What’s Happening Hawthorne?!
meet the accounting team
Our Accounting Department is divided into several teams led by our Team Leaders, and we will be featuring each team over the next few series of newsletters.
We are excited to introduce our first team that serves 33 properties located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina. This team assists our site teams with accounting questions, processing payables/ managing cash positions, reviewing financials to ensure that they are complete and accurate, answering owner questions and completing quarterly and annual lender requests.
Their goal is to Live It for our team by learning with and challenging each other to be the best version of themselves, Live It for our sites by providing great support, and Live It for our owners by providing accurate and timely financials. They enjoy communicating daily with site teams and keeping up to date on site activities via social media.
Morgan Murphy
Accounting Team Leader
Fun Fact: I enjoy target shooting and learning new firearms. I attended a Military school where we wore uniforms daily and I would LOVE to have an HRP uniform.
Monteea Duncan
Property Accountant II
Fun Fact: Before starting my career in Accounting, I wanted to become an actress. I was always in plays in school and church, and I loved being in front of the camera. The love for being in front of the camera is still relevant today.
Robin Brown
Property Accountant
Fun Fact: I love to binge watch Grey’s Anatomy when I have the free time!
Mary Forman
Property Accountant II
Fun Fact: During Covid my husband (then boyfriend) and I developed a love of hiking, shortly followed by hiking to see waterfalls. We have currently visited 25 waterfalls, but our goal is to visit all of the waterfalls in NC which exceeds 1,000! In a few years, when we are empty nesters, this goal will become more achievable. This picture is from our hike to a smaller, more local waterfall at Hanging Rock Park.
Olivia Francis
Property Accountant II
Fun Fact: Growing up, all I would put on my Christmas wish list each year was a new James Patterson book. Reading has always been my favorite pastime.
training corner
We are very excited to announce our new Resident Services Career Progression Paths!
Our Training Department has been hard at work combining the best of the previous material from Grace Hill with a new and fresh approach using the UKG Learning Management System. The revised progression paths guide you through several modules that will prepare you for the next stage of your career like never before! With hands-on training, micro-learning tutorials, skill development, and practical application, you can feel confident that you will be equipped with the tools you need to transition successfully to a new role with Hawthorne.
Team members who progress through their career paths display the initiative, drive, and determination to create value to their communities. Those who have successfully completed these paths are equipped with the essential skills and abilities needed when a position becomes available and they are, quite often, the first candidates considered for promotion.
The new Resident Services Career Paths are for Resident Services Technician II, Resident Services Technician III, and Resident Services Supervisor
Some of the skills you will learn in these career paths include:
• Resident Services Technician II Career Path:
o Preparing Move-In Ready Units
o Performing Emergency Service Requests
o Fundamental HVAC Skills
o Essential Electrical Skills
o Critical Plumbing Skills
o Appliance Repair Skills
o General Maintenance Abilities
• Resident Services Technician III Career Path:
o Water Restoration & Repair
o Managing Move-In Ready Units
o Advanced HVAC Skills
o Pool Chemicals Proficiency
o Scheduled Maintenance Oversight
• Resident Services Supervisor Career Path:
o Managing Move-In Ready Units
o Managing Service Requests
o Expense Management
o Training RSTs
o Supervisory Skills
o Communication Skills
o Leadership Skills
How To Register:
1. Go to the employee portal homepage and click on the Career Progression Path icon.
2. Once the Training Department has verified your status, the new career path course will be assigned to you in UKG Learning.
If you have any questions about this new program, please email TrainingDept@hrpliving.com. We can’t wait for each of you to dig into this new content that will advance your skills and set you up for success with Hawthorne!
upcoming training schedule
November 2021
11/2: SAM Manual Orientation - Greensboro, NC
11/2: SAM Manual Orientation - Orlando, FL
11/3-11/4: Leasing School - (Virtual)
11/4: SAM Manual Orientation - Melbourne, FL
11/4: SAM Manual Orientation - Raleigh/Durham, NC
11/8: SAM Manual Orientation - Wilmington, NC
11/9: SAM Manual Orientation - Fayetteville, NC
11/10-11/11: Leasing School - Chattanooga, TN
11/11: SAM Manual Orientation - Charlotte, NC
11/16: SAM Manual Orientation - Cape Coral, FL
11/16: SAM Manual Orientation - Greenville, SC
11/17-11/18: Leasing School - Greensboro, NC
11/30: SAM Manual Orientation - Atlanta, GA
December 2021
12/1: SAM Manual Orientation – Atlanta, GA
12/2-12/3: Live It! Leadership – Greensboro, NC
12/8-12/9: Leasing School – Orlando, FL
12/15-12/16: Leasing School – Greensboro, NC
resident services corner
You put water in golf cart batteries? When? How much? What kind?
