In a previous blog, Communicate Upward, I discussed the need for upward communication and how to communicate upward.

In this blog, I discuss upward communication and how it improves our employees’ understanding and capabilities.

Upward Communication

Good upward communication needs to happen regularly (either daily or weekly depending on the capability of the employee) and it consists of a concise summary of the activities for the time period including:

• The progress of the work since the last communication
• The challenges encountered and overcome
• The current issues and challenges
• Upcoming challenges
• Need for additional tools, resources, and people to complete the work

For both the employee and the supervisor such a regular summary is vital.

For the Employee

• Requires the employee to step back and consider the issues, challenges, and progress – to see the forest for the trees.
• The act of speaking or writing out such a summary helps the employee understand the issues even better.  “We learn when we speak; we learn when we write.”
• Allows the employee to demonstrate their capability by discussing the challenges encountered and overcome.
• Prevents the employee from becoming buried by forcing them to request assistance as needed.
• Strengthens the employee’s ability to predict future issues and challenges; an essential skill as an employee moves up in an organization.

For the Supervisor

• Gives a succinct summary of activity and progress; saving time and reducing the number of check-ins with employees.
• Shows the employee’s understanding of their work and the situation.
• Shows the gaps in the employee’s understanding when an important issue or concern is not addressed.
• Enables the supervisor to assess their level of supervision – should they widen or narrow their guardrails on the employee?
• Allows for course correction and coaching and praise as the employee details their activity and progress.
• Gives the employee a feeling of greater autonomy and control, developing them into stronger, more independent, and capable employees.

Conclusion

We all need to encourage our employees to communicate upward regularly; it helps the employee; it helps the supervisor; it helps the company.