communication responsibilities and assignments

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1.4 Your Responsibilities as a Communicator

Learning objective.

• Discuss and provide several examples of each of the two main responsibilities of a business communicator.

Whenever you speak or write in a business environment, you have certain responsibilities to your audience, your employer, and your profession. Your audience comes to you with an inherent set of expectations that you will fulfill these responsibilities. The specific expectations may change given the context or environment, but two central ideas will remain: be prepared, and be ethical.

Communicator Is Prepared

As the business communicator’s first responsibility, preparation includes several facets which we will examine: organization, clarity, and being concise and punctual.

Being prepared means that you have selected a topic appropriate to your audience, gathered enough information to cover the topic well, put your information into a logical sequence, and considered how best to present it. If your communication is a written one, you have written an outline and at least one rough draft, read it over to improve your writing and correct errors, and sought feedback where appropriate. If your communication is oral, you have practiced several times before your actual performance.

The Prepared Communicator Is Organized

Part of being prepared is being organized. Aristotle called this logos , or logic, and it involves the steps or points that lead your communication to a conclusion. Once you’ve invested time in researching your topic, you will want to narrow your focus to a few key points and consider how you’ll present them. On any given topic there is a wealth of information; your job is to narrow that content down to a manageable level, serving the role of gatekeeper by selecting some information and “de-selecting,” or choosing to not include other points or ideas.

You also need to consider how to link your main points together for your audience. Use transitions to provide signposts or cues for your audience to follow along. “Now that we’ve examined X, let’s consider Y” is a transitional statement that provides a cue that you are moving from topic to topic. Your listeners or readers will appreciate your being well organized so that they can follow your message from point to point.

The Prepared Communicator Is Clear

You have probably had the unhappy experience of reading or listening to a communication that was vague and wandering. Part of being prepared is being clear. If your message is unclear, the audience will lose interest and tune you out, bringing an end to effective communication.

Interestingly, clarity begins with intrapersonal communication: you need to have a clear idea in your mind of what you want to say before you can say it clearly to someone else. At the interpersonal level, clarity involves considering your audience, as you will want to choose words and phrases they understand and avoid jargon or slang that may be unfamiliar to them.

Clarity also involves presentation. A brilliant message scrawled in illegible handwriting, or in pale gray type on gray paper, will not be clear. When it comes to oral communication, if you mumble your words, speak too quickly or use a monotonous tone of voice, or stumble over certain words or phrases, the clarity of your presentation will suffer.

Technology also plays a part; if you are using a microphone or conducting a teleconference, clarity will depend on this equipment functioning properly—which brings us back to the importance of preparation. In this case, in addition to preparing your speech, you need to prepare by testing the equipment ahead of time.

The Prepared Communicator Is Concise and Punctual

Concise means brief and to the point. In most business communications you are expected to “get down to business” right away. Being prepared includes being able to state your points clearly and support them with clear evidence in a relatively straightforward, linear way.

It may be tempting to show how much you know by incorporating additional information into your document or speech, but in so doing you run the risk of boring, confusing, or overloading your audience. Talking in circles or indulging in tangents, where you get off topic or go too deep, can hinder an audience’s ability to grasp your message. Be to the point and concise in your choice of words, organization, and even visual aids.

Being concise also involves being sensitive to time constraints. How many times have you listened to a speaker say “in conclusion” only to continue speaking for what seems like forever? How many meetings and conference calls have you attended that got started late or ran beyond the planned ending time? The solution, of course, is to be prepared to be punctual. If you are asked to give a five-minute presentation at a meeting, your coworkers will not appreciate your taking fifteen minutes, any more than your supervisor would appreciate your submitting a fifteen-page report when you were asked to write five pages. For oral presentations, time yourself when you rehearse and make sure you can deliver your message within the allotted number of minutes.

Good business communication does not waste words or time.

Angelina Earley – Times! Of! The World! – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

There is one possible exception to this principle. Many non-Western cultures prefer a less direct approach, where business communication often begins with social or general comments that a U.S. audience might consider unnecessary. Some cultures also have a less strict interpretation of time schedules and punctuality. While it is important to recognize that different cultures have different expectations, the general rule holds true that good business communication does not waste words or time.

Communicator Is Ethical

The business communicator’s second fundamental responsibility is to be ethical. Ethics refers to a set of principles or rules for correct conduct. It echoes what Aristotle called ethos , the communicator’s good character and reputation for doing what is right. Communicating ethically involves being egalitarian, respectful, and trustworthy—overall, practicing the “golden rule” of treating your audience the way you would want to be treated.

Communication can move communities, influence cultures, and change history. It can motivate people to take stand, consider an argument, or purchase a product. The degree to which you consider both the common good and fundamental principles you hold to be true when crafting your message directly relates to how your message will affect others.

The Ethical Communicator Is Egalitarian

The word “egalitarian” comes from the root “equal.” To be egalitarian is to believe in basic equality: that all people should share equally in the benefits and burdens of a society. It means that everyone is entitled to the same respect, expectations, access to information, and rewards of participation in a group.

To communicate in an egalitarian manner, speak and write in a way that is comprehensible and relevant to all your listeners or readers, not just those who are “like you” in terms of age, gender, race or ethnicity, or other characteristics.

In business, you will often communicate to people with certain professional qualifications. For example, you may draft a memo addressed to all the nurses in a certain hospital, or give a speech to all the adjusters in a certain branch of an insurance company. Being egalitarian does not mean you have to avoid professional terminology that is understood by nurses or insurance adjusters. But it does mean that your hospital letter should be worded for all the hospital’s nurses—not just female nurses, not just nurses working directly with patients, not just nurses under age fifty-five. An egalitarian communicator seeks to unify the audience by using ideas and language that are appropriate for all the message’s readers or listeners.

The Ethical Communicator Is Respectful

People are influenced by emotions as well as logic. Aristotle named pathos , or passion, enthusiasm and energy, as the third of his three important parts of communicating after logos and ethos .

Most of us have probably seen an audience manipulated by a “cult of personality,” believing whatever the speaker said simply because of how dramatically he or she delivered a speech; by being manipulative, the speaker fails to respect the audience. We may have also seen people hurt by sarcasm, insults, and other disrespectful forms of communication.

This does not mean that passion and enthusiasm are out of place in business communication. Indeed, they are very important. You can hardly expect your audience to care about your message if you don’t show that you care about it yourself. If your topic is worth writing or speaking about, make an effort to show your audience why it is worthwhile by speaking enthusiastically or using a dynamic writing style. Doing so, in fact, shows respect for their time and their intelligence.

However, the ethical communicator will be passionate and enthusiastic without being disrespectful. Losing one’s temper and being abusive are generally regarded as showing a lack of professionalism (and could even involve legal consequences for you or your employer). When you disagree strongly with a coworker, feel deeply annoyed with a difficult customer, or find serious fault with a competitor’s product, it is important to express such sentiments respectfully. For example, instead of telling a customer, “I’ve had it with your complaints!” a respectful business communicator might say, “I’m having trouble seeing how I can fix this situation. Would you explain to me what you want to see happen?”

The Ethical Communicator Is Trustworthy

Trust is a key component in communication, and this is especially true in business. As a consumer, would you choose to buy merchandise from a company you did not trust? If you were an employer, would you hire someone you did not trust?

Your goal as a communicator is to build a healthy relationship with your audience, and to do that you must show them why they can trust you and why the information you are about to give them is believable. One way to do this is to begin your message by providing some information about your qualifications and background, your interest in the topic, or your reasons for communicating at this particular time.

Your audience will expect that what you say is the truth as you understand it. This means that you have not intentionally omitted, deleted, or taken information out of context simply to prove your points. They will listen to what you say and how you say it, but also to what you don’t say or do. You may consider more than one perspective on your topic, and then select the perspective you perceive to be correct, giving concrete reasons why you came to this conclusion. People in the audience may have considered or believe in some of the perspectives you consider, and your attention to them will indicate you have done your homework.

Being worthy of trust is something you earn with an audience. Many wise people have observed that trust is hard to build but easy to lose. A communicator may not know something and still be trustworthy, but it’s a violation of trust to pretend you know something when you don’t. Communicate what you know, and if you don’t know something, research it before you speak or write. If you are asked a question to which you don’t know the answer, say “I don’t know the answer but I will research it and get back to you” (and then make sure you follow through later). This will go over much better with the audience than trying to cover by stumbling through an answer or portraying yourself as knowledgeable on an issue that you are not.

The “Golden Rule”

When in doubt, remember the “golden rule,” which says to treat others the way you would like to be treated. In all its many forms, the golden rule incorporates human kindness, cooperation, and reciprocity across cultures, languages, backgrounds and interests. Regardless of where you travel, who you communicate with, or what your audience is like, remember how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of your communication, and act accordingly.

Key Takeaway

As a communicator, you are responsible for being prepared and being ethical. Being prepared includes being organized, clear, concise, and punctual. Being ethical includes being egalitarian, respectful, and trustworthy and overall, practicing the “golden rule.”

