1. Chapter 10 Communication
Essentials of
Organizational Behavior, 10/e
Stephen P. Robbins & Timothy A. Judge
Chapter 10
Communication

2. After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
Describe the communication process and differences between formal and informal communication.
Contrast downward, upward, and lateral communication and provide examples of each.
Contrast oral, written, and nonverbal communication.

3. After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
4. What are the different methods of organizational communication. 5. Contrast formal communication networks and the grapevine. 6. Identify common barriers to effective communication. 7. Show how to overcome the potential problems in cross- cultural communication.

4. The Communication Process
ENCODING 编码 (Biānmǎ)
DECODING 解码 (Jiěmǎ)
CHANNEL is the method of communication like We CHAT or or face-face.
NOISE is anything that makes communication difficult like language barrier.
FEEDBACK - Was the message understood by the receiver.

5. Channels of Communication
Formal
Informal
Path follows the authority chain
Messages relate to professional activities
Spontaneous channels from individual choice
Messages often personal or social

6. Direction of Communication
Manager
Executive
Employee
Upward
Lateral
Downward

7. Interpersonal Communication
Three Forms:
Oral
Written
Nonverbal
Let’s look at each of these!

8. Oral Communication Advantages Disadvantages Speed Feedback
Simple to Correct
Disadvantages
Potential for a hard to understand message when passed through a number of people

9. Written Communication
Advantages
Disadvantages
Provide a record
Record can be stored for a long period of time
Available for later reference
More likely to be well thought-out, logical, and clear
Time consuming
Lack of feedback
May not be read

10. Nonverbal Communication
Body language conveys:
The extent of feeling for another
The relative perceived status between a sender and receiver
Meaning changes with:
Tone of voice
Facial Expression
Physical Distance

11. Methods of Organizational Communication
Formal Small-Group Networks
The Grapevine
Electronic Communication
Instant Messaging and Text messaging
Social Networking
Blogs
Video Conferencing

12. Formal Small-Group Networks
Chain gives best accuracy
Wheel facilitates leadership development
All-Channel provides member satisfaction

13. The Grapevine Happens when: Three Characteristics:
Situation is important
Ambiguity 歧义 (Qíyì)
(double meaning) exists
Situation causes anxiety
Three Characteristics:
Not controlled by
management
Perceived as being more believable and reliable
Largely used to serve self-interest of those willing to communicate

14. Electronic Communication
Instant and Text Messaging
Web Logs (Blogs)
Videoconferencing

15. E-Mail Limitations Easy to misinterpret
Should not be used for negative messages
Overused and can be too much
People might respond in ways they don’t want to emotionally
Privacy concerns

16. Instant Messaging & Text Messaging
Real-time (now)
Cheaper
Good for short messages
Can be annoying and distracting
May not be good for formal business messages

17. Social Networking Software
Explosive growth area.
Facebook® & LinkedIn ® and
We Chat
Individuals post information about themselves publicly – seen by:
Potential employers
Current employers
Police, federal agencies…

18. Web Logs (Blogs) Another public private space
Web sites about a single person or company usually updated daily
May be used to gather information from customers

19. Videoconferencing
Permits employees to conduct interactive meetings without being physically in the same room
Conserves travel funds
Becoming more accessible as costs drop

20. Knowledge Management
Process of organizing and distributing an organization’s collective wisdom so the right information gets to the right people at the right time
Needs a systematic approach

21. Barriers to Effective Communication
Filtering
Selective Perception
Information Overload
Emotions
Language
Communication Apprehension (what
do I do with this?)

22. Global Implications Cultural Communication Barriers:
Semantics – words mean different things to different people
Word Meanings – words mean different things in different languages
Tone Differences – in some cultures tone changes depending on context
Differences in Perception – different world views

23. A Cultural Guide Assume differences until similarity is proved
Emphasize description rather than interpretation or evaluation
Practice empathy – To understand people (“put yourself in the other persons shoes”)

24. Implications for Managers
Removing the uncertainty leads to greater satisfaction:
Communicate through multiple channels
Reduce distortion and things that don’t make sense for clarity
Use electronic media wisely and carefully
Cultural communication barriers can be overcome with understanding

25. Keep in Mind…
Each communication direction has its own challenge that must be overcome
Each form of communication has an optimal purpose and specific limitations – use appropriately
Communication barriers often slow down or distort communication

26. Summary
Described the communication process and distinguished between formal and informal communication.
Contrasted downward, upward, and lateral communication and provided examples of each.
Contrasted oral, written, and nonverbal communication.
Contrasted formal communication networks and the grapevine.
Identified common barriers to effective communication.
Showed how to overcome the potential problems in cross-cultural communication.

27. Sias OB Fall 2014
Team Charades

28. What you'll Need Blank pieces of paper Two teams
Have everyone on each team write down a name of an animal, or a sport, a superhero, a movie, a simple action, or a job, etc on blank slips of paper
Stopwatch or egg timer

29. Charades Teams Teams 1, 2 and part of 3 form one team
Teams 4, and 5 and other part of 3 form one team.
Each team come up with a name
Everyone should receive equal amounts of blank slips of paper.
Have the players write down ideas for the opposing team to have to act out.
The final score should be determined before the game. We often play to 10.

30. Now obviously you could write impossibily hard clues, but in the effort of fairness/fun, try to keep the phrases down to earth.
Each team place these slips in a hat (or other container), and
when everyone is finished, place the hat in front of the opposing team.

31. Next, determine a 'batting' order for the players on the team
Next, determine a 'batting' order for the players on the team. It is often easiest to just go down the line (if you are all sitting on a couch), or clockwise (if you are sitting in a circle).
Flip a coin to determine which team goes first.

32. A player from that team should stand up and act out the clue
A player from that team should stand up and act out the clue. If the team can correctly identify the clue within the time limit (30 seconds) they get a point.
After the time is up, or the clue has been guessed, the next team goes, and you simply repeat from there till the final score is reached.

33. How to Act Out a Charades Phrase
When acting out a clue, a player must get the other players to guess what phrase, or action, etc they have without making any sounds, or saying any words.

34. Charades Gestures/Signs
Hold up the number of fingers for the number of words
The player from each team can help push the guessers into the right direction by using some standard gestures for categories.
Book - Unfold your hands as if they were a book.
Movie - Pretend to crank an old-fashioned movie camera.
Play - Pretend to pull the rope that opens a theater curtain.
Song - Pretend to sing. (but don't make any noise!!)
TV - Draw a rectangle to outline the TV screen.
Quote or Phrase: Make quotation marks in the air with your fingers.

35. Now go play!