Health & Human Services, Enrichment, and Business and Management Enrichment Health and Human Services Business & Management

Communication: Up, Down and Sideways

Probably no skill is as vital to supervisors and managers as effective interpersonal communication. The ability to listen so you truly understand the issues, and as a way to build effective working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization is critical. The most productive and successful supervisors know the value of being a skilled communicator - it is directly linked to their personal productivity and organizational effectiveness.

As a supervisor, you also need to understand that the organizational structure of your workplace has a significant impact on communication. By increasing your awareness, you can develop strategies for dealing with that impact and enhancing your communication in all directions. We will explore the importance of:

  • listening carefully - a key skill for supervisors
  • building effective relationships
  • being open to the discontent of staff
  • recognizing the impact of your organization's structure on communication
  • developing and sharing your vision with the staff you lead
  • taking care of yourself

Kathleen Carnes, M.S. is currently Director of the Staff Education and Training Unit for the Department of Health and Human Services and has extensive experience in both direct service delivery and training. She presents a wide variety of programs and is certified to teach several special programs including Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Parent Effectiveness Training and Ethical Fitness Seminars (Institute for Global Ethics).


Tuesday, November 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Registration has ended. Please browse courses for future offerings of this course.

$135 (6 contact hours/ 0.6 CEUs)