Most communities have one or more golf carts that require reoccurring maintenance. One of the most common maintenance items are the golf cart batteries.
When should I add water to batteries?
Water is lost during charging. Therefore, it is recommended that batteries are checked once a week. The best time to water your batteries is always at the end of the charge cycle. However, if the electrolyte level is extremely low or the plates are exposed to air, add some water to cover the plates before starting the charge cycle.
How much water?
Add water, never acid, to cells (distilled water recommended). DO NOT OVERWATER. For fully charged standard deepcycle batteries, add water to the level of 1/8 below bottom of vent well (see diagram A below). For fully charged batteries, add water to the maximum water level indicator (see diagram B below).
If the batteries are discharged, only add water if the plates are exposed. Add just enough water to cover the plates, then charge the batteries. Once fully charged, add water to the proper level indicated above.
After watering, secure vent caps on batteries.
Do you ever add acid to a battery?
Under normal operating conditions, you never need to add acid. Only distilled, deionized, or approved water should be added to achieve the recommended levels mentioned. When a battery is shipped in a dry state or accidental spillage occurs, electrolyte should be added to the battery. Once filled, a battery should only need periodic water addition.
What are common mistakes made by lead acid battery owners?
Undercharging: Generally caused by not allowing the charger to restore the battery to full state of charge after use. Continually operating the battery in a partial state of charge or storing the battery in a discharged state results in the formation of lead sulfate compounds on the plates. This condition is known as sulfation. Both of these conditions reduce the battery’s performance and may cause premature battery failure. Undercharging will also cause stratification.
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
resident services corner cont.
Overcharging: Continuous charging causes accelerated corrosion of the positive plates, excessive water consumption, and in some cases, damaging temperatures within a lead acid battery. Deep-cycle batteries should be charged after each discharge of more than 50% of the batteries rated capacity, and/or after prolonged storage of 30 days or more.
Under-watering: In deep-cycle, lead acid batteries water is lost during the charging process. If the electrolyte level drops below the tops of the plates, irreparable damage may occur. Water levels should be checked and maintained routinely.
Over-watering: Excessive watering of a battery results in additional dilution of the electrolyte, resulting in reduced battery performance. Additionally, watering the battery before charging may result in electrolyte overflow and unnecessary additional maintenance.
Lead Battery Alternatives
Lithium Batteries provide up to 2 times the run time and can last up to 4 times longer. Lithium batteries additionally require no maintenance and can charge 5 times faster than lead batteries. The best part is a set of lithium batteries can weigh as little as a 1/4 of a traditional lead battery allowing you to cut up to 300 pounds off the cart.
How to Clean Corrosion
1. Remove the battery terminal
2. Check for damage to battery and cables
3. Items needed: toothbrush, water, baking soda, steel wool, cloth/towel for drying, lithium grease
4. Mix small amount of water and baking soda in small dish
5. Apply to white substance with toothbrush and scrub thoroughly - Don’t forget the cable terminal ends
6. Dry everything with towel
7. Add lithium grease to terminals and clamps
8. Reconnect battery terminals
hr happenings
EMERGENCY ROOM VS URGENT CARE
An accident or the sudden need for medical attention can interrupt your day without warning. Worrying symptoms can appear at times when your doctor isn’t available. These situations are stressful and it’s hard to think when you’re under stress. But you need to decide where to go to get medical care for yourself or a loved one. Understanding the levels of acute medical care before you need it can help you focus and get the appropriate help quickly.
You have plenty of options for acute medical care.
Most everyone is familiar with the traditional hospital ER. But there are other options for immediate medical needs. One trend on the increase is retail health clinics in your local pharmacy. Another choice is an urgent care center, which is a cross between an ER and a clinic. You’ll see a doctor at either an ER or an urgent care center, but each level excels at meeting different healthcare needs.
Go to the ER if your situation is a true emergency.
A hospital ER—or dialing 911—is the only place to go for life-threatening symptoms or situations:
• Heart attack symptoms including chest pain, trouble breathing, and clammy skin
• Stroke symptoms including trouble speaking or understanding speech, or sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg
• Severe trauma including head injury
• Severe bleeding, or bleeding that doesn’t stop with pressure after about five minutes
• Loss of consciousness
Don’t go to either an urgent care center or a clinic for these conditions. They will send you to the ER or call 911 for you. If you are in doubt, err on the safe side and head to the nearest hospital. Consider an urgent care center for situations that are not life threatening.
