Communication in Organisations Flashcards
communication
the process by which information is exchanged and understood by two or more people, usually with the intent to motivate or influence behaviour
a model of communication
a manager who wants to communicate with an employee encodes a thought or idea by selecting symbols with which to compose a message. The message is the tangible formulation of the thought or idea sent to the employee, and the channel is the medium by which the message is sent. The channel might be a telephone call, an email message, a formal report or a face-to-face conversation. The employee decodes the symbols to interpret the meaning of the message. Feedback occurs when the employee responds to a manager’s communication with a return message
open communication
sharing all types of information throughout the organisation, across functional and hierarchical boundaries
centralised network
a team communication structure in which team members communicate through one individual to solve problems or make decisions
decentralised network
a team communication structure in which team members can communicate freely with each other and arrive at decisions together
circumstances in which email should not be used
- when you are angry
- when your message may be misunderstood
- when you are cancelling or apologising
- when you are rebuking or criticising
key points to persuade and influence others
- establish credibility
- build goals on common ground
- connect emotionally
communicating with candour
means being direct, honest, and clear about what employees need to do to meet objectives, while also expressing respect for others and not making people feel slighted, controlled or exploited
valuable techniques for communicating with candour
- use ‘I’ statements
- stick to facts rather than judgements
- be clear, specific and direct in your requests
benefits of asking questions
- asking questions builds trust and openness between managers and employees
- asking questions build critical thinking skills
- questions stimulate the mind and give people a chance to make a difference
listening
the skill of grasping facts as well as feelings to interpret a message’s genuine meaning
non-verbal communication
a communication transmitted through actions and behaviour rather than words
elements of workplace communication for managers to master
- using social media to improve internal and external communication
- using informal, personal communication channels
- establishing formal communication channels
- developing strategies or crisis communication
social media
a group of internet-based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content
applications of social media
- can be used to listen to customer
- can be used to communicate corporate news quickly to customers
- can be used to enable people to connect with one another easily across organisational and geographical boundaries based on professional relationships, shared interests, problems or other criteria
personal communication channels
communication channels that exist outside the formally authorised channels and do not adhere to the organisation’s hierarchy of authority