The importance of communicating effectively with your intern
Effective communication and clear expectations are crucial for any successful professional engagement, and this is especially true for internships. As an organization that provides internships, one of the most common comments we receive from our interns is the lack of clarity regarding their role responsibilities, deliverables, and expectations. This lack of clarity can have a direct impact on the quality and speed of their work, leading to a lower return on investment for the host organization. Furthermore, managers often report lower productivity and proactivity from interns when expectations are unclear. In this context, it becomes evident that setting clear expectations is essential for both interns and organizations to achieve their goals and maximize the benefits of the internship experience.
In addition to the lack of clarity affecting overall productivity, interns who are identified as shy or not proactive enough often provide feedback that they are unsure of their role or what is expected of them. This highlights the importance of providing clear guidance and expectations to all interns, regardless of their personality or communication style. By doing so, organizations can help interns feel more confident and engaged in their work, leading to a more positive and productive experience for everyone involved. Clear expectations can also serve as a foundation for constructive feedback and professional development, helping interns to identify areas for improvement and grow their skills throughout the internship.
Here are some steps you as a manager can take to communicate effectively:
Be clear about your objectives: Start by clearly defining your objectives and what you hope to achieve. Explain to your team members why these objectives are important and how they fit into the larger picture.
Set clear expectations: Once you have defined your objectives, make sure to set clear expectations for what you expect from your team members. This includes setting deadlines, outlining specific tasks, and providing any necessary resources or support.
Encourage feedback: Encourage your team members to share their feedback and ideas throughout the project. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
Provide regular updates: Keep your team members informed about the progress of the project and any changes or updates that may impact their work. This will help ensure that everyone is aware of what's happening and can adjust their work accordingly.
The effects of effective communication with interns and team members can be significant. When everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals, you are more likely to achieve your objectives and deliver high-quality work. Effective communication can also help build trust and collaboration among team members, leading to a more positive and productive work environment.
Here's an example of an effective brief that can help in setting clear expectations for an intern: A clear and precise brief has the following elements that will guide and set the expectations for all those working on a project:
Project description: Provide an overview of the organization and its mission and a clear description of the project.
Objectives and deliverables: Clearly outline the specific objectives and deliverables of the project. This can include specific projects, tasks, or goals that individuals will be working on, as well as any deadlines or milestones that need to be met.
Desired outcomes: for each individual and the project as a whole.
Key stakeholders: Who are the active team members that will ensure the project is completed? Who is needed for the project, and what level of information will they provide?
Key deliverables: Clearly define the expectations and responsibilities of the intern in their role. This can include information on how they should communicate with their supervisor and colleagues, as well as any specific policies or procedures that they should be aware of.
Research questions: What leading questions will be asked to get the project started and get the necessary information?
Data sources: Provide information on the resources and support that will be available; where is the information for this project coming from? How is it going to be utilized? These can include tools or software that they will need to complete their work.
Timelines: state the duration of each milestone within a project and the final due date of the overall project.
Learning objectives/performance evaluation: outline how the intern's performance will be evaluated and measured during their internship. This can include specific metrics or KPIs that will be used to assess their progress, as well as any performance review processes or meetings that they should be aware of.
By following a brief like this, organizations can provide clear expectations and guidance to their interns, which can help to ensure a successful and productive internship experience for everyone involved.
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