02 el bus_comm_ch_02
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Transcript of 02 el bus_comm_ch_02
Breaking barriers:communication in practice
Identifying barriers
Communication is about overcoming barriers.
State all the barriers that you can think of that impact on your day-to-day communication.
Table 2.1 Common barriers to communication: probing for ‘causes’
Common barriers to communication:Apparent ‘cause’ Practical Example
Physiological Message in an internal report not received due to blindness.
Psychological Message from external stakeholder ignored due to ‘groupthink’
Cultural Message from organisation misinterpreted by members of a particular group
Political Message from internal stakeholder not sent because individual is marginalised
Economic Message not available to a public sector organisation due to lack of resources
Technological Message not delivered due to technical failure
Physical Message cannot be heard and visual aids cannot be seen by some members of the audience
Today’s Topics
1. Physiological barriers;
2. Social barriers;
3. Cultural barriers;
4. Ethical barriers;
5. Overcoming the barriers.
Physiological Barriers Physiological barriers to communication are those that
result from the performance characteristics and limitations of the human body and the human mind.
Figure 2.4 Human memory processes: a three-stage model
Human memory processes
Social, cultural and ethical barriers Social barriers to communication include the social
psychological phenomenon of conformity; a process in which the norms, values and behaviours of an individual begin to follow those of the wider group.
Cultural barriers to communication, which often arise where individuals in one social group have developed different norms, values, or behaviours to individuals associated with another group.
Ethical barriers to communication; these occur when individuals working in an organisation find it difficult to voice dissent, even though their organisation is acting in ways they consider to be unethical.
Excessive conformity e.g. ‘groupthink’
‘Groupthink’ is a term introduced by a North American psychologist, Janis (1982), to explain an extreme type of social conformity occurring within close-knit groups.
The symptoms of ‘groupthink’ (p.38)2. Collective rationalisation of the problem, which discounts negative feedback and neutralises problematic information
Cultural barriers Cultures shape the way we think and behave. They can be seen as both shaping and being
shaped by our established patterns of communication.
Nations, occupations, organisations, teams and other social groupings, all share a tendency to develop distinctive cultures.
Figure 2.5 The iceberg metaphor for culture
Source: http://www.indoindians.com/lifestyle/culture.htm
The iceberg metaphor for culture
Culture and environment
Where are they? What is above the
woman's head?
Robert Laws, a Scottish missionary working in Malawi, Africa, in the late 1800s: “The influence of culture and environment can have an effect on our visual perception. What you see will largely depend on where you live in the world.”
Barriers to ethical behaviour
Three communication-related barriers to ethical Behaviour in business organizations are: ‘moral silence’, failing to speak up about issues
that are known to be wrong; ‘moral deafness’, failure to hear or attend to
moral concerns raised by others; ‘moral blindness’, failure to recognize the moral
implications of actions.
(Bird 2002)
Ethical choice (1)
Your company has been a major employer in the local community for years, but shifts in the global marketplace have forced some changes in the company. In fact, the company plans to reduce staffing by as much as 50% over the next 3 to 5 years. The size and timing of future layoffs have not been decided, but a small layoff will certainly start next month. You are in charge of writing a letter on this issue. Your first draft is as follows:
“this first layoff is part of a continuing series of staff reductions anticipated over the next several years.”
Ethical choice (2)
Your first draft is as follows:
“this first layoff is part of a continuing series of staff reductions anticipated over the next several years.”
Your boss is concerned about the negative tone of the language and suggests the following sentence:
“this layoff is a part of the company’s ongoing efforts to continually align its resources with global market conditions.”
Do you think this suggested wording is ethical?
Ethical choice (3) “This first layoff is part of a continuing series of staff
reductions anticipated over the next several years.” (Too Negative)
“This layoff is a part of the company’s ongoing efforts to continually align its resources with global market conditions.” (Unethical)
The company should be as specific as possible without causing itself unnecessary damage.
“Unless business conditions change, we anticipate further reductions in the future, but we are currently unable to identify the timing or extent of such reductions.”
