Walmart managers are expected to be effective communicators. Whether presenting information to large groups of associates or sitting down with individuals for one-on-one performance reviews, managers must be skillful at using the correct communication model, style, and channel to ensure the information they share is clearly understood. Managers must also be good listeners since listening is vital to effective communication. When managers communicate in a manner that fosters shared understanding, they can better help associates develop professionally and personally. This results in improved employee satisfaction levels for those individuals, which drives improved performance at the Walmart location where they work, and the Walmart organization as a whole.

Read the questions below and think about how you would answer each of them:

A) Why is it important to consider the context or situation when preparing to communicate with others?

B) How does the channel (mode or type) of communication influence how it is received by your audience?

C) What is the difference between hearing and listening? Why is this difference important to effective communication?

D0 Who is primarily responsible for ensuring that the information being communicated is understood - the sender or the receiver?