The Manager's Communication Toolbox

INTRODUCTION

When baseball scouts travel the world looking for young players who might become the all-stars of tomorrow, they evaluate their subjects in five categories: hitting for average, hitting for power, speed, fielding ability, and throwing ability. A player with outstanding ability in each of the five areas is called a “five-tool player.”

In the business world, above-average employees with leadership potential must be competent in five basic communication skills. Every leader, from the president of the United States to the assembly-line supervisor at an automobile plant, must be able to read, write, speak, think, and listen at advanced levels. By mastering these five communication skills, managers enhance their interaction with employees ...