Urgent care centers can handle a variety of situations that are not life threatening:
• Animal bites
• Broken bones
• Coughs, sore throats, high fevers, and flu
• Cuts that require stitches
• Earaches and sinus pain
• Eye problems
• Minor burns
• Minor headaches or breathing problems
• Rashes and skin problems
• Sports injuries
• Urinary tract infections
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach or belly pain
These centers can take X-rays and perform minor procedures, such as removing a foreign object from the eye or stitching a cut. Retail health clinics can also care for many of these situations. But they aren’t equipped to handle broken bones, X-rays or stitching cuts and other wounds. Think of a retail clinic as a doctor’s office that takes walk-ins and is open extended hours.
You will spend less time in an urgent care center.
It’s true an ER can handle all the same things an urgent care center can. But you will spend significantly more time waiting and receiving treatment in an ER. ERs have a five-tier triage system to make sure the sickest patients get care immediately. The median wait time to see a doctor in a U.S. ER is about 30 minutes. And the less urgent your situation, the longer you’ll likely wait. The median treatment time is 90 minutes. In contrast, most urgent care centers have patients in and out the door in 60 minutes or less. This includes wait time and treatment time.
You will spend less money in an urgent care center.
Time isn’t the only thing you’ll save by choosing an urgent care center. The average cost of an ER visit is about $1,300 to $1,400. But many urgent care visits cost an average of $150.
If you have insurance, you’ll see a difference in your copay and other out-of-pocket expenses. Your copay at an urgent care center will likely be higher than seeing your doctor, but it’s likely to be a fraction of the copay for an ER visit. Insurance plans may have other restrictions for ER visits. You may need to meet a deductible or pay co-insurance. Know what your plan covers before an emergency happens.
You will get quality care at an urgent care center.
The doctors and nurses who staff urgent care centers are dedicated medical providers. In fact, 97% of urgent care staff work full time at the center. And 70% of urgent care doctors are board certified in either family medicine or emergency medicine. An added benefit is these doctors are available to see you without an appointment. Most centers are open an average of 13 hours per day, seven days a week. It’s a good idea to program the name and location of your preferred urgent care and hospital ER in your phone so you are prepared in case of emergency. You may also want to post the same information on your refrigerator or other common area of your house.
Gary Triplett GETTING TO KNOW
VP of Corporate & Resident Services
1. Time with HRP? 10 months.
2. What do you love most about HRP?
The people. I am sure that it sounds cliché, but I am lucky to work with amazing people that make each day wonderful. The people here truly embody our Live It! culture.
3. What do you do outside of Hawthorne?
I enjoy traveling with my wife and son, pulling for my Tar Heels, cooking on the grill, everything Apple and watching a good movie.
4. If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?
1. World peace
2. To be as good as Amy Small with Excel spreadsheets
3. A place to get away at the beach
risk management policy update
We have a responsibility to ensure that we respond quickly and appropriately in the event of a life safety event to minimize safety risks as much as possible. Updates have been made to the Emergency Procedures Manual covering the below topics. These are important procedure and policy changes that you should read thoroughly and ensure every team member is informed.
The Emergency Procedures Manual can be found on the UKG Portal in the content library.
