Supportive Communication
I have always felt that face to face interaction is a much better form of communication rather than email... I wrote in my discussion post that my current supervisor made a random comment about the fact that I tend to inform our work study student staff of financial aid changes in person rather than sending an email. Her comment seemed negative and she also didn’t really understand why explain policy and procedure changes to them instead of sending an email. She left my office before giving me a chance to respond, but I remember thinking back on the conversation and really examining why I speak to them in person. I believe that by explaining and communicating face to face, you have the opportunity to build relationships, but also have the opportunity to judge if the person is comprehending and understanding what you are telling them. It is absolutely impossible to tell if a person really gets a concept if you send them an email, unless you quiz them later.. This has happened in our office and let me say.. It did not go over well!!! Full time staff was sent a quiz on random policy emails that had been sent in the past month. The staff was extremely upset and a few members felt like they were being treated like children. This is anything but supportive communication.
Face to face communication takes effort, it is more work than sending an email, but I feel that each individual deserves that effort of a face to face conversation. If it is an issue with accountability, a follow up email containing the information could be sent. Additionally, when having face to face conversations with an individual or a group of individuals it provides the opportunity for staff to feel included and valued as part of the team. Emails can be very impersonal and often if there is emotion in the email it can be misinterpreted by the reader.
Supportive communication is bigger than just face to face conversations, but it is a big part of it for myself. I will soon be moving into a leadership position in a different company (putting in my resignation this week). I have thought a lot about how I will want to initially communicate with my team to make them feel included and part of my team. To get to know everyone and address their feelings, goals etc. I would like meet with everyone individually. I want to know their expectations of me and I want to communicate my expectations of them. This conversation must be face to face!! I want to be able to make eye contact, address their concerns with my own words and not the company line.... I want this time to be a chance for them to get know me and I them, but also to let them know my door is always open to them for any needs, concerns, frustrations, job challenges, etc... Additionally, I want them to know that I would never ask them to do anything I’m not willing to do myself. I want my team to know we are truly a team! Even though we all have different responsibilities we ultimately will work together to accomplish our goal and I will be there to support, listen, guide and help them in anyway they need. I will set up expectations and review process, but I feel this should not be address in our initial meeting.
I must admit my mind is still reeling from this past week. A new job and a move across the country.. I look forward to your feedback and advice on my ideas for incorporating supportive communication with my team.
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