Overcoming Bias in LanguageExample Unacceptable Preferable
Gender bias Salesman Salesperson; Sales representative
Manpower Workforce; Workers
Man-made Artificial; Manufactured
Ethnic bias Jim Wong is an unusually tall Asian
Jim Wong is very tall
Disability bias
Crippled workers face many barriers on the job
Workers with physical disabilities face many barriers on the job
Overcoming the barriers
Taking the receiver more seriously Thinking more clearly about the
message Delivering messages skilfully
Focusing on the receiver Using multiple channels and
encoding Securing appropriate feedback
Summary
Communication failures are endemic, often resulting in significant costs and harm to the organisation and its stakeholders.
It is important to understand the underlying causes of communication failures, which may involve a range of factors: physiological, psychological, cultural, political, economic, technological and physical.
Summary (continued)
Communicators need a basic understanding of physiological processes including differences in alertness, selective attention, powers of perception and memory, and their potential impact on communication.
It is also important to consider social and cultural barriers, including a tendency towards excessive conformity in social groups (‘groupthink’), moral silence and the complex issues arising from cultural diversity.
Summary (continued)
In more general terms, barriers can be overcome by taking the receiver more seriously, and by thinking more clearly about the content, format and delivery of messages, including the use of multiple channels and forms of encoding.
Communication is important because it is about
how information is sent and received within firms
The way information is communicated is often governed by how firms are structured
COMMON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
1. SEMANTICS
Definition of words
Choice of words
COMMON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
2. POOR CHOICE, USE OF CHANNELS When to use certain channel
Oral alone:• Simple reprimand• Settle simple dispute
Written alone:• Don’t need immediate feedback• Need record
COMMON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
2. USE OF CHANNELS Both channels:
• Commendation• Serious reprimand• Important policy change
Nonverbal• Be aware of it.
COMMON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
3. PHYSICAL DISTRACTIONS
4. NOISE, PHYSICAL,
PSYCHOLOGICAL
5. STATUS DIFFERENCE
6. EFFECTS OF EMOTIONS
COMMON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
7. PERCEPTIONS Stereotypes Halo effects Selective perception
• See and hear what we expect• Ignore if conflicts with “what we know.”
Projection
COMMON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
8. FILTERING, SCREENING
NEGATIVE INFORMTAION
9. EVALUATING THE SOURCE
10.ABSENCE OF FEEDBACK, POOR FEEDBACK
COMMON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
11. INFORMATION, DATA
OVERLOAD
12. POOR LISTENING LISTEN TO RESPOND LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
TO OVERCOME BARRIERS:
Learn to use feedback well. Be sensitive to receiver’s point of view. Listen to UNDERSTAND! Use direct, simple language, or at least use
language appropriate to the receiver. Use proper channel(s). Learn to use channels
well. Learn to use supportive communication, not
defensive communication.
LISTENING WITH...
“EXPERIENCE”“WHAT WE KNOW”BIASESSTEREOTYPESPERCEPTIONSEMOTIONS
LISTENING
LISTEN TO RESPOND
LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
1. RESTATE/REPEAT
2. PARAPHRASE
3. REFLECT FEELING
4. PARAPHRASE CONTENT AND REFLECT FEELING
5. SAY NOTHING
LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
Before I can walk in another person’s shoes, I must remove my own.
Unknown
LISTEN TO UNDERSTANDASSUMES WIN-WIN
1. ASK PERMISSION
2. ESTIMTE TIME LIMIT
3. STATE BOUNDARIESSTATE WHAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
4. USE RESPECT, GENTLENESS
5. USE COURAGE
LISTEN TO UNDERSTANDASSUMES WIN-WIN
RESPECT
COURAGE
LOW
HIGH
LOW HIGH
X
LISTEN TO UNDERSTANDASSUMES WIN-WIN
BE DIRECTBE CLEARBE SPECIFICBE HONESTBE RESPECTFULBE TACTFULTAKE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR YOURSELF
LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
WHEN YOU ………………….. (State observed action.)
I FEEL …………………………(State feeling.)
BECAUSE I THINK …………..(Thought that causes the feeling.)
AND I WOULD LIKE ………..(Request for positive action.)
LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
When you meet me an hour after you said you would
I feel angry and hurt
Because I think you don’t care much about my job demands
And I would like you to call when you are going to be late.
LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
YOU’RE AN HOUR LATE!
YOU MAKE ME ANGRY!