1. Crisis Response Plan – details the step-by-step action plan in the event of crisis and provides guidance on how to recognize a crisis event
2. Media Policy – provides detailed guidance on how to respond to media inquiries
3. Incident Reporting – defines an incident and protocol for action to take when an incident occurs
4. Employee Injuries and Workers’ Compensation – provides guidance on who to contact in the event of an employee injury
5. Security Services – guidance regarding starting and stopping security services at a property
6. Criminal Activity - guidance on action to take when criminal activity occurs at your property
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021
employee promotion spotlight
Name Promotion From Promoted To
Regional Support Supervisor
Resident Services Technician III
Property Accountant II
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Resident Services Technician III
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Resident
Resident Services Technician III
Director of Corporate Services
Assistant Community Manager
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Resident Services Technician III
Resident Services Technician II
Resident
Regional
Resident Services Supervisor
Assistant
Resident
Resident
Community Manager
Assistant
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Resident Services Supervisor
Resident Services Technician III
Resident Services Technician III
Name Promotion From Promoted To
Jose
Kaila
Kaleigh
Resident Services Technician I
Resident Services Technician II
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Team Leader
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Community Manager
Resident Services Technician II
Community Manager
Community Manager
Area Manager
Groundskeeper
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Leasing & Live It! Specialist
Assistant Community Manager
Resident Services Technician II
Resident Services Supervisor
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Accounting Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Area Manager
Resident Services Technician III
Regional Marketing Specialist
Area Manager
Regional Manager
Resident Services Technician I
Leasing Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Community Manager
career path completions
AUGUST -SEPTEMBER 2021
Employee Path From Path to Community
Brittanie Arriel
Emma Martinez
Jenni Hall
Kaila Edwards
Kassidy Zacek
Mary Oh
Parker Hegarty
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Community Manager
Leasing & Live It Specialist
Leasing & Live It Specialist
Leasing & Live It Specialist
Community Manager
Community Manager
Community Manager
Regional Support Manager / Area Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Assistant Community Manager
Regional Support Manager / Area Manager
Millis and Main
Hawthorne at the Hall
Village Lofts
Main Street Square
Meridian at Harrison Pointe
University Hill
Corporate
high roller achievements
August - September 2021
Hawthorne High Rollers is a leasing reward program designed to encourage exceptional leasing results by providing a bonus program that increases recognition and compensation for sales ability.
Employee Community High Roller Status
Amanda Taylor
Audri Cantu
Brittanie Arriel
Chelyn Mullet
Ciara Traughber
Dana Davis
Desiree Lee
Erin Lapos
Giovanni Atkins
Haleigh McClure
Hannah McNiece
Jordan Hodges
Jose Rigores
Kassidy Zacek
Kelli Brain
Leanne King
Linda Vo
Natalie Kayser
Nick Hester
Samantha Kelly
Skylar Shelton
Tacia Jaime
Landmark
Hawthorne at Victoria
Millis and Main
West End at Fayetteville
Autumn Winds
Avenues of Kennesaw
Hawthorne at the Ridge
The Newton
Hawthorne at the Pointe
Jamestown Commons
18 Watercress Green
Hawthorne Park South
Avenues of Baldwin Park
Meridian at Harrison Pointe
Park Village
Stallings Mill
Reserves of Melbourne
Hawthorne at Weaverville
Deerbrook
Park at Laurel Oaks
Hawthorne at the Summit
Hawthorne at Mills Gap
Ace
Hot Shot
Ace
Scholar
Scholar
Jack Pot
Scholar
Ace
Scholar
Hot Shot
Hot Shot
Jack Pot
Scholar
Scholar
Ace Scholar
Elite
Ace
Scholar
Ace
Scholar
Hot Shot
quarterly reports
2021 - QUARTER 2
Back
Door Closers - Top 10 Lowest
Annualized Turnover - thru March
Property
Willow Creek
South Main
Four Seasons Town Homes
Hawthorne at the Glen
Hawthorne at Wisteria
Deerbrook Apartments
Yester Oaks
Midora at Woodmont
Mission Triangle Point
Hawthorne at Haywood
Soar High Club - Highest
Positive
NCI to Budget - Q2
Property
Lakehurst Apartments
Hawthorne at the Hollow Bristol Park
The Summit on 401 Legacy at Lake Charles Hawthorne at the Hall
Hawthorne at Bear Creek Legacy at 2020 Malabar Lakes Douglas Square
Show Me The Money - Average Delinquency Under 2% - Q2
Property
Piedmont Place
Brookefield Apartments
Amberleigh Ridge
Hawthorne at Victoria
Waterford
Grove at Park Place
18 Watercress
Austin Creek
The Reserve at Country Club
Hawthorne at the Ridge
Legends at Morganton Park
Hawthorne at the W 1287 Shoals
Property
Hawthorne Park South Landmark Apartments
Hawthorne at Lily Flagg
Hawthorne at the Summit Jamestown Commons
Grand View
Hawthorne at Friendly Autumn Pointe
Hawthorne at the Carlyle Trellis Pointe
quarterly reports
2021 - QUARTER 3 Soar High Club -
Back Door Closers - Top 10 Lowest
Annualized Turnover - thru September
Property
Willow Creek
Four Seasons Town Homes
South Main
University Hill
Wynslow Park
Avenues of Holcomb Bridge
Autumn Pointe
Austin Creek
Midora at Woodmont
Avenues at Steele Creek
Property
Plaza West
NCI to Budget - Q3
Brighton Park
The Summit on 401
Hawthorne at Blanco Riverwalk Hawthorne at Mirror Lake PH I & II
Pointe South Main
Creek
Show Me The Money - Average Delinquency Under 2% - Q3
Property
Piedmont Place
Amberleigh Ridge
Hawthorne
Property
Hawthorne at Friendly Jamestown Commons
Cottages at Watercress
Landmark Apartments
Hawthorne at the Carlyle
Hawthorne Waterstone
Brookefield Apartments
Hawthorne at Haywood
Hawthorne Park South
Legends at Morganton Park
What’s Happening, Hawthorne?! September-October 2021
hawthorne babies
WELCOME THESE NEW MEMBERS OF THE HAWTHORNE FAMILY
Jackson Coffey
Proud Parent: Autumn Coffey, Leasing & Live It! Specialist at Hawthorne at Leland
Autumn Coffey welcomed her baby boy, Jackson into the world over the last weekend of August. We are so excited for her and her new bundle of joy!
