Communicating in Today’s Workplace

Communicating in the New Workplace Skills for Career Success Organizational Communication

Communicating in the New Workplace Skills for Career Success

Why You Need to Build Career Skills Strong communication skills are necessary for hiring. top skill set sought by employers. critical for promotion. essential for effective job performance. more important now as a result of technology. learned through instruction and practice.

Ensure Your Success as a Knowledge Worker In today’s Information Age, expect to work with words, figures, and data think critically make decisions take charge of your career continue learning all your life

Get Ready for Critical Thinking, Decision Making, and Problem Solving Identify and clarify Gather information Evaluate evidence Consider options Problem Test best option

Factors that Affect You in the New Workplace Heightened global competition Flattened management hierarchies Expanded team-based management Innovative communication technology New work environments Increasingly diverse workforce

© Jean-Louis Bellurget RF / Pixland / Jupiterimages Success for YOU in the new global and diverse workplace requires excellent communication skills! © Jean-Louis Bellurget RF / Pixland / Jupiterimages

Communicating in the New Workplace Organizational Communication

Organizational Communication Functions Internal External New emphasis Interactive Mobile Instant Forms Oral Written Delivery Electronic Hard copy

Communication and Formal Channels Written Memos, letters Annual report Company newsletter Bulletin board postings Orientation manual Oral Telephone Face-to-face conversation Company meetings Team meetings Electronic E-mail, Instant messaging Voicemail, Videoconferencing Intranet

Information Flow in Organizations - Formal Channels Downward flow Upward flow Managers Supervisors Subordinates Supervisees Coworkers Horizontal flow

Information Flow in Organizations - Formal Channels Managers Supervisors Subordinates Supervisees Job plans Policies Instructions Procedures Flows from decision makers to workers Downward

Information Flow in Organizations - Formal Channels Managers Supervisors Subordinates Supervisees Feedback Progress Problems Suggestions Flows from employees to decision makers Upward

Information Flow in Organizations - Formal Channels Horizontal flow Shared information to coordinate tasks, solve problems, resolve conflict Flows among workers at the same level Coworkers

Information Flows in Organizations - Informal Channels The grapevine, gossip from the break room to the water cooler Carries unofficial messages Flows haphazardly Can be remarkably accurate Is mostly disliked by management Thrives where official information is limited The drinking fountain is my photo.

Barriers to the Flow of Organizational Information Lack of trust, turf wars, fear of reprisal Uneven reward systems Closed communication climate Top-heavy organizational structure Filtering, prejudice, ego involvement Poor communication skills

Overcoming Barriers to Effective Communication Encourage open, trusting environment for interaction and feedback. Provide more information through formal channels. Train managers and employees to improve communication skills.

Overcoming Barriers to Effective Communication Flatten the organizational structure. Establish hotline and ombudsman programs. Establish fair reward system for individual and team achievement. Encourage full participation in teams.

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