Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Scribd
Upload
3 views

Week 1 - Understanding Communication(1)

The document discusses the importance of effective communication in organizations, highlighting poor written communication as a major source of employer dissatisfaction. It outlines the components of communication, types of communication, directions of communication, barriers to effective listening, and tips for improving both listening and nonverbal skills. The content emphasizes that successful communication is essential for achieving organizational goals and maintaining a cohesive work environment.

Uploaded by

danielkraidan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

Week 1 - Understanding Communication(1)

The document discusses the importance of effective communication in organizations, highlighting poor written communication as a major source of employer dissatisfaction. It outlines the components of communication, types of communication, directions of communication, barriers to effective listening, and tips for improving both listening and nonverbal skills. The content emphasizes that successful communication is essential for achieving organizational goals and maintaining a cohesive work environment.

Uploaded by

danielkraidan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Understandin

g
Communicati
on

Rachelle Askar
Understanding Business Communications
• Poor written communication skills are the leading
source of dissatisfaction that employers have about
their employees.

• Communication in Organizations

Communication is necessary if an

organization is to achieve its goals.

2
The Components of Communication
Communication is the sending and receiving of verbal
and nonverbal messages.

There are FIVE components to communication:

1. The stimulus

2. The filter

3. The message

4. The medium

5. The destination
3
The stimulus

An event that creates within an individual the need to communicate.

The filter

Once the brain receives the message, it decodes it and decides how to
respond. Based on individual experiences, culture, emotions at the
moment, personality, knowledge, socioeconomic status…

The message

An encoded (formulated) verbal or nonverbal response to a stimulus.

Success of the message depends on: the purpose and content of the
message
4
The medium

The means of transmitting the message.

Oral – meetings, conferences, phone conversations, voice mail, gossip…

Written – memo, report, brochure, board notice, e-mail, newsletter, policies


manual…

Nonverbal – facial expressions, gestures, body movements.

The destination

Where the message is going.

Feedback is the response to a message once it reaches its destination. It is


the reaction which may lead to more communication.
5
Types of Communication
What are the most common forms of written and oral communication???

Oral Communication

One of the most common functions in business.

Allows for immediate feedback and more ways to get your message across.

Written Communication

More difficult than speaking - one chance to get your message across
correctly.

The sender does not have the advantage of immediate feedback and verbal
clarifications or nonverbal clues.

Major source of documentation: a permanent record for all to refer to in the


future in case of forgetfulness or dispute. 6
Directions of Communication
A. The Formal Communication Network

• Downward Communication – from superiors to subordinates (problem


is that management assumes that the message sent has been received
and understood, which is not always the case)

• Upward Communication – from subordinates to superiors ( important


because it provides upper management with necessary information for
making decisions)

• Horizontal Communication – among people at the same level in the


organization (very important to create a cohesive work unit)

• Cross Channel Communication – among people in different


departments within the same organization ( usually used by HR) 7
B. The Informal Communication Network

Grapevine: the transmission of information through non-official


channels within the organization (gossip, conversations…)

Characteristics of the Grapevine:

Accurate – 80% of info is accurate

Pervasive – exists at all levels of the organization

Fast – rapid spread of news

Active – very active when change is taking place

Normal – necessary for every organization

8
Barriers to Effective Listening

Barriers and noise can interfere with the communication process.

• Physical barriers: include hearing disabilities, poor acoustics, and noisy

surroundings.

• Psychological barriers: a different set of cultural, ethical, and personal

values.

• Language problems: unfamiliar words can destroy the communication

process because they lack meaning for the receiver. 9


• Thought speed: we can process thoughts more than three

times faster than speakers can say them.

• Nonverbal distractions: unusual clothing, speech mannerisms,

body twitches, or a radical hairstyle can cause enough distraction.

• Faking attention: most of us have learned to look as if we are listening

even when we’re not.

• Grandstanding: we sometimes fail to listen carefully because

we’re just waiting politely for the next pause so that we can have our
10
Tips for Becoming an Active Listener

 Stop talking. Let others explain their views.

 Control your surroundings. Whenever possible, remove competing

sounds.

 Establish a receptive mind-set. Expect to learn something by

listening.

 Keep an open mind. We all sift and filter information through our own

biases and values.

 Listen for main points. Heighten your concentration and satisfaction 1 1


 Capitalize on lag time: anticipate what’s coming next.

Evaluate evidence the speaker has presented.

 Listen between the lines: Focus both on what is spoken as well as what is

unspoken. Listen for feelings as well as for facts.

 Judge ideas, not appearances: concentrate on the content of the message, not

on its delivery. Avoid being distracted by the speaker’s looks, voice, or mannerisms.

 Hold your fire: force yourself to listen to the speaker’s entire argument or

message before reacting. Understand the speaker’s reasons and logic before you

jump to false conclusions.

12
Tips for Improving Your Nonverbal
Skills

Follow the following tips for improving nonverbal communication skills:

Establish and maintain eye contact. It signals interest, attentiveness,


strength, and credibility.
Use posture to show interest. By leaning forward, sitting or standing
erect, and looking alert.
Improve your decoding skills. Watch facial expressions and body
language to understand the complete verbal and nonverbal messages being
communicated.

Probe for more information. When you perceive nonverbal cues that
contradict verbal meanings, politely seek additional cues
Avoid assigning nonverbal meanings out of context. Ask for details. 1 3
Associate with people from diverse cultures. Learn about other
cultures to widen your knowledge and tolerance of intercultural
nonverbal messages.

Appreciate the power of appearance. Keep in mind that the


appearance of your business documents, your business space, and
yourself sends immediate positive or negative messages to receivers.

Observe yourself on videotape. Ensure that your verbal and


nonverbal messages are in sync by taping and evaluating yourself
making a presentation.

Enlist friends and family. Ask them to monitor your conscious and
unconscious body movements and gestures to help you become a
14
Questions?

15

You might also like