• Recall one time you felt offended or insulted in a conversation. What contributed to your perception? Please share your comments with classmates.
• When someone lost your trust, were they able earn it back? Please share your comments with classmates?
• Does the communicator have a responsibility to the audience? Does the audience have a responsibility to the speaker? Why or why not? Please share your comments with classmates.

Business Communication for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

• South Africa

Communications Officer Job Description

Who is a communications officer.

As a Communications Officer, you will play a key role in crafting and disseminating messages to internal and external stakeholders, including employees, media, partners, and the public. Your role involves managing communication channels, producing content, and building relationships to support organizational objectives and initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute communication strategies, plans, and campaigns to effectively convey the organization's messages, values, and priorities to internal and external audiences.
• Write, edit, and produce a variety of communication materials, including press releases, articles, newsletters, reports, speeches, presentations, and website content, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency in messaging.
• Manage communication channels and platforms, including websites, social media, email newsletters, intranet portals, and multimedia channels, to engage stakeholders and amplify key messages.
• Monitor media coverage and public perception of the organization, tracking mentions, trends, and sentiment, and providing regular reports and analysis to inform communication efforts.
• Cultivate relationships with media outlets, journalists, bloggers, and influencers, pitching stories, arranging interviews, and coordinating media coverage to increase visibility and positive publicity.
• Coordinate internal communication initiatives, including employee newsletters, town hall meetings, and staff briefings, to inform, engage, and motivate employees and foster a culture of transparency and engagement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, public relations, human resources, and executive leadership, to align communication efforts with organizational goals and priorities.
• Respond to inquiries, requests, and feedback from stakeholders, including employees, customers, partners, and the public, providing timely and accurate information and managing issues or crises as needed.
• Develop and maintain communication materials and resources, such as branding guidelines, messaging frameworks, and communication templates, to ensure consistency and alignment across all communication channels.
• Plan and execute events, conferences, and public relations activities to showcase the organization's achievements, initiatives, and thought leadership in relevant industry sectors or communities.
• Conduct research and analysis to identify communication trends, audience preferences, and best practices, incorporating insights and feedback into communication strategies and tactics.
• Coordinate with external agencies, consultants, and vendors, such as graphic designers, photographers, and printers, to support communication projects and initiatives.
• Train and support staff, volunteers, or spokespeople in effective communication techniques, media relations, and crisis communication protocols, ensuring readiness and confidence in representing the organization.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of communication initiatives and campaigns, using metrics and analytics to measure reach, engagement, and impact, and making data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and communication tools and platforms, continuously learning and adapting strategies to optimize communication effectiveness and efficiency.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field; master's degree or professional certification is a plus.
• Proven experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or related roles, with a track record of success in developing and implementing communication strategies and campaigns.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages tailored to different audiences and communication channels.
• Strong storytelling ability, with the creativity and imagination to translate complex concepts and information into engaging narratives and content.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms, including social media, content management systems, email marketing software, and analytics tools.
• Knowledge of media relations practices, including pitching, press release writing, and media monitoring, with a network of media contacts and relationships.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze situations, anticipate challenges, and develop effective communication strategies and solutions.
• Collaboration and teamwork abilities, with experience working cross-functionally and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Adaptability and flexibility in responding to changing priorities, crises, and opportunities, with a calm and professional demeanor under pressure.

Required Skills:

• Strategic communication
• Writing and editing
• Media relations
• Digital communication
• Storytelling
• Collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Analytical skills
• Adaptability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a communication officer?

The role of a communication officer involves developing and implementing communication strategies to effectively convey an organization's messages to its target audience. Communication officers may work in various sectors, including corporate, nonprofit, government, or healthcare, and their responsibilities typically include writing and editing content for internal and external communication channels, such as websites, press releases, social media, newsletters, and marketing materials. 

What skills do you need to be a communications officer?

To excel as a communications officer, individuals should possess a combination of strong writing and verbal communication skills, creativity, and strategic thinking. Other essential skills include proficiency in digital communication tools and social media platforms, media relations, content creation, editing, and proofreading. Additionally, communications officers should have the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, adapt to changing priorities, and effectively manage projects and deadlines.

What does a communications role do?

A communications role involves crafting and disseminating messages to various audiences through multiple communication channels to achieve organizational objectives. Communication professionals may be responsible for creating content, managing social media accounts, drafting press releases, coordinating events, handling media inquiries, and engaging with stakeholders to build and maintain positive relationships. They play a critical role in shaping public perception, enhancing brand reputation, and fostering internal and external communication within organizations.

Is a communications officer a good job?

A communications officer can be a rewarding and fulfilling career for individuals who enjoy writing, storytelling, and engaging with diverse audiences. It offers opportunities for creativity, professional growth, and making a meaningful impact by effectively communicating key messages and advancing organizational goals.

Want to hire for this role?

Looking for communications officer job?

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Communications Specialist job description

A Communications Specialist is a professional who makes sure that people within an organization’s network have access to their message. They create engaging content for various platforms, like TV shows or YouTube videos, with catchy titles to assist in growing an audience.

Nikoletta holds an MSc in HR management and has written extensively about all things HR and recruiting.

Refreshed on

April 26, 2022

Reviewed by

Eftychia Karavelaki

Senior Recruitment Manager

Communications Specialist responsibilities include:

• Developing effective corporate communication strategies
• Managing internal communications (memos, newsletters etc.)
• Drafting content (e.g. press releases) for mass media or company website

Want to generate a unique job description?

Looking for a job.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Communications Specialist to manage our external and internal communications. You will promote a positive public image and control the dissemination of information on our company’s behalf.

Phenomenal communication and copywriting skills make a strong communications specialist. Experience in corporate communications and project management are important qualities too. Your enthusiasm and positive attitude will help you gain the trust of colleagues and external parties alike.

Responsibilities

• Develop effective corporate communication strategies
• Manage internal communications (memos, newsletters etc.)
• Draft content (e.g. press releases) for mass media or company website
• Organize initiatives and plan events or press conferences
• Liaise with media and handle requests for interviews, statements etc.
• Foster relationships with advocates and key persons
• Collaborate with marketing professionals to produce copy for advertisements or articles
• Perform “damage control” in cases of bad publicity
• Facilitate the resolution of disputes with the public or external vendors
• Assist in communication of strategies or messages from senior leadership

Requirements and skills

• Proven experience as communications specialist
• Experience in web design and content production is a plus
• Experience in copywriting and editing
• Solid understanding of project management principles
• Working knowledge of MS Office; photo and video-editing software is an asset
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
• Outstanding organizational and planning abilities
• Proficient command of English
• BSc/BA in public relations, communications or relevant field

Post this Communications Specialist job to over 200 job boards at once.

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8 Essential Leadership Communication Skills

• 14 Nov 2019

If you want to be an effective leader , you need to excel in communication. In fact, the success of your business relies on it.

According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (pdf) , poor communication can lead to low morale, missed performance goals, and even lost sales. A separate study found that inadequate communication can cost large companies an average of $64.2 million per year, while smaller organizations are at risk of losing $420,000 annually.

But effective communication impacts more than just the bottom line. For leaders, it’s what enables them to rally their team around a shared vision, empower employees , build trust, and successfully navigate organizational change .

Why Is Communication Important in Leadership?

A leader is someone who inspires positive, incremental change by empowering those around them to work toward common objectives. A leader’s most powerful tool for doing so is communication.

Effective communication is vital to gain trust, align efforts in the pursuit of goals, and inspire positive change. When communication is lacking, important information can be misinterpreted, causing relationships to suffer and, ultimately, creating barriers that hinder progress.

If you’re interested in enhancing your leadership capabilities, here are eight communication skills you need to be more effective in your role.

Essential Communication Skills for Leaders

1. ability to adapt your communication style.

Different communication styles are the most frequently cited cause of poor communication, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (pdf) , and can lead to more significant issues, such as unclear priorities and increased stress.

It’s essential to identify your leadership style , so that you can better understand how you’re interacting with, and perceived by, employees across the organization. For example, if you’re an authoritative leader , you likely have a clear vision for achieving success and align your team accordingly. While an effective approach for some, it might fall flat for others who seek more autonomy in their role.

Every employee’s motivations are different, so knowing how to tailor your communication is essential to influencing others and reaching organizational goals.

Related: 4 Tips for Developing Your Personal Leadership Style

2. Active Listening

Effective leaders know when they need to talk and, more importantly, when they need to listen. Show that you care by asking for employees’ opinions, ideas, and feedback. And when they do share, actively engage in the conversation—pose questions, invite them to elaborate, and take notes.

It’s important to stay in the moment and avoid interrupting. Keep your focus on the employee and what it is they’re saying. To achieve that, you also need to eliminate any distractions, including constant pings on your cell phone or checking incoming emails.

3. Transparency

In a survey by the American Management Association , more than a third of senior managers, executives, and employees said they “hardly ever” know what’s going on in their organizations. Transparency can go a long way in breaking down that communication barrier.

