Communicating for Results Seventh Edition Cheryl Hamilton, Ph.D.

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 2 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication 6 Opening Quotation

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 3 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Obstacles to Communication Communicator anxiety Inadequate preparation Vague instructions Jumping to conclusions Bypassing Sexual harassment Communication technology

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 4 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication People With High Anxiety... Are perceived as less competent Are less likely to be offered an interview Make poorer impressions in interviews Hold lower status and lower paying jobs Experience less job satisfaction Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 5 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Communication Anxiety SituationalTrait Microsoft Image --anxiety caused by factors present in a specific speaking situation --internal anxieties an individual brings to the speaking situation Types include... Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 6 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Managing Situational Anxiety Prepare and practice! Warm up Concentrate on meaning Use a relaxing introduction Use deep breathing Use visual aids Microsoft Image

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 7 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Managing Trait Anxiety Use positive imagery or visualization> (Click for definition)

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 8 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Positive Imagery Defined “Creating a positive, vivid & detailed mental image of yourself confidently giving a successful presentation.”

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 9 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Managing Trait Anxiety (Con’t) Use your imagination See self as speaker you want to be Picture yourself being successful Remember: Words + vivid mental pictures + feelings = confidence Read a positive imagery exercise (p. 133) Use positive imagery or visualization

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 10 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Awareness Check Positive Imagery Exercise...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 11 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Systematic Desensitization Microsoft Image Another anxiety reduction method...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 12 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Cognitive Restructuring Microsoft Image Another anxiety reduction method...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 13 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Skills Training Microsoft Image Another anxiety reduction method...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 14 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Improving Instructions Begin with overall picture Use few words Make words easy to understand & specific Number or “signpost” objects or steps Use simple comparisons Use repetition Use good delivery techniques For clear instructions, follow these rules... “Project F” on p. 136

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 15 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Awareness Check Jumping to Conclusions Check answers at back of book

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 16 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Sexual Harassment Defined Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission or rejection... U.S. EECO, affects employment, --interferes with work performance, --creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 17 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Sexual Harassment Review organizational policies Project friendly but professional image Confront harasser in assertive manner Document incidents of harassment Report incident to supervisor Weigh consequences of further action Suggestions for handling it...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 18 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Sexual Harassment Quid pro quo Hostile work environment Previous definition includes two basic concepts... Microsoft Image -- promise of rewards (promotion or perks) or threat (loss of job) -- promise of rewards (promotion or perks) or threat (loss of job) --when conditions are “intimidating, hostile, or offensive” --when conditions are “intimidating, hostile, or offensive”

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 19 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication Videoconferencing Less emotion and conflict Participation more organized Decision-making equal to face-to-face Participation more equal Less satisfying than face-to-face Microsoft Image Characteristics of electronic meetings...

Copyright © 2005 Wadsworth 20 Chapter 6 - Overcoming Obstacles to Organizational Communication ... Don’t send when angry Don’t write what you don’t want published Realize is not private Plan what you say—no flaming arrows Respond in same sensory channel as sender Microsoft Image

Organizations & CNN Today: Human Communication, V.3