Exercise Overview. Communication skills refer to a manager's ability to effectively convey ideas and information to others and to effectively receive ideas and information from others. This exercise focuses on communication skills as they involve deciding how to best convey information to others.

Exercise Background. Assume that you are a middle manager for a large electronics firm. People in your organization generally use one of three methods to communicate with one another. One common method is verbal communication, either face-to-face or by telephone. Surprisingly, people also still use a lot of written communication in the form of memos, reports, letters, and other documentation. And, of course, there is also a lot of digital communication such as email and direct messaging. During a typical day you receive and send a variety of messages and other communication, sometimes using only a single method of communication but often using some combination of methods. The questions that follow ask you to select one or more methods that would be most effective for communicating specific kinds of information.

question 1.

You want to congratulate a coworker who just had a baby. Which of these options would most likely be both efficient and effective?Check all that apply.

Send a personal email

Send a written memorandum

Send a message via social media

Call the coworker on the telephone

Schedule an appointment to deliver your good wishes

question 2.

You need to schedule a meeting with your boss. Which of these options would most likely be both efficient and effective?Check all that apply.

Email the boss's assistant and request a meeting

Write a formal letter to your boss asking for a meeting

Call the boss's assistant and request a meeting

question 3. You need to inform several individuals about a new set of government regulations that will soon affect them. Which of these options would most likely be both efficient and effective?Check all that apply.

Use social media

Send an email, including a link to details about the new regulations

Send a memorandum, including information about the new regulations