Fostering Effective Communication in the Workplace: A Competency-Based Approach that Boosts Your Ability to Get and Give Information (Competency-Based Workbooks for Structured Learning)

Wesley E Donahue, PhD serves as a professor of Management Development and Education at Penn State University, as president of Centrestar Inc. a firm that provides leadership skills to professionals, and is a registered Professional engineer, a certified management professional, and author of the COMPETENCY-BASED WORKSHOPS FOR STRUCTURED LEARNING series, of which FOSTERING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE is Book 5.Before opening this treasure chest of learning, Dr. Donahue states, ‘When asked about the biggest problem in their organizations, most people say it’s “poor communication.” For example, while leaders typically devote 70 percent of their time to communicating, what people understand drops with each organizational level through which it filters. And what eventually trickles through five levels may be only 20 percent of the original message. “The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing” isn’t just a saying!’ And with that friendly statement, Dr. Donahue provides those skills in this excellent workbook.Basing the advice rendered on the Competency Model, this workbook instructs in a practical way the following concepts: Communicate to promote understanding, Be aware of how others perceive you, Be aware of your non-verbal communication, Identify and moderate barriers to communication, Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and generational differences, Plan and conduct effective meetings, Manage communication challenges, Listen and ask questions, Use virtual communication appropriately, and Communicate critical job information effectively. All aspects are accompanied by illustrations and workbook pages that stimulate the reader to learn – and employ – the advice proffered.At book’s end is a quiz to reinforce the lessons offered. Dr. Donahue is a fine instructor and his publication of this book – at this particular time – is a most valuable contribution. Recommended. Grady Harp, April 22

Effective communication is very difficult to achieve, especially in big companies where a message has to go through several levels of filters. This is true in any kind of organisation and, in my particular case, I applied everything I learned from this great book in an educational environment.Fostering Effective Communication in the Workplace written by Dr Wesley Donahue is an interesting and extremely useful workbook that explains communication, the factors that prevent it in a company and how we can boost our ability to communicate successfully. The book is a hands-on manual that portrays clear explanations of different topics and also includes diagrams, graphs, lists of concepts and inspirational phrases by well-known people. All these make the book an excellent tool to have always at hand. I highly recommend it.

The content is mostly rudimentary, useful for teaching foundational skills and concepts. For a book on effective communication, though, I was startled at the type and number of errors in the text itself. Example, from page 6: "...inconsistencies between words and behaviors can also impeded communications." Example, from page 27: "What strategies you can use to effectively communicator with people..." These are transcribed exactly as they appear in the text, and there are others as well. Both editor and author need to sharpen their effective book publishing skills.

“Fostering Effective Communication in the Workplace” by Wesley Donahue is a book that targets problems of communication inside the workplace. This book proves to be useful for any kind of workplace.Personally, I believe communication is key in all aspects of life. I have been struggling with this issue at work recently, and this is why I decided to do some research as regards the topic. I found lots of information online and I also talked with some partners, who were responsible of recommending me this reader.I found the book interesting and helpful because it is clearly written and it contains useful illustrations that help with the understanding of the text.I give it five stars!

Fostering effective communication is a book that tackles an essential, and relevant, part of communicating; it’s not only what we say, but how we say it. Perception has gained leverage like never before. There are so many variables surrounding effective communication that the old school’s ways won’t work anymore; not when you want to get through to younger generations. More than a tedious reading, this book is a crash course on effective, modern communication. I absolutely loved the structure and the exercises. Highly recommended for managers, directors, and leaders in general.

A great way to quickly and painlessly learn about effective communication!

"Fostering Effective Communication in the Workplace" is a self-help book for business owners and managers who want to improve their communication skills. The book is different from others in its genre because of its structure. I believe that anyone in a leadership role can benefit from reading this book.

Fostering effective communication in the workplace is a non-fiction self-help book for business owners and managers who wish to better their interpersonal relationships, communication, be aware, and effective at work. There are many books out there with similar concepts and premises; however, what I believe made this book hold its own was its structure. I recommend this workbook to entrepreneurs and managers.