Communication cultures Flashcards
What is FORMAL communication?
types, advantages, disadvantages
formal communication usually has a written component or we have a record of it
- vertical communication - from top-down
- horizontal/lateral communication - between you and your peers, but usually informal
- diagonal communication - usually matrix structured companies, you can easily talk to anyone, don’t have to go through channels
(+) increase efficiency, coordination and accuracy (don’t have to worry about others feelings)
(+) discipline, orderly and fewer mistakes
(+) often documented for future reference
(-) can delay decision-making
(-) reduced initiative - ability to decide to do stuff
(-) cost
What is INFORMAL communication?
we use Informal communication to get things out of people, or build a community
- single strand chain (one-to-one): keep things down
- cluster chain (one-to-group): i tell a group and they tell their teams
- probability chain (at random): usually to people they don’t know
- gossip chain (group): gossiping, usually things you are not sure about
(+) faster
(+) creates/maintaines employee relationships
(+) alternative means - get things that you want
(-) lack of confidentiality - definitely tell someone else
(-) distortion and conflict - things change quickly
(-) rumors
Barriers to communication and examples
- cultural barriers
- linguistic barriers
- emotional barriers
- psychological and physiological barriers
- physical barriers
- organizational barriers
- attitude and personality barriers
- perception barriers
- technological barriers
- communication skills
Strategies to overcome barriers
Direct strategies:
- use simple clear language
- active listening
- managing emotional states
- increasing contact
Indirect strategies
- recruiting for communication
- induction and other training
- simplifying organizational structure
- changing appraisal methods