By speaking openly about the company’s goals, opportunities, and challenges, leaders can build trust amongst their team and foster an environment where employees feel empowered to share their ideas and collaborate. Just acknowledging mistakes can encourage experimentation and create a safe space for active problem-solving.

Every individual should understand the role they play in the company’s success. The more transparent leaders are, the easier it is for employees to make that connection.

When communicating with employees, speak in specifics. Define the desired result of a project or strategic initiative and be clear about what you want to see achieved by the end of each milestone. If goals aren’t being met, try simplifying your message further or ask how you can provide additional clarity or help.

The more clear you are, the less confusion there will be around priorities. Employees will know what they’re working toward and feel more engaged in the process.

5. Ability to Ask Open-Ended Questions

If you want to understand employees’ motivations, thoughts, and goals better, practice asking open-ended questions. Jennifer Currence, president of consulting firm The Currence Group, said to the Society of Human Resource Management to use the acronym TED, which stands for:

• “ T ell me more.”
• “ E xplain what you mean.”
• “ D efine that term or concept for me.”

By leveraging those phrases when speaking with your team, you can elicit more thoughtful, thorough responses and ensure you also have clarity around what they need from you to succeed.

There’s a reason empathy has been ranked the top leadership skill needed for success . The better you get at acknowledging and understanding employees’ feelings and experiences, the more heard and valued they’ll feel.

In a recent survey (pdf) , 96 percent of respondents said it was important for their employers to demonstrate empathy, yet 92 percent claimed it remains undervalued. If you want to improve your communication and build a stronger, more productive culture, practice responding with empathy.

Related: Emotional Intelligence Skills: What They Are & How to Develop Them

7. Open Body Language

Communication isn’t just what you say; it’s how you carry yourself. Ninety-three percent of communication’s impact comes from nonverbal cues, according to executive coach Darlene Price .

To ensure you’re conveying the right message, focus on your body language. If you’re trying to inspire someone, talking with clenched fists and a furrowed brow isn’t going to send the right message. Instead, make eye contact to establish interest and rapport and flash a genuine smile to convey warmth and trust.

8. Receiving and Implementing Feedback

Asking for feedback from your team can not only help you grow as a leader, but build trust among your colleagues. It’s critical, though, that you don’t just listen to the feedback. You also need to act on it.

If you continue to receive feedback from your team, but don’t implement any changes, they’re going to lose faith in your ability to follow through. It’s likely there will be comments you can’t immediately act on—be transparent about that. By letting your employees know they were heard and then apprising them of any progress you can, or do, make, they’ll feel as though you value their perspective and are serious about improving.

Related: How to Give Feedback Effectively

Improving Your Leadership Communication

Communication is at the core of effective leadership. If you want to influence and inspire your team, you need to practice empathy and transparency, and understand how others perceive you, through your verbal and non-verbal cues.

To improve your communication skills and become a better leader, begin by assessing your effectiveness so you can identify areas for improvement. Then, set goals and hold yourself accountable by creating a leadership development plan to guide and track your progress.

Do you want to enhance your leadership skills? Download our free leadership e-book and explore our online course Leadership Principles to discover how you can become a more effective leader and unleash the potential in yourself and others.

(This post was updated on June 16, 2020. It was originally published on November 14, 2019.)

About the Author

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Chapter 1: Professional Business Communication

7 Your Responsibilities as a Communicator

Four tips for communication.

Whenever you speak or write in a business environment, you have certain responsibilities to your audience, your employer, and your profession. Your audience comes to you with an inherent set of expectations that is your responsibility to fulfill. The specific expectations may change given the context or environment, but two central ideas will remain: be prepared, and be ethical.

Preparation

Being prepared means that you have selected a topic appropriate to your audience, gathered enough information to cover the topic well, put your information into a logical sequence, and considered how best to present it.

Organization

Being organized involves the steps or points that lead your communication to a conclusion. Once you’ve invested time in researching your topic, you will want to narrow your focus to a few key points and consider how you’ll present them. You also need to consider how to link your main points together for your audience so they can follow your message from point to point.

You need to have a clear idea in your mind of what you want to say before you can say it clearly to someone else. It involves considering your audience, as you will want to choose words and phrases they understand and avoid jargon or slang that may be unfamiliar to them. Clarity also involves presentation and appropriate use of technology.

Punctuality

Concise means to be brief and to the point. In most business communications you are expected to ‘get down to business’ right away. Being prepared includes being able to state your points clearly and support them with trustworthy evidence in a relatively straightforward, linear way.

Be concise in your choice of words, organization, and even visual aids. Being concise also involves being sensitive to time constraints. Be prepared to be punctual and adhere to deadlines or time limits.

Some cultures also have a less strict interpretation of time schedules and punctuality. While it is important to recognize that different cultures have different expectations, the general rule holds true that good business communication does not waste words or time.

Ethics in Communication

Communicating ethically involves being egalitarian, respectful, and trustworthy—overall, practising the “golden rule” of treating your audience the way you would want to be treated.

Communication can move communities, influence cultures, and change history. It can motivate people to take stand, consider an argument, or purchase a product. The degree to which you consider both the common good and fundamental principles you hold to be true when crafting your message directly relates to how your message will affect others.

The Ethical Communicator Is Egalitarian

The word “egalitarian” comes from the root “equal.” To be egalitarian is to believe in basic equality: that all people should share equally in the benefits and burdens of a society. It means that everyone is entitled to the same respect, expectations, access to information, and rewards of participation in a group.

To communicate in an egalitarian manner, speak and write in a way that is comprehensible and relevant to all your listeners or readers, not just those who are ‘like you’ in terms of age, gender, race or ethnicity, or other characteristics. In business, an effective communicator seeks to unify the audience by using ideas and language that are appropriate for all the message’s readers or listeners.

The Ethical Communicator Is Respectful

People are influenced by emotions as well as logic. The ethical communicator will be passionate and enthusiastic without being disrespectful. Losing one’s temper and being abusive are generally regarded as showing a lack of professionalism (and could even involve legal consequences for you or your employer). When you disagree strongly with a coworker, feel deeply annoyed with a difficult customer, or find serious fault with a competitor’s product, it is important to express such sentiments respectfully.

The Ethical Communicator Is Trustworthy

Trust is a key component in communication, and this is especially true in business. Your goal as a communicator is to build a healthy relationship with your audience, and to do that you must show them how they can trust you and why the information you are about to share with them is believable.

Your audience will expect that what you say is the truth as you understand it. This means that you have not intentionally omitted, deleted, or taken information out of context simply to prove your points. They will listen to what you say and how you say it, but also to what you don’t say or do. Being worthy of trust is something you earn with an audience. Many wise people have observed that trust is hard to build but easy to lose.

The “Golden Rule”

When in doubt, remember the “golden rule,” which is to treat others the way you would like to be treated. In all its many forms, the golden rule incorporates human kindness, cooperation, and reciprocity across cultures, languages, backgrounds, and interests. Regardless of where you travel, with whom you communicate or what your audience is like, remember how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of your communication and act accordingly.

Communication for Business Professionals Copyright © 2018 by eCampusOntario is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to pick the most effective communication channels at work

Learn which delivery methods are best for constructive communication in the workplace

Author: Minda Honey February 14th, 2019 Illustration by Ray Domzalski

What do comedy and effective communication in the workplace have in common? It’s all in the delivery— ba-duh-bum .

But with more ways than ever to get your messages to the masses—or the individual—figuring out which communication channels will work best can feel overwhelming. Is it ever OK to text your manager ? Should you email or direct message your coworker a quick question? And does anyone talk on the phone anymore?

Select the best communication channels at work in 3 steps

How you deliver your message to its intended audience is essential to effective communication in the workplace . Fortunately, after you figure out what you need to say in your message, there are steps you can take to help you decide how to send your message in the most productive way.

Step 1: Identify what kind of message you’re sending

Start by asking yourself a series of questions about the information you need to convey so you can zero in on the appropriate communication channels to use.

• Is your message formal or informal?
• Does this information need to be referenceable?
• Is this information urgent or time sensitive?
• Are you relaying confidential or sensitive information?
• Is this information general or specific?
• Are you communicating with an individual or a group?
• Is the individual a peer, a higher-up, or someone you lead?
• Do you need to deliver a message to your team or the whole company?
• Is this one-way or two-way communication (i.e., does it require a response)?

Step 2: Consider your company’s culture around communication

The Slack Future of Work Study  highlights that trust, tools, and teamwork are essential for employee engagement and productivity. Also, the study found that 80% of workers want to know more about how decisions are made in their organization.

So if your team is all about face-to-face communication at work, upholding that belief might mean delivering bad news in person instead of sending out an impersonal email. And if your company prides itself on work/life balance, an after-midnight direct message probably isn’t the best move.

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Step 3: Pick a delivery method based on your audience

Your organization likely has several communication channels for you to choose from. Here are the most common ones:

• One-on-ones
• Team meetings
• Companywide meetings

In-person communication at work allows you to convey the broadest range of emotions, forces the conversation to occur in real time, and generally allows for information to flow both ways.