Raylan James Desselles
Proud Parent: Amanda Desselles, Accounting Manager at Corporate Raylan James Desselles was born July 8, 2021 at 4:07 pm. He weighed 9 pounds 2.4 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. Mom, Dad, and big sister Nola are so in love with this sweet little guy.
Everett Daisy
Proud Parent: Keri Goff, Community Manager at Hawthorne at Smith Creek
Everett Daisy is the sweetest baby girl! She has 2 teeth and is so close to crawling! She loves food and watching her brother and sister! Her giggles light up her parent’s hearts.
Ezekiel Jones
Proud Parent: Elizabeth Zvaigznite, Assistant Community Manager at Hawthorne at Mirror Lake
Ezekiel Jones was born on August 18, 2021. He is one month old, a redhead like his momma and a Cowboys fan like his daddy!
Rio Alexander Diaz
Proud Parent: Enrique Diaz, Resident Services Supervisor at Ascent of Palm Bay Rio Alexander Diaz was born on August 12, 2021, the day after his father’s birthday. He has two big sisters and a big brother. His hobbies are staying up all night and sleeping all day.
Sebastian Miller
Proud Parent: Breanna Miller, Assistant Community Manager at Hawthorne at Horse Pen Creek
Breanna Miller welcomed home her little boy Sebastian on September 27, 2021 at 1:10 am weighing in at 8 lbs 6 oz!
Savanna Bailey
Proud Parent: Lee Bailey, Regional Services Support at Corporate Baby Savanna Bailey was born September 28th, 2021 weighing 6 lbs 15 oz bringing mom and dad dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and endless love!
hawthorne’s furry friends
Chef & Bailey
Proud Owner: Rachel Rasberry, Community Manager at Brighton Park
Chief and Bailey are new to the Hawthorne Family sporting their new handkerchiefs!
Proud Owner: Kelly Lemmons, Assistant Community Manager at Hawthorne at the Meadows & Andrew Pace, Resident Services Technician II at Reserve at Greenwood
Hyde was born on August 19, 2021 and is a lab mix. He loves car rides, naps, and his Lamb Chop.
flip it & live it
Our teams walked in each other’s shoes on October 1st in our annual Flip It & Live It day! Office and Resident Services teams at each community switched roles for the day taking on specific tasks to gain a greater understanding of how each other contributes to the team.
Here are some of the tasks that were completed:
Resident Services Team:
•Take a prospect on a tour
•Conduct 3 prospect follow-ups
•Conduct 3 renewal follow-up calls
•Put together a complete resident file for a new move-in
•Process an application
•Generate a lease agreement
•Complete a market survey
Office Team:
•Complete thorough groundskeeping including emptying pet waste bins
•Clean breezeways
•Complete a make ready punch list
•Complete 5 work orders
•Complete scheduled maintenance on 5 apartment homes
•Schedule vendor services for a make ready apartment (paint, clean, clean carpet)
Check out our teams Living It for each other!
five star resident reviews!
HERE IS WHAT OUR RESIDENTS HAVE TO SAY.
Junction at Antiquity By: Verified Resident / Apartment Ratings
I did a three-month lease not knowing if I was going to stay. Just 3 days after moving here, I decided I loved it here and wanted to stay and I renewed my lease for another year. I will be renewing the longest lease when it’s time.