YOU’RE ALWAYS LATE!
YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT MY TIME/FEELINGS!
YOU MAKE ME SICK!
NOT LISTENING?
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL RESPONSES:
PROBE
GIVE ADVICE
EVALUATE
INTERPRET
UNDERSTANDING? I KNOW WHAT YOU MEANKNOW WHAT I MEAN?I HEAR YOUI’VE BEEN THERE!YOU UNDERSTAND ME?YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO?I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.
“FIXING” = LISTENING?
“DON’T FEEL BAD.”
“DON’T CRY.”
“DON’T BE UPSET.”
“YOU SAY THAT BUT YOU ALWAYS DO WELL.”
Ten Rules for Good Listening
Rule Listening Reasoning Behind the Rule
1. Stop talking You cannot listen if you are talking.
2. Put the person at ease Help a person feel free to talk; create a permissive environment.
3. Show the person you Look and act interested; listen to want to listen understand, not to oppose.
4.Remove distractions Don’t doodle, tap, or shuffle papers; shut the door if necessary to achieve quiet.
Ten Rules for Good Listening
Rule Listening Reasoning Behind the Rule
5. Empathize Try to see the other person’s point of view.
6. Be patient Allow plenty of time; do not interrupt; don’t start for thedoor or walk away.
7. Hold your temper An angry person takes the wrong meaning from words.
Ten Rules for Good Listening
Rule Listening Reasoning Behind the Rule
8.Go easy on argument Don’t put people on the defensive and criticism and cause them to “clam up” or
become angry; do not argue- even if you win, you lose.
9. Ask questions This encourages a person and shows that you are listening; it helps to develop points further.
10. Stop talking This is first and last, because all other guides depend on it; you cannot listen effectively while you are talking.
Source: Adapted from Human Behavior at Work, Fifth Edition, by Keith Davis. 1977.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPPORTIVE COMMUNICATION
1.Channels Congruent. Incongruent. “Oh, do I Verbal and non-verbal seem upset? No, everythingchannels must agree. is fine” - while obviously
upset.
2.Descriptive. “This is what Evaluative. “You are happened and this is how I wrong for doing what you felt about it. I’d like to suggest did.”an alternative that would be more acceptable.
3.Problem oriented. “How Person oriented. “Whycan we solve this problem?” are you so slow?”
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPPORTIVE COMMUNICATION
4.Specific. “I felt like I did not Global. “You are alwaysget equal time to cover my seeking all the recognitionmaterial in that presentation.” for our work.”
5.Owned. “I have decided Not owned. “You have ato turn down your request pretty good idea, but youbecause…” know how it is in this
organization -- everyonecan’t get everything theywant.”
6.Validating. “That is an Not validating. “I can’t interesting suggestion.” believe you could think such
a thing.”
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPPORTIVE COMMUNICATION
7.Equality oriented. “I have Superiority oriented. some ideas, but do you have “Your suggestion is dumb. any suggestions?” This is the way to handle this
problem.”
8.Flexible. “I have some Closed-minded. “What-questions, but let’s explore ever made you think thatit further.” would work?”
9.Appropriately intimate. Overbearing or aloof.“Since we have known each “I know we just met, but Iother a long time, I’d like really need to tell youto tell you how I feel about something personal.”our relationship.”
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION STRUCTURE SHOULD FACILITATE, NOT
HINDER MANAGE INFORMATION FLOW CLIMATE INFLUENCES INTERGROUP INTERACTIONS, BARRIERS? USE GRAPEVINE
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
. . .
. . . ... .
Y WHEEL, STAR
CENTRALIZED
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
. .
. . . .
. . . .