Many offices use weekly meetings to get everyone on the same page at the start of the week. Annual companywide meetings set the tone for the year. And retreats can be a helpful time to connect with your team in a different setting. These in-person engagements can be both formal and informal depending on the objective.

One-on-one in-person meetings are better for delivering sensitive information such as compensation packages or constructive criticism about job performance. However, they can also be used for a less formal purpose such as getting to know a new employee better or seeking out an executive for mentorship.

Voice and video

• Direct phone call
• Conference call
• Pre-recorded video

We can’t always be in person with the people we need to connect with. When that happens, we often rely on voice and video calls to get our message across. Voice and video calls are also easier to record for when the information being shared will need to be referenced later.

For one-on-one calls or calls with smaller groups, it’s easy for employees and workers to ask their questions and provide feedback in the moment. The more people you have on a call or who are tuning into a live video stream, the more challenging it is to foster engagement for two-way communication at work. If no engagement is required at all, a pre-recorded video can be emailed out.

• Direct emails
• Mass emails
• Text messages
• Instant messaging

Written communication dominates the workplace. It’s fast and easy, can be formal or informal, and doubles as documentation. Dashing off a question by email or sending out an email blast for important information everyone needs to know might be the norm at your company.

Texting might be controversial at some businesses, while others have fully embraced it. In general, texting is best used to connect quickly with someone and tends to be more informal. A client might text a contractor to see whether they’re available to hop on a call in an hour versus taking the risk of the email languishing in their inbox.

And then there are instant messaging platforms. This delivery method allows you to get your question answered fast and in real time and saves you from having to walk over to a colleague’s desk. It also frees your email inbox from the clutter of single word and single sentence emails.

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Corporate Communications Specialist Job Description

Corporate communications specialist duties & responsibilities.

To write an effective corporate communications specialist job description, begin by listing detailed duties, responsibilities and expectations. We have included corporate communications specialist job description templates that you can modify and use.

Sample responsibilities for this position include:

Corporate Communications Specialist Qualifications

Qualifications for a job description may include education, certification, and experience.

Licensing or Certifications for Corporate Communications Specialist

List any licenses or certifications required by the position: CPM, II, III, DAWIA

Education for Corporate Communications Specialist

Typically a job would require a certain level of education.

Employers hiring for the corporate communications specialist job most commonly would prefer for their future employee to have a relevant degree such as Bachelor's and University Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, Business, Communication, Education, Corporate Communications, Advertising

Skills for Corporate Communications Specialist

Desired skills for corporate communications specialist include:

Desired experience for corporate communications specialist includes:

Corporate Communications Specialist Examples

• Microsoft Word (.docx) .DOCX
• PDF Document (.pdf) .PDF
• Image File (.png) .PNG
• Coordinate the function’s budget, quarterly submissions, calendar, activity tracker, and related activities
• Coordinate and manage execution of internal communications, such as town halls, crisis training, global business updates, email distribution lists, and Associate announcements
• Manage assigned projects, which include planning, prioritizing, and informing appropriate stakeholders across functions
• Write, edit, post, and manage Symbioscience intranet communications
• Create, execute, and analyze internal communications and deliver themes, insights, and recommendations to Corporate Affairs Director and other internal stakeholders
• In coordination with the Corporate Affairs team, develop and curate content for cocoa flavanol web properties, staying at the forefront of the latest industry news
• Contribute to maintenance of social media properties to increase public awareness, recognition, and understanding of cocoa flavanols
• Manage internal corporate branding as it relates to external customer-facing communications, such as email auto-signatures and business cards
• Monitor news and internal announcements and business updates, curating content and distributing relevant communications to the office
• Manage confidential materials, reports, and other sensitive information in a responsible and secure manner
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or similar field
• Thinks creatively and actively seeks opportunities to do things different and better
• Minimum 2-3 years professional experience writing, editing and managing web and/or digital media communications projects
• Works well independently but also as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to quickly grasp information across a variety of disciplines, translate complex ideas and move with agility to create clear communications for a range of audiences
• Polished writing and copyediting skills
• Working with members of the Corporate Communications team to support multiple projects across the enterprise and within various divisions/departments
• Preparation of materials supporting enterprise communications initiatives
• Writing articles, briefings, fact sheets, and Q&A documents
• Maintenance of editorial content on Sharepoint-based intranet
• Creation of communication tool kits and templates
• Preparation and logistics for onsite and offsite business meetings
• Collaboration on messaging of company initiatives, business results, and recognition programs
• Manage a wide range of other corporate communications issues as needed
• Aid in the day-to-day management of various corporate communication vehicles, including Lexicon’s website and social media platforms
• Contribute to internal communications efforts via the creation of intranet and internal messaging content
• Understanding of intranets, enterprise social networks, HTML and CSS
• Familiar with web and email design and delivery best practices
• Demonstrate a keen sense of urgency and pride in the work produced
• Proven track record for building high level media relationships is important
• Be willing and able to travel regularly to rural locations in Indonesia
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Graphic Design, or a relevant field of study
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary communications teams consisting of media relations, brand/digital, community relations, government relations
• Lead and project manage supporting resources required to deliver ongoing program, tools and tactics, , digital specialists, graphic designers
• Managing intranet policy usage and guidelines
• Creating content, monitoring new content/ postings/updates
• Identifying content/page owners
• Monitoring the currency of content
• Partner with internal creative agency, IT and business stakeholders to help develop a strategy for a future intranet platform that will serve as a primary source for employee communication
• Assist with the development and implementation of new intranet platform when ready
• Support internal communications goals by conceptualizing, writing and editing a full range of communications including print, digital and audiovisual communications on behalf of business groups, operating companies and corporate functions
• Partner with stakeholders/groups that create and share frequent employee communications and supports their ongoing needs
• Leads initiatives to build on broadcast news coverage momentum, including outreach to have key Audi executives on camera a major events, such as auto shows and CES and news hooks, such as monthly sales reports
• Serve as AoA Communications lead on tonality and structure of brand press releases
• Can communicate with clarity and enthusiasm in-person and via the web, video, and social
• Ability to produce, edit and publish compelling video assets
• Self-directed, multi-tasker, high energy level, ability to work in dynamic, fast paced environment
• Collaborative, ability to consult with colleagues at all levels of the organization and across countries
• Serve as a spokesperson as needed.Support corporate financial milestones including earnings
• Develop communications strategies, plans and tactics in support of key initiatives to generate awareness, increase understanding and drive employee engagement with organization vision
• Develop and maintain strong internal client relationships with functional subject matter experts from the across the organization to gather information and provide expert internal communications support for key initiatives
• Ensure that news is communicated to the right audiences in the right ways, using multiple channels (elevator displays, digital signage, posters)
• Researches, develops, and edits complex communications materials
• Supports the development and implementation of a strategic communications plan and related initiatives
• Recommends revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding
• Oversees the production of printed materials
• May lead some departmental assignments and workload and/or provide guidance to lower level associates
• Coordinate multiple versions of Clinical Practice Today (print and e-publications)
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to provide recommendations on high-level issues
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or relevant field
• 2-5 years’ experience in a Corporate Affairs, Internal Communications, and/or relevant role
• Solid organizational, presentation and interpersonal skills, including the ability to juggle multiple assignments and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in Photoshop preferred
• Experience with video creation
• Develop and maintain working relationships with administrators and clinical staff within an assigned area
• Deliver well-crafted strategic communications, such as employee news stories, presentations, talking points and video scripts, external content including press releases, blog posts and social media content
• Serve as a strategic business partner to leaders, teams and functions across the company, with a focus on building relationships and gathering information to support internal and external communications activities
• Support the development and execution of internal and external communications, including project management, content development and stakeholder management
• Monitor business and competitor news to identify emerging issues and storylines
• Support monitoring, measurement and crisis communications activities
• Bachelor's degree required, with emphasis in Journalism, Communications or English preferred
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and accept delegated responsibility
• Serious commitment to excellence, quality and attention to detail
• Strong and confident presence when working with colleagues at all levels
• Internal and external and media communications experience experience in change management and project management
• Ability to act as a team player with a global mindset who is willing to work across divisions, geographies and functions
• Experience in writing presentations, speeches and/or scripts
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop creative solutions
• At least one year of experience delivering communications in a corporate setting
• At least one year of experience delivering on corporate communication strategies, providing communications consultation in a corporate setting – preferably in employee communications – and executing communication plans and events

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What Are the Duties of a Communications Officer?

• July 23, 2022

Table of Contents

What is a communications officer, what does a communications officer do, step 1: earn a bachelor’s degree, step 2: gain experience, step 3: become certified, step 4: earn a master’s degree, public speaking, social media, organization skills, interpersonal skills, communications officer job outlook and salary.

If you have excellent communication skills and are creative, a job as a communications officer might be your career. This position requires you to multitask and do many things, but the best part is that you can work across almost every industry because it’s that versatile.

This probably sounds like an exciting career path; in this article, you will find everything you need to know about a communications officer, their primary duties, and how you can become one.

Communications officers, also known as communications specialists, do many things simultaneously. They write and distribute content to promote an organization’s products, brand, or activities. Hence, they act like a liaison between the public, the organization, and the media to ensure the brand stands out.

