Communicate Effectively across Channels, Cultures, Continents, and Generations
2. Introduction
3. Project Rationale
4. Execute the Project/DIY Guide
4.1. Perform an assessment of current communication effectiveness
4.2. Customize the manager training deck
4.3. Deliver manager training
5. Summary/Conclusion
6. Next Steps
7. Appendices

3. Our understanding of the problem
Head of HR
Head of Learning & Development
Understand the changes that are placing increased demands on effective manager communication with direct reports.
Assess manager communication effectiveness.
Identify pros/cons and appropriate use of verbal and written communication channels.
Build manager communication effectiveness through manager training.
Other Human Resources staff
Plan to implement manager communications training and prepare all the required materials for training.
Measure training effectiveness.

4. Executive Summary – Effective Manager Communication
A one-size-fits-all communication strategy is no longer sufficient for the demands of today’s complex communications environment.
Employees of managers who communicate effectively are up to 4x more likely to be engaged than employees of those who don't. This can also improve organizational reputation and ROI.
Communication context considerations are more complex in the workplaces of today, challenging managers to “think before they speak” like never before.
Context frames the purpose of communication. It is intent, word choice, speed of speech, body language, and intonation. Context is always present but often overlooked. Effective communication takes context into account.
The rapid rate of communication and the increase in verbal and written channels puts increased pressures on managers to consider the communication process.
Direct reports are dispersed across domestic and international sites, representing multiple cultures and generations. This adds to the strain on communications.
Identify where these complexities exist in your organization.
Establish clear guidelines on effective and appropriate use of communication channels.
Increase awareness and train managers to successfully navigate these increased complexities. Training components include:
Effective communication and why it matters.
Changing workplace and impact on communication.
Model communication culture and values.

5. McLean & Company offers various levels of support to best suit your needs
Consulting
Onsite Workshop
Guided Implementation
“Our team does not have the time or the knowledge to take this project on. We need assistance through the entirety of this project.”
DIY Toolkit
McLean & Company Involvement
“We need to hit the ground running and get this project kicked off immediately. Our team has the ability to take this over once we get a framework and strategy in place.”
“Our team knows that we need to fix a process, but we need assistance to determine where to focus. Some check-ins along the way would help keep us on track.”
“Our team has already made this critical project a priority, and we have the time and capability, but some guidance along the way would be helpful.”
Degree of Customization
Diagnostics and consistent methodologies throughout all four options

6. Guided Implementations
Blueprint title – Project overview
Step 1: Assess current communication effectiveness
Step 2: Customize the manager training deck
Step 3: Deliver manager training
Activities
1.1: Assess organizational communication techniques
1.2: Hold focus groups on manager communication
1.3: Review data and identify areas of improvement
2.1: Customize to align with communication culture
2.2: Customize to reflect communication channels
2.3: Modify to reflect virtual communication challenges
2.4: Define and record your global mindset
2.5: Identify generational profile
2.6: Finalize the customization of the manager training deck
3.1: Plan training logistics
3.2: Develop a communication plan
3.3: Create a post-training action plan
Tools and Templates
Step 1 Tools and Templates:
Step 2 Tools and Templates:
Step 3 Tools and Templates:
Guided Implementations
Call 1: Discuss assessment questionnaire results and prepare for focus groups.
Call 2: Review data to prioritize strengths and opportunity areas in manager communications.
Call 1: Clarify the elements of effective communication and considerations for your organization.
Call 2: Walk through the training deck customization requirements.
Call 1: Discuss training options to determine most appropriate approach.
Call 2: Review measurements of training success and follow-up action planning considerations.
Step 1 Outcome:
Identified strengths and opportunities in manager communications with direct reports.
Step 2 Outcome:
Training deck and participant handbook customized to reflect your organization.
Step 3 Outcome:
Evaluated training success.
Communications competency framework.
Communication Effectiveness Analysis Tool
Manager Training Deck
Participant Handbook
Effective Manager Communication Quiz
Training Session Feedback

7. Effective manager communication has a distinct, direct impact on employee engagement
The impact of manager communication on employee engagement
My manager provides me with high quality feedback.
I clearly understand what is expected of me on the job.
My manager keeps me well informed about decisions that affect me.
McLean & Company, 2015
N=17,921
A clear relationship exists between how effective a manager’s communication is perceived to be and an employee’s level of engagement.

8. Accord to the 2015 HR Trends & Priority Survey leadership and management development are the top two priority areas
Effective communication skills is a core element of both leadership and management development. To address these top priorities for the upcoming year, organizations must focus on improving the communication skills of their managers and leaders.
McLean & Company HR Trends and Priorities Survey 2015
Priority Score
Priority ranking out of 31 HR areas
1st
2nd
McLean & Company, 2015 N=352
Note: Results are shown as the percentage of respondents who selected 5 or 6 on a 6-point scale.

9. Effective communication ensures successful business execution
Case Study
Source: Anonymous, Internal Communications Specialist
Industry: Software development
Strategy
Situation: A team was working on the development of a new piece of software.
Action: A member of the team identified an issue and raised it during a team meeting. The manager was dismissive of the concern and made the individual feel incompetent.
Results: At a later date another team member identified a similar issue with the software. He was afraid to bring the issue up with the manager because of how it had previously been handled. As a result the issue was never addressed and the project was delayed six months.
Communication
Communication is the chain linking strategy to execution. It is key to successful business outcomes.
Execution
Communication is the lifeblood of what a manager and employee does everyday.
- Vivian Herrera, HR Manager, Brinks

10. Effective manager communication is tied to organizational success
Operations
Human Resources
Finance
Marketing
Increase efficiency as managers clearly communicate instructions. The PMI found that organizations with effective communications complete an average of 80% of projects on-time and within budget.
Source: PMI, 2013
Reduce mistakes by clearly sharing expectations.
Improve communication as information is shared quickly with a greater number of recipients.
Avoid potential litigation resulting from unclear or inappropriate communication.
Increase engagement through an improved employee/ manager relationship: 77% of engaged employees feel that they can speak openly, while only 22% of disengaged employees feel the same way.
Source: Aon Hewitt, 2015
Improve attraction and retention of key players.
Source: SHRM Workplace Forecast, 2013
Ensure that managers clearly communicate financial regulations.
Align employer and organizational brand.
Improve the perception of the organizational reputation among employees. Manager communication is key, yet only 33% of managers believe they are the primary communicator and less than 50% feel prepared.
Source: The Harris Poll, 2014
Increases production-boosting revenues.
Reduce the cost of litigation and increase revenue through productivity increases.
Reduce cost of failing to comply with regulations.
Increased attraction and retention of key talent.
Effective communication practices are a critical component in the quest to become more agile. It results in less need for the extensive network of processes and procedures that are required when it is lacking. Effective communication starts with people managers as employees interface with them daily.

11. McLean & Company Helps HR Professionals To:
Empower management to apply HR best practices
Develop effective talent acquisition & retention strategies
Build a high performance culture
Maintain a progressive set of HR policies & procedures
Demonstrate the business impact of HR
Stay abreast of HR trends & technologies
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