CIRCLE ALL CHANNEL
DECENTRALIZED
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
SIMPLE TASKS
COMPLEXTASKS
SLOWLESS ACCURATE
FASTERMORE ACCURATE
CIRCLEALL CHANNEL
YWHEELSTAR
YWHEELSTAR
CIRCLEALL CHANNEL
Effective Communication
Overview
Functions of Communication The Communication Process Communication Fundamentals Key Communication Skills
Functions of Communication
Control Motivation Emotional Expression Information
The Communication Process
Receiver
Feedback
DecodingChannelEncodingSource
Communication Fundamentals
Direction: Downward Upward Crosswise
Networks: Formal vs. Informal
Communication Networks
Chain Wheel All Channels
Barriers to Effective Communication
Filtering Selective Perception Emotions Language
Key Communication Skills Listening Skills Feedback Skills Presentation skills
Basic Communication Skills Profile
________________________________________________Communication Order Learned Extent Used Extent Taught
____________________________________________
Listening First First Fourth Speaking Second Second Third Reading Third Third Second Writing Fourth Fourth First
Meaning
Listening Is With The Mind Hearing With The Senses Listening Is Conscious. An Active Process Of Eliciting Information Ideas, Attitudes And Emotions Interpersonal, Oral Exchange
Fallacies about Listening
Listening is not my problem! Listening and hearing are the same Good readers are good listeners Smarter people are better listeners Listening improves with age Learning not to listen Thinking about what we are going to say rather than listening to a speaker Talking when we should be listening Hearing what we expect to hear rather than what is actually said Not paying attention ( preoccupation, prejudice, self-centeredness, stero-type)
Listening skills are difficult to learn
Stages of the Listening Process
Hearing Focusing on the message Comprehending and interpreting Analyzing and Evaluating Responding Remembering
Barriers to Active Listening
Environmental barriers Physiological barriers Psychological barriers Selective Listening Negative Listening Attitudes Personal Reactions Poor Motivation
How to Be an Effective Listener
What You Think about Listening ?
Understand the complexities of listening Prepare to listen Adjust to the situation Focus on ideas or key points Capitalize on the speed differential Organize material for learning
How to Be an Effective Listener (cont.)
What You Feel about Listening ?
Want to listen Delay judgment Admit your biases Don’t tune out “dry” subjects Accept responsibility for understanding Encourage others to talk
How to Be an Effective Listener (cont.)
What You Do about Listening ?
Establish eye contact with the speaker Take notes effectively Be a physically involved listener Avoid negative mannerisms Exercise your listening muscles Follow the Golden Rule
Feedback Skills
Positive vs. Negative Feedback Positive feedback is more readily and accurately perceived than
negative feedback Positive feedback fits what most people wish to hear and already
believe about themselves Negative feedback is most likely to be accepted when it comes
from a credible source if it is objective in form Subjective impressions carry weight only when they come from a
person with high status and credibility
Developing Effective Feedback Skills
Focus on specific behaviours Keep feedback impersonal Keep feedback goal oriented Make feedback well timed Ensure understanding Direct feedback toward behaviour that is controllable by
the recipient
Group Think
Phenomena in which the norm for consensus overrides the realistic appraisal of alternative course of action
Presentation SkillsIdeas, concepts or issues talked about or spoken to a
group or audience
Public speaking is one of the most feared things “I could make such a fool of myself”
Skills required to give a good presentation can be developed
Preparation is the Key
Presentation Skills Preparation/ Planning is the first step on the ladder to
success
Aspects in the development of a good presentation Self Centered (Self) Audience Centered (Audience) Subject Centered (Material)
“I want (who) to (what) (where, when and how)because (why)”
Presentation Skills Helpers
What do you want to present (content)?Why do you want to present (purpose)?Where will you be presenting (place)?How do you want to present (words to be used or not,
slides to be used)Who is your audience?
Presentation Skills Preparation: Audience Analysis
What is the audience interested in What does the audience want What does the audience already know and needs to know What are their needs, expectations from this presentation How will the audience benefit from this presentation
Presentation Skills Structure the content in line with the
audience’s needs What do you want to tell the audience? What is your objective? Prepare keeping in mind the time allotted Anticipate the questions and prepare Collect material from a variety of sources Arrange points logically and sequentially Prepare handouts as well
Presentation Skills Structuring the presentation
2 to 2.5 mins--- opening/beginning
20 to 21 mins--- middle section
2 to 3 mins --- closing/end
5 mins --- questions
Presentation Skills
The Begining Should be carefully designed Get attention - shock, humour, question, story, facts &figures - well rehearsed yet natural Motivate audience to listen - listen to their needs
Presentation Skills
Preparation – Structure Sequence should be logical & understandable Interim summaries- Recaps Value of visual aids-flip charts, handouts etc.