Essentially, communications officers deal with an organization’s communications efforts, including marketing and public relations. They also need to complete market research, implement communication policies, and communicate with media personnel for any news to keep their brand’s reputation.

As you can see, one of the primary skills that a communications officer must have is communicating effectively. By doing so, they build a positive image for the organization, keeping the target audience in mind at all times.

A communications officer does everything to maintain a brand’s image. Generally, they create content, such as publications, website content, press releases, annual reports, and other marketing materials. They also arrange interviews, compile analytics and metrics, and keep a narrative of media coverage.

They have several duties they need to complete, some of which include:

• Developing, writing, and editing communications and marketing materials (blog posts, social media content, press releases, speeches)
• Conduct surveys or contact people of the target audience to understand their views
• Prepare reports for the management team, including recommendations to ensure a more positive attitude
• Promote communications and marketing materials through social media
• Regularly meet and arrange interviews with media personnel
• Develop working relationships with journalists in different types of media outlets
• Ensure that all marketing and communications material align with the brand’s standards
• Maintain digital media archives (photos, videos)
• Act as a spokesperson for the brand
• Prepare and manage the organization’s budget regarding communication
• Arrange news conferences for essential announcements
• Perform media outreach to make the brand part of their publication
• Work closely with marketing and product managers, designers, and website managers to collect information

But wait, there’s more! A communications officer should also have collaborative skills because they need to work with team members and implement communications campaigns and strategies. Additionally, they should seek opportunities to improve the brand’s reputation, as this is one of the most crucial duties they’re expected to do.

In cases when there are communication crises, a communications officer should be able to develop escalation protocols and manage conflict. This is a lot to take in!

How Do You Become a Communications Officer?

If you’ve got the skills already, you’re one step closer to becoming a communications officer. However, there are some requirements that you must fulfill, such as education, work experience, and some advanced skills. Let’s go over each one.

A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for a communications officer. They must have a degree in communication, journalism, public relations, or a related field. According to Zippia , 60.2% of communications officers have a bachelor’s degree, while 10.9% have a master’s degree.

In these programs, students are expected to take writing, speaking, and public relations courses. Additionally, they’ll also learn about ethics, messaging, and PR strategy, plus they might have the possibility to take classes in niche areas of PR.

If you want higher chances of succeeding, you can volunteer and complete an internship by working with organizations. Since most of your duties revolve around media, you should also take digital or new media courses.

You need the experience to pursue a career path , and a communications officer is no different. Most employers look for applicants who have experience working in journalism, social media, or public relations.

Initially, you can gain experience as a communications assistant. Over time, you can advance to communications associates, taking on more duties, such as coordinating publications, working with websites, etc. That said, you must have 2-5 years of experience in communications or marketing roles.

To become a communications officer, you must get certified first. You can get certified by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) . Applicants must have a minimum level of education and 2+ years of experience to take an exam. Additionally, the IABC requires you to submit a portfolio of work samples.

You’re wrong if you think the work is done after earning the certification! In fact, you will have to earn continuing education credits to preserve the accreditation.

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Field Of Study BA in Business Administration BA in Economics & Finance BA in Political Science & International Relations BS in Information Technology BS in Software Engineering MBA MSc in Big Data Analytics MSc in Cyber Security MSc in Artificial Intelligence Engineering MSc in Cloud Computing Engineering MSc in Software Engineering Dual Master Program in MBA & Big Data Analytics Intensive English Program (Mentora ESL)

Depending on your job position, some employers seek applicants with a master’s degree. During these programs, you can take advanced courses in public relations or choose a specific area such as strategic planning, corporate communication, or crisis communications.

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Communications Officer?

Apart from meeting the other requirements, a communications officer must also have interpersonal and organizational skills to help excel in every task. Here are some of the most important ones:

Writing is one of the most crucial skills that a communications officer must possess. They must write, distribute, and edit certain content, so they must know how to communicate the organization’s products, activities, and products. This can include writing speeches, annual reports, press releases, and other materials. Lastly, they should know how to write engaging yet accurate content.

A good communications officer often responds to media inquiries through interviews or speeches. They also act as a spokesperson for the organization, meaning they must know how to communicate their goals to the target audience.

Communicating clear messages on social media is one of the most crucial steps to establishing an organization’s image. Communications officers spend most of their time on social media, trying to develop and implement effective strategies to help maintain the brand’s image. 

Additionally, they should be proficient in social media platforms because they have to create and distribute content and promote the organization’s products or services.

It’s clear that communications officers have to multitask and take on many tasks. They should have organizational skills to help them manage their time, prioritize projects, and divide tasks. They need to know how to act in cases when something unexpected happens within the organization. This ensures that communications officers possess two other interrelated skills: decision-making and problem-solving skills.

An exceptional communications officer has interpersonal skills because they deal with multiple groups of contacts, such as marketing professionals, senior managers, and the media. When they have a positive attitude and know how to communicate, professional relationships are developed with ease. In that case, they need to have friendly traits like honesty, kindness, and integrity because only in this way can they build trust in the workplace and among workers.

Although communications officers have a lot on their plate, their efforts are rewarded because they make an average of $70.867 per year , but the typical range is between $62,119 and $82,389.

However, the salary depends on their level of experience, education, certification, skills, or the state they live in. For example, Washington DC is the highest paying city for communications officers in the US, as they pay an average of $58,596 per year .

Regarding the job outlook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates decent job growth for communications officers, with an increase of 7% in the next seven years, or around 29,200 openings.

Additionally, more job opportunities are expected to develop about social media content since this influences people’s opinions. The BLS further estimates a competition for communications officer jobs to increase, especially in large organizations with a lot of publicity, public relations companies, and advertising agencies.

The bottom line is that communications officers are a tremendous help to an organization because they’re the ones who keep the brand’s image thriving. They work with many people at once and might need many skills to do their job right, but it’s worth it.

One of the best things about working as a communications officer is the career opportunities because they can choose to work for a specific role or do a little bit of everything. One thing is for sure; they know their way around a company’s success.

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Effective communication: it’s everyone’s responsibility.

By Jennifer Comella , Training Manager

Communication consumes us. It defines us. It goes a long way toward defining our success or failure. And, it’s a two-part process. One process involves sending messages, and the other involves receiving messages. The average person spends about 17 hours each day communicating. Have you thought about what kind of messages you are sending and receiving?

Consider these statistics on how we communicate:

• We spend 7.5 hours listening
• We spend 3 hours reading
• We spend 5 hours talking
• We spend 1.5 hours writing

If you believe your communication skills are lacking, these numbers might scare you. Yet, before you go hiding in your “she-shed” with your cat named Dragon Princess (or your man cave, if applicable), take comfort knowing that we all miscommunicate from time to time, whether we are the sender or the receiver.

Now, think about this pivotal question: Who is responsible for messages being understood: the sender, or the receiver? It’s a trick question, for the answer is…both. Why do simple differences of opinion sometimes escalate? Why do many corporate engagement surveys cite “better communication” as the most frequent improvement suggestion? The answer is responsibility . The responsibility of communication lies with the sender and the receiver—and we don’t always hold ourselves accountable on both sides of the equation.

Consider some of the most prevalent factors that lead to breakdowns in communication, in business and in life:

• Generational gaps
• Cultural differences
• Language barriers
• Family and personal interests and pursuits
• Technology issues

Regardless of the factors in play, everyone involved – senders and receivers – should take responsibility for helping to develop and deploy effective communication. Senders must make sure that information they convey – verbally or electronically is easy to understand and has been properly received. Receivers must make sure that communications they receive make sense to them, and that they understand next steps. If there’s any uncertainty, they should respond with appropriate questions.

Communication becomes easier and more productive when each person takes ownership of what and how they are communicating. Knowing just that can help reshape your approach toward communications, and hopefully enhance it. But let’s go a step further. There are three main methods in which we communicate:

• Non-verbal – this includes your appearance, attitude and body language–and it most significantly impacts how people perceive you in face-to-face interactions.
• Verbal – this includes what you say and how you say it. Things that impact verbal communication include volume, pitch, rate and tone. Verbal communication is one of the key contributors to perception, whether it occurs over the phone or in person.
• Written – Written communication also imparts key information about us to readers.

Effective communications takes into account the specific audience and utilizes the appropriate communication method (or methods) to create a consistent, clear message. The best communications also are thorough and involve a two-way exchange of information. It takes understanding and control of all three methods to effectively shape your communications to fit your intended audience.

If all this still seems overwhelming, and you’re not sure where to start in your journey of optimizing communications, Marcum’s Human Resources Group offers an array of communication-based training for organizations of all sizes and scopes, including a basic Communication Skills course, and courses on The Birkman Method, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution using the Thomas Kilmann Model and Communicating Effectively With Your Manager.

Do you have questions about building effective communication throughout your organization, or other human resources issues? Contact us at (855) MARCUM1 .

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Document Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities are best documented and outlined in job descriptions. These descriptions are living documents and include task, duty, and responsibility lists, qualifications, reporting relationships and titles, and dates of creation and/or revision.

