Communicating for Your Career

More Than Words Can Say: Communicating for your Career

Beth Banks Cohn, PhD

November 8, 2013

Objectives

By the end of our time together you will be able to:

Identify the communication culture at Bayer

Appreciate the communications “must do’s” in their organization

Define the communication requirements of their current position…and their next

Recognize potential communication differences between men and women and between generations

©2013 Adra Change Architects. All Rights Reserved.

Do not copy without permission.2

Know Your Company’s Communication Culture*

Implicit vs. Explicit Conflict Resolution

Expressive vs. Instrumental

Formal vs. Informal

*Based on the Cultural Orientations Index from Training Management Corporation

“Must do’s”

Know where your organization sits on the continuum

Recognize that there may be a “meta-culture” and “sub-cultures”

Remain non-judgmental

Continually expand your communication IQ


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Levels of Communication

Recipient

Translator

Synthesizer


True for all levels:

– Be respectful

– Utilize two-way communication

– Be a great listener

– Speak so others can hear you




Recipient: Individual Contributor

– Ask questions to get the information you need

– Communicate just as well with peers as with

those above you

– Speak so others can hear you

– Listen so others will want to talk to you




Translator: Supervisor/Manager

– Listen so your employees will talk

– Take information from above and convey it clearly to those below you

– Use communication to build alliances with others on the management team

– Learn to “hear between the lines”

– Understand the company direction and be able to help your staff understand it




Synthesizer: Director/Vice President

– Listen for clarity from above

– Listen with compassion from below

– Synthesize all the information into a story that helps you move your teams toward their goals

– Use a filter for what you hear

– Communicate so your boss will hear you

– Communicate so your employees want to listen to you

– Communicate to strengthen alliances with your peers



Gender Differences

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Reserved.Do not copy without permission.

Two Strategies Women Use

Strategy 1: Ask Questions– Why? The best way to learn and tap into the

knowledge of others– What men often think: That women don’t know

or are lacking in power– What you can do as women: Balance your

questioning– What you can do as men: Don’t assume a

woman doesn’t know



Strategy 2: Seek Feedback– Why? Best way to learn and continuously

improve– What men often think: you are fishing for a

compliment or are needy– What you can do as women: Learn from whom

you can ask for feedback– What you can do as men: Understand women

are neither, they just want to improve

– Gen Y note: You seek feedback regardless of gender but those older than you may not, so keep that in mind



Two Strategies Men Use

Strategy 1: Negative banter; joking; teasing

– Why? Keeps them towards the top of the hierarchy

– What women often think: A sign of arrogance or hostility

– What you can do as men: Be aware that this makes some people uncomfortable.

– What you can do as women: Don’t play into it, don’t read into it.

13©2013 Adra Change Architects. All Rights

Reserved.Do not copy without permission.

Strategy 2: Downplay their faults or negative impact of their actions– Why? Maintains their persona as being on top

of their game– What women often think: This person is

arrogant or unwilling to fix a problem– What you can do as men: Learn when this is

appropriate and when not.– What you can do as women: Don’t assume

arrogance or unwillingness to change. Have a private conversation and check it out.



Generational Differences

Generational Communication Preferences

Veterans (Born before 1946) Face to Face Phone

Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Face to face Phone Fax E-mail Group/team meetings Cell phones for talking

Generation X (1965-1979) Let “me” choose my

communication E-mail Cell phone Text Instant message

Generation Y (Millennials) 1980-2000) Text Online social networks E-mail (but only for work or

school) Instant message

Adapted from Bea Fields, writespeaksell.com

Conclusion

• Know yourself – your strengths and opportunities

for growth

• Know how communication works in your

corporate culture

• Learn from good and bad examples

• Always strive to improve your skills

• Keep the next level in mind

• Be prepared



Bayer’s Gift to You!

About Adra Change Architects

www.adrachangearchitects.comEmail: [email protected]

Books by Dr. Beth Banks Cohn:– ChangeSmart™: Implementing Change Without

Lowering Your Bottom Line– Taking the Leap: Managing Your Career in

Turbulent Times…and Beyond [with Roz Usheroff]

– Books available on Amazon.com



http://www.adrachangearchitects.com/

Leadership & Management

Communicating for Your Career