Saying
Something About Executive Communication
by
Leonard Toenjes
Q: I own
a construction firm and like to fill my managerial and executive openings by drawing
from my field personnel. They usually have 15 or more years in construction and
have superb technical and construction financing knowledge. However, I find they
occasionally lack in an important area: oral and written communication skills.
Where can I turn to improve the communications skills to groom managers- and executives-to-be?
A. It is certainly a good approach to hire from within. There are several
steps I would recommend prior to making a determination about filling managerial
and executive openings and creating a development plan.
First, there is
no better first step than to spend a couple of hundred dollars and send prospective
candidates through a thorough personality profile process. While you certainly
have had an opportunity over many years to observe their performance and personality
characteristics, a professionally administered and evaluated personality profile
will provide real insights on managerial ability and executive potential.
More
important, a good profile of this type will provide information on developmental
potential and motivational factors.
There are some employees that realistically
do not possess the ability to develop oral and/or written communications skills
regardless of the training provided. A particular individual may be very strong
in math, reading, problem solving, decision making and other desirable characteristics
but totally lack the potential to develop communication skills.
The profile
for the individual may indicate their best learning method. It should also indicate
the motivational tools that will help you encourage that individual to work hard
at this program to achieve success.
Training
Ideas After the appropriate candidates are identified, there are several training
venues.
My top pick for a program that is the industry leader is the AGC
of America-developed Supervisory Training Program that includes Oral and Written
Communications as one of the ten units.
Topics covered in this program
include identification of the various forms of communication, problems resulting
from poor communication, effective methods for getting your point across with
the difficult person, learning about the components of conversation, building
skills for communicating with a construction crew, and writing skills and habits,
among other topics.
If this training is not offered in your local geographic
area in a classroom setting, it is available online at www.constructionclasses.com.
There
are also public speaking classes and writing classes available from a variety
of community colleges.
Many times, volunteer organizations such as Toastmasters
can provide opportunities for individuals to work on their verbal skills. There
are more general and nonconstruction specific but may be an effective alternative.
In
any instance, the process of identification of potential developable candidates,
providing industry specific training, and motivating the individual to complete
the training successfully will reap you great long-term rewards. Information and
communication are two essential components of profitability, safety and productivity.
Do
you have questions on construction human resources or safety? E-mail them to Leonard
Toenjes at ltoenjes@agcstl.org or craig_barner@mcgraw-hill.com.
If Len picks your question, he will answer it in a future issue of Midwest
Construction.)
Do you have questions
on construction human resources or safety? E-mail them to Leonard Toenjes at ltoenjes@agcstl.org
or craig_barner@mcgraw-hill.com.
If Len picks your question, he will answer it in a future issue of Midwest
Construction.) | 
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