Job descriptions are valuable communications tools for supervisors and staff members. They help to:

• Define the job and expected results
• Select the best qualified candidates
• Determine the best processes to accomplish tasks and projects
• Establish performance objectives and goals
• Identify knowledge, skills and abilities to select and develop
• Reward employees equitably and appropriately

Establish Performance Standards, Goals and Objectives

Performance standards.

The supervisor is responsible for defining and communicating performance expectations, which can be defined as the work responsibilities and tasks that an employee is expected to perform. The performance standards are best described as the expected result, product, or outcome of the work responsibilities and tasks that an employee performs. Performance standards may also be related to behavioral criteria pertinent to the assignment (e.g., working collaboratively, negotiating style).

Performance standards can be defined with the SMARTS model:

• Specific: with enough detail to be clear
• Measurable: use quantitative goals when available, use milestones, use thoughtful judgments
• Attainable: realistic in terms of employee's control, timeframe, and resources available
• Reasonable: realistic in terms of what can really be achieved
• Time-based: with dates set for achieving milestones, results, completion
• Stretch: challenging to achieve beyond the current levels

For example:

• Deliver professional seminars according to departmental training standards.
• Build and maintain positive and effective working relationships with clients.
• Seminars should meet or exceed training goals.
• Tests are performed accurately.
• Departmental filing is kept current.
• Record requests are filled within one hour.

There are various times at which it is important to communicate performance standards: When a new employee starts the job; at the start of the performance year; when job responsibilities change; and when coaching will help an employee's performance.

Performance Goals and Objectives

Statements of results and how to get there. Describes the condition that will exist when the desired outcome has been achieved.

Examples include:

• Complete the employee orientation booklet by March 31, incorporating input from all area supervisors and preparing a content list by February 15 for review by the HR advisory committee.
•  Learn desktop publishing techniques to produce the departmental newsletter. Complete training sessions within the next two months and produce a draft of the spring newsletter by March 1.
• Increase number of tests performed daily from 5 to 7. Investigate new instrumentation to improve the accuracy of testing and make recommendations to task force to purchase new instrumentation.
• By July 1, a new file system for survey responses will be developed and all office staff will be trained to use and understand the system.
• Meet with clients monthly, responding to their needs, addressing their concerns, explaining policies and assisting them with problem solving.

Communicate Responsibilities, Goals and Objectives

By communicating performance standards, you will be able to obtain desired results/outcomes, improve an employee's performance, and develop new skills. When you do meet to discuss these expectations, standards, and goals, meet in a quiet place without interruptions and have the job description and objectives in hand. Be sure to discuss the expectations with the employee and confirm that the employee understands the tasks and responsibilities of the position.

• Meet in a quiet place without interruptions.
• Have the employee's position description as well as unit's business plan and/or objectives at the meeting.
• Talk with employee about expectations.
• Confirm that employee understands the tasks, responsibilities of the position.
• Ask the employee for comments, suggestions on performance standards.
• Finalize performance standards with employee, confirm the employee's understanding.
• Define performance standards at each level of performance. (e.g., meets expectations, exceeds expectations)

• Take Career Assessment

The Global Standard of the Communication Profession

About the global standard.

The Global Standard is defined by communication professionals around the world embracing a shared career purpose and six core Principles as the building blocks of their work. Informed by a passion for engaging audiences with strategic communication, the purpose and Principles focus our work and form a global standard. Applying that standard enables us to cross all borders, align with diverse cultures and effectively serve organizations of all types and sizes. IABC’s programs and initiatives are aligned to the Global Standard, ensuring consistency and credibility throughout all efforts.

The career purpose of a communication professional

Communication professionals represent the voice of an organization as it interacts with customers, clients, employees, partners, shareholders, competitors and the community. The communication professional brings the organization to life with a brand voice that aligns its verbal, visual and digital messages and activities with its mission and vision. By clarifying the brand, communication professionals also help ensure the organization runs efficiently and effectively.

Communication professionals build a strategic communication plan based on thorough research, they communicate with a variety of audiences in a range of styles, they develop and edit content, and they assess where and how to communicate and how to evaluate the results of their work. They act as the organization’s conscience and strive for its financial, social and environmental sustainability.

The six core principles of the communication profession

Competencies

Communication professionals adopt the highest standards of professional behavior. They always:

• Communicate with sensitivity to cultural values and beliefs.
• Act without deception and in accordance with the law.
• Represent the organization truthfully, fairly and accurately.
• Enable mutual understanding and respect.
• Adhere to the IABC Code of Ethics for Professional Communicators.
• Communicate cultural values
• Communicate in accordance with law
• Represent organization truthfully, fairly and accurately
• Enable mutual understanding and respect

Consistency

Acting as the organization’s voice, a communication professional expresses a single, consistent story for internal and external audiences. This narrative is clear and compelling, it reflects the input and perspectives of diverse stakeholders, and it furthers the organization’s mission. A communication professional integrates information and inspiration for this narrative from people with diverse perspectives and ensures that communications are culturally appropriate to each audience.

• Using single, consistent voice for internal and external stakeholders
• Establishing clear and compelling narrative
• Recognizing diverse stakeholders
• Integrating information from diverse perspectives
• Ensuring culturally appropriate information for each audience

The communication professional is sophisticated about the organization’s internal culture and external environment. Deep familiarity with the organization’s vision and goals and how its elements function together from accounting to production to human resources – is crucial to interacting successfully with other leaders of the organization and communicating effectively about the organization. Advocating successfully for the organization also depends on a thorough understanding of its political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal context — and of how to interact with representatives of other organizations.

• Understanding internal cultures
• Understanding external environments
• Understanding organization’s vision and goals and how operations function together
• Advocating for the organization
• Understanding political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal context
• Interacting with representatives of other organizations

Communication professionals research and evaluate how to serve and promote the organization most effectively and then offer recommendations supported by direct and secondary evidence. They develop and implement communication plans and gauge their results using clear qualitative and quantitative measures that can be duplicated.

• Understanding research
• Understanding evaluation
• Developing communication plans
• Implementing communication plans
• Using qualitative measures
• Using quantitative measures

With rigor and discipline, a communication professional identifies opportunities and challenges both inside and outside of the organization. Addressing communication challenges and opportunities with a thoughtful strategy allows the organization to achieve its mission and goals. The communication professional systematically manages communication activities, making decisions based on research, analysis, planning and evaluation. The professional also has the flexibility and creativity to adjust to change inside and outside of the organization.

• Understanding communication challenges
• Managing communication activities
• Making decisions based on research
• Making decisions based on analysis
• Planning communication strategies
• Conducting evaluation

A communication professional identifies and communicates with employees, customers, shareholders, regulators, government agencies and other groups with an interest in the organization’s activities. All these groups have the potential to change the organization’s results. So the communication professional fosters and nourishes relationships with them that will support the organization’s mission and goals. The communication professional uses dialogue to tell the organization’s story and garner support.

• Identifying with various stakeholders
• Fostering and nourishing relationships to support organization’s mission and goals
• Using dialogue to tell the organization’s story and garner support

The IABC Career Roadmap

While the four career milestones may be viewed as a progression, this is not always the case. Communication professionals may choose to focus their career goals on one, or more, of these milestones, as the descriptions below note.

• When launching their professional career, the communication professional develops initial knowledge, skills, and behaviors, across the Global Standard purpose and principles .
• The professional contributes under relatively close supervision and direction from a senior person, exercising initiative and creativity within a well-defined area.
• The professional masters basic tasks and demonstrates competence within a communication strategy or campaign.

Generalist/Specialist

• At this milestone, the communication professional branches into a role with a specific focus (Specialist) or a broad multi-disciplinary focus (Generalist) that provides opportunities for a more strategic approach , applying a deeper understanding of the Global Standard purpose and principles.
• The Generalist/Specialist leads projects or client engagements independently, developing credibility with stakeholders while building relationships related to areas of interest.
• Many professionals choose to work in either Generalist or Specialist roles in the same or several organizations throughout their career.

Strategic Advisor

• Through the consistent application of the principles, the Strategic Advisor assumes increased stakeholder responsibilities, project and business management roles, and financial administration . The Strategic Advisor provides strategic communication advice to the organization’s leadership .
• The work of the Strategic Advisor becomes interdependent, taking responsibility for assignments other than their own and developing other leaders with communications responsibilities within the organization.
• These professionals have strong leadership skills, broad business perspectives, and diverse expertise, exploring diverse communication techniques within various disciplines.

Business Leader

• A Business Leader plays a crucial role in shaping the organization’s future by advocating for promising people, programs, and ideas that align with the organization’s direction . They lead the application of the principles within their organization and hold the leadership to account.
• They have developed competence in several areas and are well-regarded in the profession, often operating in a global, national, or regional role. They effectively represent the organization on critical strategic issues and contribute counsel, coaching and function at a peer level with other senior executives.
• The Business Leader is adept at identifying new business opportunities, motivating buy-in and gaining resources through a well-articulated and clear strategy. They effectively represent the organization on critical strategic issues.

