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Communications at Work

Communications at Work. The Glue, the Oil or the Lifeblood of an Organization. Communication. Defined as the transmission of information from one person or group to another person or group Communication is a fundamental and essential component of organizations

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Communications at Work

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  1. Communications at Work The Glue, the Oil or the Lifeblood of an Organization

  2. Communication • Defined as the transmission of information from one person or group to another person or group • Communication is a fundamental and essential component of organizations • Although neglected by much I/O research

  3. Communication is a process

  4. Quick Group • Looking at the model, where are places where the communication process can break down?

  5. Source Factors • Higher Organizational Status • More likely to be listened to • Credibility • Encoding skills • Ability to “translate” internal message to codes • Does someone tailor the message encoding to the audience

  6. Channel Factors

  7. What about Email as a Channel • QG: What are two advantages and two disadvantages to email as a communication channel?

  8. Media Choice: Choosing the Right Channel • Complicated, negative, and personnel communications should be on “richer” media • People don’t always do this, but they should • Can use lean media for complicated messages • ONLY if the organization promotes it as important

  9. More Communication Media Issues • FtF is important • Can share a lot of information quickly • More satisfaction at work • Computer communication • Reduces status differences • Distributes power

  10. Semantic issues in channels • Connotations of different words • “Good”: is it average or actually good? • Jargon • “Businessese”: to show “in group” from “out group” • Can be confusing

  11. Quick Groups • What jargon have you encountered at your work? • What advantages and disadvantages have you noticed?

  12. Audience Factors • Attention span and perceptual ability • Receiver’s relationship to the speaker • Higher receiver relationship more difficult • Decoding skills • Special case of bilingual decoders

  13. Nonverbal communication • Comprises a substantial amount of communication • Facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, body movements, posture, style of dress, touching and physical proximity

  14. Nonverbal Communication at work • Can substitute for verbal communication • Can enhance verbal communication • Can subvert verbal communication • What about email? • Pygmalion Effect • Nonverbals are very influential!

  15. Quick Group • How can nonverbal communication affect hiring decisions? • Turn in!

  16. Communication Flow • Communication moves • It’s not communication if you’re only talking to yourself

  17. Communication Direction • Downward communication • Instructions, information & feedback • Supervisors overestimate how much information their subordinates have • Including how to do their jobs • Downward communication important for job satisfaction

  18. Communication Direction • Upward Communication • Information for managers to make decisions • Complaints and suggestions • Performance feedback • Upward communication is often lacking

  19. Communication Direction • Lateral communication • Between people at the same level in the organization • Good for work coordination • Good for friendships • Same applies to “managing” up, down and sideways.

  20. Communication Networks • Systems of communication lines linking senders and receivers • Centralized networks • Information is centered in or directed through specific members • Decentralized networks • Communication can start anywhere and travel anywhere

  21. Communication Networks

  22. Centralized Networks • Chain • Traditional hierarchical model • Very slow • Very formal • Y • Similar to chain, but more “pyramid” like • Wheel • Higher status in the center • Communicating individually to lower level • Hopefully NOT telecommuters

  23. Decentralized Networks • Circle • People talk to two other people • information flows around • All-Channel • Everybody talks to everyone • Information can be quick • Power is distributed

  24. Head I Scty G A H VP B VP J VP F C D E K L VP VP Real Network

  25. Formal vs. Informal Communication • Organizational Chart • Lines of formal communication • Official communication goes through this

  26. Organizational Chart

  27. Informal Communication • Grapevine • Held together by friendships • Stronger if used more • Can be very efficient in transporting info • Can be important in increasing employee attachment • Rumors can be a problem though. • Sociogram • Like the previous communication network

  28. Communication Outcomes at Work • Issue is not just enough communication, but the right communication • Computer communication is changing organizations • Communicating up good for employee satisfaction (perceived control)

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