As a training administrator, the way you communicate has a large impact on the effectiveness of your role. Not only must you communicate effectively with the employees you are training, but you may also occasionally find yourself in the position of needing to communicate with managers above you to defend, or gain support for, your training program. Whatever the situation, it’s always a good time to consider improving your communication skills.
The Basic Types of Communication
There are many ways in which we communicate, but most effective communication falls into one of the following categories:
- Verbal: Communicating via spoken language.
- Nonverbal: Communicating without speaking, generally through body language and facial expressions.
- Written: Communication through written language, via documents, memos, letters, emails, etc.
- Visual: Communication through a visual medium such as photography, art, charts and graphs, drawings, etc.
7 Communication Skills for Training Administrators
A lot of communication skills can be beneficial for training administrators, but here are seven top skills you can work on to improve your communication:
1. Public Speaking: Depending on the nature of your training program, you may be interacting with employees one-on-one, as a group, or not at all if you’re using a learning management system. Regardless of circumstances, it’s good to be comfortable with your public speaking skills so you can speak confidently whether you’re in a training session or reporting on your training program to superiors.
2. Clear & Concise: A lack of clarity in communication is one of the biggest barriers to effective communication. When communicating with your employees, especially regarding training, you want to make sure you’re speaking clearly and using concise language, so you can be certain you’re being understood.
3. Confidence: In order for your employees to have confidence in what you’re teaching them, or your managers to have confidence in your reporting, you have to have confidence in what you’re saying. Confidence is exhibited not only in what you’re saying, but how you’re saying it, so make sure your verbal communication and nonverbal communication match.
4. Active Listening: Stop talking and start listening. Communication skills involve more than just speaking. Active listening means you’re paying close attention to whomever is speaking; your focus is completely on the speaker and you’re avoiding any other distractions.
5. Feedback: Communication is often a two-way street, especially when it comes to feedback. You need to be able to not only provide feedback to your employees, but also accept feedback in return.
6. Praise: Don’t be afraid to praise or celebrate your employees when they’re doing well. Show your appreciation for a job well done, and let your employees know when they are succeeding.
7. Friendliness: It doesn’t take much to communicate friendliness – honesty, kindness, a warm greeting, a smile, all these things go a long way. Communicating in a friendly manner will help put people at ease and allow them to open up when needed. It’s always easier to communicate with someone who appears friendly rather than stand-offish.
Effective Communication and the Culture of Convenience
Leaders who create a culture of convenience are able to improve communication, streamline tasks, and establish processes that improve employee performance and increase everyone’s productivity. Get weekly ideas on how to make your job easier through the Culture of Convenience podcast. Listen now!