Seafront Visitor Services Officer

Job introduction.

At BCP Council we recognise that our position as a highly successful council depends on our fantastic team of people, who work hard and love what they do.  

Our Seafront Service is responsible for the management and development of our beautiful world-renowned coastline, and we are looking for a dynamic and customer focussed officer  to join our team.

You will need to be passionate about enhancing visitor experiences and will play a key role in improving visitor communications, promoting Seafront Services, and driving commercial success across our stunning seafront locations.

Working directly with the Seafront Visitor Services Manager, you’ll help ensure high-quality, efficient, and sustainable services that deliver value for money and satisfaction to residents, businesses, and visitors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Improving customer communications, handling enquiries, compliments, and complaints.
• Drive business growth by enhancing commercial activities, such as beach huts, beach lodges, and weddings. Help to increase income generation and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee booking and invoicing systems, ensuring they meet service delivery needs and comply with financial regulations.
• Develop and deliver engaging marketing and promotional materials, signage, and social media content to promote Seafront Services.
• Build strong relationships with customers, colleagues, and partners to ensure a high level of customer care and satisfaction.
• Supervise staff and volunteers, ensuring smooth operation across a 7-day rota, including attendance at wedding ceremonies and receptions.
• Conduct visitor surveys and compile feedback to support service delivery improvements and funding bids.
• Ensure that all seafront hire activities comply with health and safety regulations and council policies.
• Deputise for the Visitor Services Manager as required.

This is a unique opportunity requiring a special individual who enjoys working in a mutually supportive and collaborative team environment but also can work well on their own initiative.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Experience in customer-facing roles and supporting staff and volunteers.
• Proven experience managing customer communications, enquiries and complaints.
• Commercial success within the tourism / hospitality sector.
• Experience in running successful marketing campaigns focused on business growth.
• Budget management and administrative experience.

In return, we will give you a rewarding job, a fantastic working environment in a lovely location and great colleagues.

• You must have a customer-first mindset with strong relationship-building abilities, excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail and ability to forward-plan and prioritise.
• A positive, team-oriented attitude with leadership abilities.

The role will be office based with the expectation of high operational visibility.   Please see the Job Description for further information.

Job Requirements:

• Must be willing to travel across the BCP area, using public transport where possible or access to own/pool car.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Flexibility to work a 5-in-7-day rota, including weekends, Bank Holidays, and during major festivals (e.g., Bournemouth Air Festival).

Interviews will be held on Friday 25th October 2024 at BCP Council Civic Offices, Bournemouth BH2 6DY.

If you have any questions or require more information about this role please contact:

Anthony Rogers, Head of Seafront           anthony.ro [email protected]   

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusiv e place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on our website.

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation and colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. This is expected to be in place in 2024 or early 2025.

• Salary BCP Band H £33,024 - £35,745
• Frequency Annual
• Dynamics Position Number 112240
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 08 October, 2024
• Job Category Administration / Customer Service
• Business Unit Commercial Operations
• Location Bournemouth Seafront Office, United Kingdom
• Posted on 23 September, 2024
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Multiple principal investigators.

The multiple project directors/principal investigators (PD/PIs) option presents an important opportunity for investigators applying for projects or activities that require a team science approach. This option is targeted specifically to those projects that do not fit the single-PD/PI model. It is intended to supplement and not replace the traditional single PD/PI model. The overarching goal is to maximize the potential of team science efforts to be responsive to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Introduction

The traditional NIH research project grant consists of a single Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) working with a small group of subordinates on an independent research project. Although this model clearly continues to work well and encourages creativity and productivity, it does not always work well for multidisciplinary efforts and collaboration. Increasingly, health-related research involves teams that vary in terms of size, hierarchy, location of participants, goals, disciplines, and structure. The multiple-PD/PI model supplements, and not replace, the traditional single PD/PI model, and allows applicants and their institution to identify more than one PD/PI on a single grant application. The goal is to encourage collaboration among equals when that is the most appropriate way to address a scientific problem. The NIH adopted a multiple-PD/PI model in November 2006, in response to recommendations from the NIH 2003 Bioengineering Consortium (BECON), an NIH Roadmap Initiative to stimulate interdisciplinary science in 2004, and a directive from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in 2007. As a result of a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain input on policies and issues of special interest to the health-related research community, and experiences from pilot initiatives offered through a select group of Requests for Applications and Program Announcements, NIH implemented the Multi Principal Investigator Policy (see NOT-OD-07-017 ). The availability of the multiple PD/PI option encourages interdisciplinary and other team approaches to biomedical research.

Features of the Multiple PD/PI Model

The format and administration of applications submitted under the multiple-PD/PI model have some elements that differ from the traditional single-PD/PI model.

In addition to its direct impact on researchers, the adoption by the NIH of a multiple-PD/PI model affects some administrative operations of both the NIH and the awardee institutions. For example, as a result of the multiple PD/PI initiative, the NIH Departmental Ranking Tables that ranked institutions and medical school departments by the amount of NIH funding they received were replaced with a web-based tool that allows users to determine dollars awarded to any one organization or department. With multiple PD/PIs from different departments, assignment of funds is not possible; in addition, many institutions responded to the RFI that the value of the tables to the scientific community was limited. Extramural award data is now available from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool ( RePORT ). Specific features of the multiple PD/PI option include the following:

• NIH Grant Applications Forms, including the PHS 398 and SF424 R&R, accommodate more than one PD/PI (see application forms in the Forms Directory ).
• Applications that involve more than one PD/PI must include a Leadership Plan that describes the roles, the responsibilities, and the working relationship of the identified PD/PIs.
• All PD/PIs are designated by the applicant institution.
• All PD/PIs share the responsibility and authority for leading and directing the project.
• All listed PD/PIs must be registered in eRA Commons with a PD/PI role type.
• All listed PD/PIs will have access to Status on the eRA Commons .
• The first PD/PI listed must be affiliated with the institution submitting the application and will serve as the contact PD/PI.
• The contact PD/PI will be responsible for communication between the NIH and the rest of the leadership team.
• Being named contact PD/PI does not imply any particular role within the leadership team.
• When requested by the recipient institution at the time of a non-competing application, another member of the leadership team may assume the role of contact PD/PI.
• All PD/PIs will be listed on summary statements.
• All PD/PIs will be listed on the Notice of Award (NoA).
• All PD/PIs will be listed in project descriptions available in RePORTER .
• The role type, “co-PI” is not used by the NIH.
• A change from a multiple PD/PI model to a single-PD/PI model, or from a single-PD/PI model to a multiple PD/PI model, requires the prior approval of the IC Grants Management Officer and must be based on the scientific needs of the project ( NOT-OD-11-118 ).
• NIH policies related to applications from New Investigators and or Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) will be applied to multi-PD/PI applications only when all PD/PIs involved are classified as New Investigators and/or ESIs (see Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Policies ).
• For the purpose of classification as a New Investigator, successfully competing as a multiple PD/PI on a substantial NIH independent research award is equivalent to serving as a PD/PI on a single PD/PI grant in that it will discontinue status as a New Investigator . An individual who meets the definition of New Investigator and is added as a PD/PI on an active substantial NIH independent research award after peer review will not lose their new investigator status.
• Standard NIH review criteria accommodate both single PD/PI and multiple PD/PI applications.
• Awards involving PD/PIs at different institutions are managed using subcontracts.

Availability of the Multiple PD/PI Model

The multiple PD/PI option is extended to most research grant applications submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the SF424 R&R application package. If the multiple PD/PI model is not allowed, the funding opportunity will state that “Multiple Principal Investigators (MPI) are not permitted.” under Section III, Eligible Individuals.

Decision to Use the Multiple PD/PI Model

The decision to apply for a single PD/PI or a multiple PD/PI grant is the responsibility of the investigators and the applicant organization. Those decisions should be consistent with and justified by the scientific goals of the project. Therefore, as with the preparation of any research grant application, it is essential that investigators consider all aspects of the funding mechanism before submission. While there are some projects that clearly will be appropriate for the multiple-PD/PI model, the fit for other projects may not be so clear. All applicants proposing team science efforts are strongly encouraged to contact their NIH program officials at the earliest possible date to discuss the appropriateness of the multiple-PD/PI model for the support of their research.

Upcoming Events

• Examples of Project Leadership Plans for Multiple PI Grant Applications , April 26, 2006 (21 KB)
• Multiple Principal Investigator Guidance to Reviewers , January 4, 2007 (27 KB)
• NOT-OD-11-118 (09/28/2011) - Revised Multiple Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) Policy to Allow Change with Prior Approval
• NOT-OD-07-017 (11/20/2006) - Establishment of Multiple Principal Investigator Awards for the Support of Team Science Projects

Introduction to Communication

Your responsibilities as a communicator, learning objective.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Discuss and provide several examples of each of the two main responsibilities of a business communicator.