Presentation Skills
Prepare Closing Last 2 to 2.5 minutes are as critical as the first five
minutes for a successful presentation Summarize- highlight important points Suggest action- what to do and when, where and
how to do it
Presentation Skills
Stage Fright Everyone has it to some degree Can be used constructively Key issue is not elimination of fear
Instead channel the energy it generates for an effective presentation
Presentation Skills
Effective Delivery Be active - move Be purposeful - controlled gestures Variations – vocal (pitch, volume, rate) Be natural Be direct – don’t just talk in front of the audience
talk to them
Group Facilitation
Verbal Communication- barriers Speaking too fast Using jargon Tone and content Complicated or ambiguous language Not questioning Physical State of the audience
Presentation Skills
Sensitivity to the audience
“see” the audience Take non-verbal feedback
-congruent and incongruent body language Modify to meet audience needs Don’t just make it as a presentation
Presentation Skills
Handling Questions
Do not get confused You are not supposed to know everything Anticipate and keep answers ready Sometime questions themselves give you a lead
to highlight your point of view
Presentation Skills
Visual Aids While using a over head projector face the
audience while talking Point with a pen Appropriate lighting Watch the colours Ensure clear visibility 10 lines, 10 words per line
Presentation Skills
So to conclude :
Always prepare
Channelize you fear
Interact with your audience
Business Communication
BTEC Business
Importance of Communication
Communication is important because it is about how information is sent and received within firms
The way information is communicated is often governed by how firms are structured
Forms of Business Structure
Entrepreneurial - decisions made centrally Pyramid - staff have a role, shared decision making,
specialisation is possible Matrix - staff with specific skills join project teams,
individuals have responsibility Independent - seen in professions where
organisation provides support systems and little else
Illustrating Structures 1
The Pyramid
Traditional view of organisations
Decisions pass down formal channels from managers to staff
Information flows up formal channels from staff to management
Illustrating Structures 2
Entrepreneurial
Most small businesses have this
structure
One or two people make
decisions
Great reliance on key workers
supporting decision makers
Quick to act but pressure on
decision makers
Decision maker
Key worker
Key worker
Key worker
Key worker
Illustrating Structures 3
Matrix
Marketing Production Finance
Project A
Project teams created
Staff with specialist skills
Project B
Illustrating Structures 4
Independent
Dr A Dr B
Dr CDr D
Support systems to professionals such as doctors
Not suited to most businesses due to
lack of control
More on Business Structure
Centralisation Managers keep control Decisions are made in the
interests of the whole business
Costs can be cut by standardising purchasing and so on
Strong leadership
Decentralisation Empowering and motivating Freeing up senior
managers’ time Better knowledge of those
closer to customers Good staff development
Channels of Communication
Communication in organisations follows paths or channels
Communication between managers and subordinates is known as vertical communication
This is because the information flows up or down the hierarchy
Vertical/Lateral Communication
Organisation chart shows vertical (black arrows) and lateral (green arrows)
Finance Marketing Production
Board of Directors
Finance Officers
MarketingAssistants
FactoryOperatives
Channels of Communication Channels between departments or functions involve
lateral communication As well as formal channels of communication,
information also passes through an organisation informally
Communication is not complete until feedback has been received
Overview Types of structures Contingencies of organizational design Organizational technology Organizational environment Organizational structure preferences
Defining organizational structure Organizational structure refers to the way tasks are divided up, how the
work flows, how this flow is coordinated and the forces and mechanisms that allow this coordination to occur.
The organizational chart cannot fully capture the organizational structure but gives us a place to begin when studying it.
Two fundamental requirements of an organisationalstructure
1. Division of labour into distinct tasks. Note that this leads to specialisation.
2. Coordination of that labour so workers are able to work in concert to accomplish the organisation’s goal-s. Coordination occurs through:
a. Informal communication b. Formal hierarchyc. Standardisation
Forms of work coordination Informal communication Sharing information High media-richness Important in teams Formal hierarchy Direct supervision Common in larger firms Problems − costly, slow, less popular with young staff
Standardization Formal instructions Clear goals/outputs Training/skills
Elements of organizational structure
Organizational structure elements
1.Department- alisation
2.Span of control
3.Formalisation
4.Centralisation
Structure in an Organization
Aspects of external communication