The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership

The direction of flows of communication within an organisation

must be downward, upward and sideways.

Decisions on what to communicate should bear in mind the must-

know priorities and distinguish them from the should-know or

could-know lower priorities.The best method for must-know items

is face-to-face backed by the written word.

Two-way communication should be used and encouraged to:

• Communicate plans/changes/progress/prospects


• Give employees the opportunity to change/improve management
  decisions (before they are made)


• Use the experience and ideas of employees to the full


• Understand the other side’s point of view.

Summary and six-month follow-up test

Summary

i) Personal reminders

Effective speaking – six key principles:

1 Be clear

2 Be prepared

3 Be simple

4 Be vivid

5 Be natural

6 Be concise

Practical presentation skills require you to:

• profile the occasion, audience and location


• plan and write the presentation

196 The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership