Organizational Communication The most challenging task for managers

Organizational Communication  Studies show that managers spend over 70% of their time communicating  If this is so, why do most managers identify communications as their #1 challenge?  There is a big difference between doing it, and doing it well

Organizational Communication Organizational Communication:  Focuses on getting work done and meeting organizational goals  Focuses on change and adaptation  Focuses on social aspects and motivation of individuals

Organizational Communication Six Opportunities for Miscommunication  Role of the communicator  Variables: language, symbols, word usage  Channel used  Content  Characteristics of the sender and receiver  Context

Organizational Communication Do you hear what I’m saying?  Use of multiple techniques, leads to interference and misinterpretations  Influence tactics might affect what you hear  Symbols can interfere with what you hear  Nonverbal factors can interfere with what you hear

Organizational Communication Barriers to effective communications:  If HP only knew what HP knows, John Doyle, former head of HP labs  Ineffective communication skills  Negative attitude towards the situation  Information overload  Inconsistency with our frame of reference  Credibility of source  Physical location  Distractions  Defensiveness

Personal Communications Why focus on improving communications skills?  Employers list communication skills as a basic requirement and a primary flaw in candidates  Are you comfortable with your ability to communicate orally and in writing?  Do you know how to listen and if not, is this a problem?  Do you know how to give and receive effective feedback?