This section is focused on applying fundamental principles of communication to the business environment.  Whenever you speak or write in a business environment, you have certain responsibilities to your audience, your employer, and your profession. Your audience comes to you with an inherent set of expectations that you will fulfill these responsibilities. The specific expectations may change given the context or environment, but two central ideas will remain: be prepared, and be ethical.

The Communicator Is Prepared

As the business communicator’s first responsibility, preparation includes several facets which we will examine: organization, clarity, and being concise and punctual.

Being prepared means that you have selected a topic appropriate to your audience, gathered enough information to cover the topic well, put your information into a logical sequence, and considered how best to present it. If your communication is a written one, you have written an outline and at least one rough draft, read it over to improve your writing and correct errors, and sought feedback where appropriate. If your communication is oral, you have practiced several times before your actual performance.

The Prepared Communicator Is Organized

Part of being prepared is being organized. Aristotle called this logos , or logic, and it involves the steps or points that lead your communication to a conclusion. Once you’ve invested time in researching your topic, you will want to narrow your focus to a few key points and consider how you’ll present them. On any given topic there is a wealth of information; your job is to narrow that content down to a manageable level, serving the role of gatekeeper by selecting some information and “de-selecting,” or choosing to not include other points or ideas.

You also need to consider how to link your main points together for your audience. Use transitions to provide signposts or cues for your audience to follow along. “Now that we’ve examined X, let’s consider Y” is a transitional statement that provides a cue that you are moving from topic to topic. Your listeners or readers will appreciate your being well organized so that they can follow your message from point to point.

The Prepared Communicator Is Clear

You have probably had the unhappy experience of reading or listening to a communication that was vague and wandering. Part of being prepared is being clear. If your message is unclear, the audience will lose interest and tune you out, bringing an end to effective communication.

Interestingly, clarity begins with intrapersonal communication: you need to have a clear idea in your mind of what you want to say before you can say it clearly to someone else. At the interpersonal level, clarity involves considering your audience, as you will want to choose words and phrases they understand and avoid jargon or slang that may be unfamiliar to them.

Clarity also involves presentation. A brilliant message scrawled in illegible handwriting, or in pale gray type on gray paper, will not be clear. When it comes to oral communication, if you mumble your words, speak too quickly or use a monotonous tone of voice, or stumble over certain words or phrases, the clarity of your presentation will suffer.

Technology also plays a part; if you are using a microphone or conducting a teleconference, clarity will depend on this equipment functioning properly—which brings us back to the importance of preparation. In this case, in addition to preparing your speech, you need to prepare by testing the equipment ahead of time.

The Prepared Communicator Is Concise and Punctual

Concise means brief and to the point. In most business communications you are expected to “get down to business” right away. Being prepared includes being able to state your points clearly and support them with clear evidence in a relatively straightforward, linear way.

It may be tempting to show how much you know by incorporating additional information into your document or speech, but in so doing you run the risk of boring, confusing, or overloading your audience. Talking in circles or indulging in tangents, where you get off topic or go too deep, can hinder an audience’s ability to grasp your message. Be to the point and concise in your choice of words, organization, and even visual aids.

Being concise also involves being sensitive to time constraints. How many times have you listened to a speaker say “in conclusion” only to continue speaking for what seems like forever? How many meetings and conference calls have you attended that got started late or ran beyond the planned ending time? The solution, of course, is to be prepared to be punctual. If you are asked to give a five-minute presentation at a meeting, your coworkers will not appreciate your taking fifteen minutes, any more than your supervisor would appreciate your submitting a fifteen-page report when you were asked to write five pages. For oral presentations, time yourself when you rehearse and make sure you can deliver your message within the allotted number of minutes.

There is one possible exception to this principle. Many non-Western cultures prefer a less direct approach, where business communication often begins with social or general comments that a U.S. audience might consider unnecessary. Some cultures also have a less strict interpretation of time schedules and punctuality. While it is important to recognize that different cultures have different expectations, the general rule holds true that good business communication does not waste words or time.

The Communicator Is Ethical

The business communicator’s second fundamental responsibility is to be ethical. Ethics refers to a set of principles or rules for correct conduct. It echoes what Aristotle called ethos , the communicator’s good character and reputation for doing what is right. Communicating ethically involves being egalitarian, respectful, and trustworthy—overall, practicing the “golden rule” of treating your audience the way you would want to be treated.

Communication can move communities, influence cultures, and change history. It can motivate people to take stand, consider an argument, or purchase a product. The degree to which you consider both the common good and fundamental principles you hold to be true when crafting your message directly relates to how your message will affect others.

The Ethical Communicator Is Egalitarian

The word “egalitarian” comes from the root “equal.” To be egalitarian is to believe in basic equality: that all people should share equally in the benefits and burdens of a society. It means that everyone is entitled to the same respect, expectations, access to information, and rewards of participation in a group.

To communicate in an egalitarian manner, speak and write in a way that is comprehensible and relevant to all your listeners or readers, not just those who are “like you” in terms of age, gender, race or ethnicity, or other characteristics.

In business, you will often communicate to people with certain professional qualifications. For example, you may draft a memo addressed to all the nurses in a certain hospital, or give a speech to all the adjusters in a certain branch of an insurance company. Being egalitarian does not mean you have to avoid professional terminology that is understood by nurses or insurance adjusters. But it does mean that your hospital letter should be worded for all the hospital’s nurses—not just female nurses, not just nurses working directly with patients, not just nurses under age fifty-five. An egalitarian communicator seeks to unify the audience by using ideas and language that are appropriate for all the message’s readers or listeners.

The Ethical Communicator Is Respectful

People are influenced by emotions as well as logic. Aristotle named pathos , or passion, enthusiasm and energy, as the third of his three important parts of communicating after logos and ethos .

Most of us have probably seen an audience manipulated by a “cult of personality,” believing whatever the speaker said simply because of how dramatically he or she delivered a speech; by being manipulative, the speaker fails to respect the audience. We may have also seen people hurt by sarcasm, insults, and other disrespectful forms of communication.

This does not mean that passion and enthusiasm are out of place in business communication. Indeed, they are very important. You can hardly expect your audience to care about your message if you don’t show that you care about it yourself. If your topic is worth writing or speaking about, make an effort to show your audience why it is worthwhile by speaking enthusiastically or using a dynamic writing style. Doing so, in fact, shows respect for their time and their intelligence.

However, the ethical communicator will be passionate and enthusiastic without being disrespectful. Losing one’s temper and being abusive are generally regarded as showing a lack of professionalism (and could even involve legal consequences for you or your employer). When you disagree strongly with a coworker, feel deeply annoyed with a difficult customer, or find serious fault with a competitor’s product, it is important to express such sentiments respectfully. For example, instead of telling a customer, “I’ve had it with your complaints!” a respectful business communicator might say, “I’m having trouble seeing how I can fix this situation. Would you explain to me what you want to see happen?”

The Ethical Communicator Is Trustworthy

Trust is a key component in communication, and this is especially true in business. As a consumer, would you choose to buy merchandise from a company you did not trust? If you were an employer, would you hire someone you did not trust?

Your goal as a communicator is to build a healthy relationship with your audience, and to do that you must show them why they can trust you and why the information you are about to give them is believable. One way to do this is to begin your message by providing some information about your qualifications and background, your interest in the topic, or your reasons for communicating at this particular time.

Your audience will expect that what you say is the truth as you understand it. This means that you have not intentionally omitted, deleted, or taken information out of context simply to prove your points. They will listen to what you say and how you say it, but also to what you don’t say or do. You may consider more than one perspective on your topic, and then select the perspective you perceive to be correct, giving concrete reasons why you came to this conclusion. People in the audience may have considered or believe in some of the perspectives you consider, and your attention to them will indicate you have done your homework.

Being worthy of trust is something you earn with an audience. Many wise people have observed that trust is hard to build but easy to lose. A communicator may not know something and still be trustworthy, but it’s a violation of trust to pretend you know something when you don’t. Communicate what you know, and if you don’t know something, research it before you speak or write. If you are asked a question to which you don’t know the answer, say “I don’t know the answer but I will research it and get back to you” (and then make sure you follow through later). This will go over much better with the audience than trying to cover by stumbling through an answer or portraying yourself as knowledgeable on an issue that you are not.

The “Golden Rule”

When in doubt, remember the “golden rule,” which says to treat others the way you would like to be treated. In all its many forms, the golden rule incorporates human kindness, cooperation, and reciprocity across cultures, languages, backgrounds and interests. Regardless of where you travel, who you communicate with, or what your audience is like, remember how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of your communication, and act accordingly.

Key Takeaway

As a communicator, you are responsible for being prepared and being ethical. Being prepared includes being organized, clear, concise, and punctual. Being ethical includes being egalitarian, respectful, and trustworthy and overall, practicing the “golden rule.”

THINK ABOUT IT

1. Recall one time you felt offended or insulted in a conversation. What contributed to your perception?

2. When someone lost your trust, were they able earn it back?

3. Does the communicator have a responsibility to the audience? Does the audience have a responsibility to the speaker? Why or why not?

4.  How well do these guidelines transfer to communication outside the workplace?  In personal relationships?  In the classroom?

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