COMMUNICATION IN

THE WORKPLACE

P R E PA R E D B Y C R E S E N C E S H I N E S . T R A J A N O
R E F E R E N C E M o s u r a , C a r m e l T. e t a l . , H u m a n B e h a v i o r i n
Organizations Chapter 11 Pages 206-22
 Discuss what communication is, its functions and
directions;

Assess the extent to which managers are involved

in the communication;

Assess and take account of the wide range of

potentials obstacles to effective communication;

Objectives Identify and apply the key requirements for

effective and oral communication;

Describe the ways in which national culture and

written communication.
What is communication?
• The process of sending and receiving messages in
order to share meaning.
• It involves two or more people interacting verbally
and nonverbally in order to understand each
other’s feelings, ideas, and attitudes.
• It is the sharing of information between two or
more individuals or group to reach common
understanding.
• The process of sharing information with other
individuals.
 Types of
communication

1. Interpersonal communication- managers 3. Public speaking- when you present an oral report, make office
must understand not only general announcements, or give a talk at a religious service.
interpersonal communication but also SIX REASONS WHY COMMUNICATION IS COMPLEX
characteristics of interpersonal
communications within organizations. 1. Communication is really more than speaking and listening
Organizational communication directly 2. Communication is transactional. Means that both communicators are often
relates to the goals, functions, and structure anticipating the message of the other person and adjusting the process.
of human behavior.
3. Communication involves sharing of meaning
2. Group or team communication- its
interaction among people who share an 4. Communications depends on feedback
interest in the same thing or share common 5. Communication is blocked by interference
purposes.
6. Communications occurs in a context
 Functions of
Communication
• Acts to control a member’s behavior
• Fosters motivation by clarifying to
employees what is to be done, how
well they are doing, and what can be
done to improve performance
• It provides the information that
individuals and groups need to make
decisions making.
• Good communications prevent s
many problems in organization
• Essential for socialization of
newcomers at all levels in an
organization
• Helps organization members
understand each other, and when
people understand each other
 • Verbal Communication Electronically Transmitted- this is over a
telephone lines
• Personally Addressed Written Communication- Such as letters and
memos that are addressed personally to the receiver are next in
Types of Formal information richness. (Ex. E-mail, g-mail, etc.)
• Impersonal Written Communication- this is used when a sender needs
Organizational to communicate with a large numbers of receiver simultaneously ,
such as when a company president wants to let all members of an
Communication organization know the rumors of an impending lay-off are unfounded.
• Computer Networks- efficient to communicate information to their
members as well as to provide members with easy access to
1. Downward communication- occurs when
superiors send messages to subordinates. information that they need to perform their jobs when they need it.
Comes from the higher levels to lower level • Teleconferencing- is a form of electronic communication that can
in the organization. overcome some of the disadvantages of electronic group meetings
2. Upward communication- refers to while still allowing group to communicate with each other when they
messages moving from subordinates to are hundreds or thousands of miles apart
superior.
3. Lateral- when the communication takes • Intranets- are internal corporate communications networks that use
place among members of the same group, the structure and standards of internet to allow employees of a single
among members of work groups at the firm to communicate and share information with each other
same level, … electronically.
The Communication Encoding is converting a communication messages to

Process symbolic form.

Channel is the medium through which the message

Before communication can take travels. It is selected by the source, who must determine
place, a purpose, expressed as a message which channel is formal and which one is informal.
to conveyed is needed. It passes between a
s o u r c e o r t h e s e n d e r a n d a r e c e i ve r.
The receiver is the object to whom the message is
directed.

Message can be received, the symbols in it must be

translated into a form that can be understood by the
receiver.

Encoder was limited by his or her skills, attitudes,

knowledge, and social-cultural system, the receiver is
equally restricted.

Feedback loop is the final link in the communication

process. Feedback is the check on how successful we
have been in transferring our messages as originally
intended
 2 Types of Interpersonal Communication

1. Non-Verbal Communication. It refers to gestures, facial

configuration, and other movement of the body. Messages
Interpersonal conveyed through body movements, the intonations or
emphasis we give to words, facial expressions and the

Communication physical distance between the sender and receiver.

2. Verbal Communication. Uses either spoken or written words
to share information with others.

A process of transmitting information to others. To

be complete, the process must have the following Formal Vs. Informal Networks
three basic elements:
1. The source/encoder- a person in the 1. Formal Networks. Are typically vertical, follow the authority
interpersonal communication situation who chain, and are limited to task-related communications.
originates and encodes information to be
shared by others. 2. Informal Networks. Usually better known as the grapevine, is
free to move in any direction, skip authority levels, and is likely
2. The Signal- Encoded information that the to satisfy group members’ social needs as it is to facilitate task
source intends to share constitutes a accomplishments.
message. A message that has been
transmitted from one persons to another.
 In general managers can sharpen their communication skills by
adhering to the following “ten Commandments of Good
Achieving communication” as closely as possible. (AMA, 1995, Ware, 1991)
1. Seek to clarify your ideas before communicating
Communication 2. Examine the true purpose of each communication
3. Consider the total physical and human setting whenever you
Effectiveness communicate
4. Consult with others, when appropriate, in planning
communications
5. Be mindful while you communicate of the overtones rather than
merely the basic content of your message
6. Take the opportunity, when it arises, to convey something of help
or value to the receiver
7. Follow up your communication
8. Communicate for tomorrow as well as today
9. Be sure your actions support your communication
10. Last, but by no means least: Seek not only to be understood but
also to understand, be a good listener.
 1. The source’s view of the destination
Microbarriers 2. Message interference
3. The destination’s view of the source
These are factors that hinder
successful communication in a specific 4. Perception
communication situation.
5. Mutimeaning words
Barriers to Successful Interpersonal Communication
1. The increasing need for information
2. The need to complex information
3. The reality that people are increasingly coming
into contact with people who use languages
other than English
4. The constant need to learn new concepts cuts
down on the time available for information
 The Actual
Interview

When the big moment arrives, it’s time for all the
preparation to pay off. 2. Greeting and Behavior. Your greeting is extremely
1. Arrival important in making a good first impression
Go to the Interview alone Greet the Interviewer
Arrive a few minutes early Listen Carefully and Follow the Direction
Bring your resume with you Watch your Body Posture. Sit up Straight in the chair
Conduct yourself in a professional manner
Present Positive Attitude
 1. Wheel Network. Most information travels through one
center member of the group. The central member receivers
all messages from other group members and is sole sender
Group of messages to them.

Communication 2. Chain Network. Communication flows in a predetermined

sequence from one group member to the next. This is
Networks common when there is sequential task.
3. Circle Network. Occurs in groups whose members
communicate with others who are adjacent to them,
members who are similar to them on some dimensions
ranging from experience, interest, or are of expertise to the
Communication in an location of their offices when they sit as group needs.
organization occurs in certain recurring
patterns, regardless of the type of 4. All-Channel Network. Every group member communicates
communication that takes place. The set with every other group member. All-channel networks are
of pathways through which information prevalent when there is reciprocal task interdependence.
flows within a group or organization is
called a communication network.
 • Ensure that the dialogue take place in
Basic Rules privacy.
• Be factual.
Some Basic rules apply to us, • Avoid blaming. Focus on the issues, not the
regardless of personality dynamic. person.
• Take responsibility for your own feelings.
• Focus on what needs to be done. Or on
what could be done together to improve
matters, rather than simply giving
directives.
• Allow space for the other person’s
responses, and be attentive.
• Maintain a tone of respect
Thank You