The document provides instructor aids on effective communication for leaders, including types of communication, challenges with each type, and how to overcome those challenges. It discusses telephonic, face-to-face, meeting, written, social networking, and text/instant messaging communication. An example scenario outlines assigning a team the task of creating a presentation on support services for families during deployment, including setting a purpose, methods, and desired end state.

1. Army Family Team Building Leadership Development
L.3 Effective Communication for Leaders
FY13 Instructor Aids
INSTALLATION MANAGEMENT COMMAND - FAMILY PROGRAMS
Effective Communication
for Leaders
Instructor Aids
Army Family Team Building Program
Leadership Development
FY13

2. Army Family Team Building Leadership Development
L.3 Effective Communication for Leaders
FY13 Instructor Aid 1.1
Types of Communication
Type of
Communication
Challenges How to Overcome
When Best
Used
Telephonic
o May not be able to hear
or understand the person
clearly
o Unable to read non-
verbal cues such as body
language and facial
expressions
o Possible bad connections
or dropped calls
o Ask questions to
verify understanding
o Follow up with email
or some type of
confirmation of what
was discussed
o Utilize video
conferencing when
available
o When
participants
cannot get
together in
person
o For clear
directions
o Follow-up
o Check-in to
ensure work is
on track
o With those
who are
uncomfortable
utilizing
technology
Face-to-Face
o May not have time to
think about answers
o Can take more time
o Allot time
o Let the person you
are meeting with know
specific amount of
time you have to
spend
o Make regular eye-
contact
o Watch your own non-
verbal cues
o When you
need to make
sure the
receiver
understands
what you are
saying
o When there is
a task for one
person.
o Cultural
differences
that cause
misunderstand
ings
o Issue with
member of the
team

3. Army Family Team Building Leadership Development
L.3 Effective Communication for Leaders
FY13 Instructor Aid 1.2
Meeting
o Can easily get off topic
o Can miss non-verbal
cues because you cannot
see everyone
o May take longer
o Group instead of
individual contact
o Have an agenda and
stick to it
o Provide tool such as
“parking lot” for side
issues
o Set specific amount of
time
o Assign duties to
members of the group
o Make regular eye
contact with each
member of the group
o Publish minutes and
action items
o Group decision
required
o Group buy-in
required
o Need to
distribute
duties and get
team working
together
o Update group
on progress of
team
members/
project
Written (E-mail,
letters, reports, etc.)
o Unable to read non-
verbal cues (body
language, facial
expression, tone of voice,
etc).
o Misunderstanding of
purpose
o Unable to obtain
immediate feed-back
o Not everyone reads
entire email
o Some people may not
have email capability or
may not check regularly
o Possible poor reading
skills
o Have someone read
your document before
you distribute or send
o Follow up with
additional types of
communication such
as telephone, text
messaging, etc.
o Be concise
o Communicate the
importance of reading
the entire document to
members of the team
o Ask for specific
feedback
o Specific
information to
share
o Official
documentation
required
Social Networking
(Facebook, Twitter,
etc.)
o OpSEC
o Unable to read non-
verbal cues
o Unable to obtain
immediate feedback
o Revealing personal
information
o Misunderstanding of
purpose
o Not everyone is
comfortable utilizing
o Possible poor reading
skills
o Plan before you post
o Verify information is
able to be posted on
social site through
security officer
o Follow up with
additional types of
communication
o Distribute
general
information
more social in
nature
o Reminders of
dates and
times
o Check-in to
ensure work is
on track
Text / Instant
Messaging
o Unable to read non-
verbal cues
o Misunderstanding of
purpose
o Limited amount of
communication space
o Not everyone is
comfortable utilizing
o Possible poor reading
skills
o Plan before you post
o Follow up with
additional types of
communication
o Reminders of
tasks /
meetings
o Check-in to
ensure work is
on track

4. Army Family Team Building Leadership Development
L.3 Effective Communication for Leaders
FY13 Instructor Aid 2
Task, Purpose, Method,
End State Scenario
Using the define task, purpose, method, and end state strategy, complete the following
scenario.
You are in charge of a team of 6 people. They have worked well together before. Each
offers a different strength to the team. Your boss assigned you to create a presentation
on what Family Members can expect during a deployment. She wants you to include
information on the other agencies on post that can help both Family Members and
Service Member during deployments. You have one week to get the presentation done.
It will be briefed to the garrison commander and later on to units’ Service Members and
their Families before they deploy.
What is the task? Create a presentation on what Family Members can expect during a
deployment
What is the purpose? To educate Family Members on services and agencies that can
assist them and their Service Member during deployment.
How will you disseminate the purpose to your team? Answers may vary. Possible
answers: Make sure the team understands they will need to create a PowerPoint slide
show and handouts that explain services offered by the different agencies on post.
Hold a meeting or email to communicate this to the team.
What methods will you employ to make sure the project is done in a timely
manner?
Answers may vary: May delegate directly or allow the team to choose areas to focus on
based on the individual team member strengths and interests. Set up a clear time line
and provide team members with the time line.
What is the desired end state of the project (i.e. how long should it be, which
agencies, etc.)? Answers will vary. Typical agencies will include all agencies within
Army Community Service (ACS); American Red Cross (ARC); Chapel; Child, Youth and
School Services (CYSS); Judge Advocate General (JAG) or Legal; Family, Morale,
Welfare and Recreation (FMWR); School Liaison Officer (SLO); etc.
How will you communicate effectively with your team while the project is
underway?
Use email or text messaging to remind of deadlines. Provide feedback to team
members regarding status and quality of the information. Check in with team members
on a consistent basis. Offer guidance as needed.