Communication Strategies

As my first step, I would seek to analyse the qualities that I would expect of the professional to head this group. Recommending a new computer system would require teamwork and negotiation. I would therefore be highlight communication skills as key element to look for in the potential leader. The leader would be expected to exhibit assertiveness, open-mindedness, good communication skills and good control of emotions (Larson, n.d Marks, n.d). Proper qualification and experience in the field would also rank high on my list of items to look for. To increase our chances of getting the best information system in the face of fast-evolving technology, I would be in favour candidates whose papers show that they have been updating their knowledge in the field.

Having captured the qualities and qualifications expected of the potential candidates, I would design several tasks which would be engineered to lead to a diversity of ideas and which would require participants to debate among themselves and agree on the most appropriate solutions. The tasks would be totally unrelated to the task they are recruited for, and would require the candidates to explore a wide diversity of ideas. The qualified candidates would be given the tasks with directions to work together and advance negotiated solutions.  Unknowing to the candidates, some executives would watch the team and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the team-members.

The executives watching the candidates would report their assessment of the candidates, identifying the candidates who best matched the qualities expected of a leader. Candidates who exhibited ability to communicate with team-mates, open-mindedness, good control of temper, and assertiveness would qualify for the oral interview which would again test the candidates communication skills and confidence.