University Hill
By: Anastasia B / Google
I wish I wasn’t moving next year for work because I’d love to stay here for years to come! The amenities are awesome I had some friends over and we made pizza in the wood burning pizza oven outside, and when I called the front office to ask how to use it they gave me awesome detailed advice and even a pizza dough recipe. I’ve given my dog a bath in the grooming room, and everything worked really well and was clean. Talking about clean - the grounds here are always spotless and it’s so pretty to just walk around. The building itself is quiet and feels really safe. All of the features from the walk-in shower to the brand-new washer/dryer feel so luxurious. My apartment has quickly begun to feel like home and my dog Luca also loves it here. Every time I bring friends over, they comment on how cool this place is. And this isn’t even getting into how close it is to target and tons of other great stores and restaurants.
Hawthorne at Leland
By:Verified Resident / Apartment Ratings
Hawthorne at Leland Apts are wonderful. We came from Pacific NW and rented sight unseen. Very comfortable and excellent appliances, dog friendly, very clean and quiet, friendly residents and excellent management and maintenance. Pool is sparkling. Dog Park and great dog spa, great TV/ Wi-Fi lounges. We are in our 60’s but the residents are all ages and backgrounds. Everyone has been very friendly. You won’t find a better apartment complex anywhere around.
1287 Shoals By:
Kim Bouwman / Google
We moved to 1287 Shoals apartments in August, from Europe. Before we moved in, the staff was very friendly and helpful by phone to organize our move in. The apartment itself is amazing, very spacious, kitchen well equipped and very nice to have a private patio. The entire complex is very pretty and well maintained and there are great amenities. All in all, we could not be happier to live here, and we recommend this to everyone looking for a great place to call home.
live it corner
Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.
But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.
A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said.
We are at our best when we serve others. Be civilized.
-Ira Byock
It! It’s a daily commitment to our people, our industry and the thousands of individuals proud to call a Hawthorne community home.
WHAT’S HAPPENING HAWTHORNE?!
management corner
hr tips for managers
No matter who or what team you must address, the art of communication can be a daunting task. Here are seven steps to clear and effective communication for even the most difficult conversations.
1. Stay on Message
Be clear on exactly what ideas you are trying to express or the message you are trying to convey to the other person or group. What do you most want them to understand?
2. Make It a Two-Way Conversation
Try to really hear and understand where others are coming from. What are they trying to say? What messages are they trying to get across to you? Ask yourself, “Do I really understand them?” Pay special attention not just to what they are saying, but to what isn’t being said.
3. Making Sense of It All
Always ask yourself, “Does what I’m saying make sense? Does the feedback I’m receiving make sense? What is the perspective they are trying to get across? Does it make sense that they have this perspective?” When both parties in the conversation are truly able to say they understand or that “it makes sense,” clear and effective communication has been achieved.
4. You’re Responsible for Any Failure to Communicate
Remember, as the primary communicator you are 100% responsible for the other person’s understanding of the communication. In other words, if you don’t feel that you are being understood, you have not completed the job of communicating. You must re-communicate your position to ensure that you’ve been properly heard.
5. Can You Hear Them Now?
Do you really hear what others are saying? To really listen requires your full attention and being able to feed back to them exactly what you have heard them say.
6. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
An equally effective way to make sure others understand exactly what you are communicating is to ask them to repeat back their interpretation of what has been said or asked of them. In order to guarantee the results or reaction you want; you need to make sure that your audience can give you a clear explanation of what is being required of them.
7. Respect Your Audience as You Respect Yourself
To be a clear and effective communicator, you must first recognize that your message is not just about you or what you want. It’s about “what’s in it for the audience.” You must both believe in your message and sincerely care about the needs and the unique perspectives of those you are communicating to if you truly want to be heard. After all, they took the time and trouble to hear what you have to say, so it’s equally important to recognize and respect that we each have different perspectives based on our positions, motivations, and needs.
The benefits of clear communication are not hard to achieve as long as you keep your message simple enough to be understood, interesting enough to be remembered, and most importantly respectful enough of others to be respected. These tips will help you radiate executive presence both on the phone and in person, helping you to thrive as a Leader as you master the art of communication!
leadership corner
Embrace fear and fear it less.
Our keynote speaker at this year’s Regional Leadership Meeting, held in September, was Judi Holler. Judi is an author, speaker, podcaster, and improviser that helps teams think like improvisers so they can have more breakthrough moments – both personally and professionally. Judi’s unique style as an improv performer takes the principles of improvisational theater and shows you how to apply them in everyday life – inspiring you to embrace fear and fear it less!
https://learning.ultipro.com/academies/library2.php?acadId=246032399&id=3696089