AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR OFFICE MANAGERS IN ENHANCING ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY

Effective communication is a vital component of administrative success in any organization, as it ensures smooth coordination of tasks, enhances workflow, and reduces errors in office operations. This study assessed the importance of communication skills for office managers in enhancing administrative efficiency, using the School of Business at Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State as the case study. The study specifically examined the types of communication skills commonly used by secretaries, evaluated their impact on administrative performance, identified the communication challenges faced in daily operations, and assessed the role of digital communication tools in improving job efficiency. The research adopted a descriptive survey design, and data were analyzed using simple percentage methods and presented in tables for clarity. The study was guided by Shannon and Weaver’s Communication Model, which highlights the importance of message clarity and feedback, and Fayol’s Administrative Theory, which emphasizes communication as a fundamental administrative function. The findings revealed that verbal and written communication significantly improve the job performance and teamwork of secretaries, and that communication tools such as emails and phones are frequently used in daily office activities. The results also showed that poor communication often leads to delays and errors, while a notable gap exists in the formal training of secretaries on effective communication techniques. Additionally, most secretaries agreed that regular communication with supervisors enhances task clarity, though a few respondents reported inconsistencies in supervisory communication. The study concludes that strong communication competencies are indispensable for enhancing administrative efficiency. It recommends that the institution should implement regular communication training programs, improve supervisory engagement, and fully integrate modern communication tools to optimize the performance of office managers and secretaries.