We frequently make recommendations about matters of communication in the sustainability project: annual employee evaluations, staff meetings, and unfortunately sometimes, even staff terminations. It's definitely a skill to effectively communicate as a program manager; it's an even greater skill to effectively deliver bad news within that role. So I was thrilled to run across this fantastic guide written by CIGNA in 1996 (and more recently updated by the United Way of Chicago): A Manager's Guide to Communication (PDF). There's so much great information in this relatively brief document, but it's the sections under Dealing With Bad News that I particularly love. Plus it has a whole strategy section that has things like checklists for holding effective meetings and brainstorming sessions.
 
[A Manager's Guide to Communication via the Corporation for National & Community Service's Resource Center]