Communication Chapter 8 OBR250 Final Assignment OVERVIEW: • As reporters for the “Organizational Behaviour News”, you have been assigned the task of reporting on the second half of the course in a syndicated column each week. Your role is to uncover and share details about concepts, issues and/or ideas that demonstrate the values, goals, and/or actions inherent in Organizational Behaviour. It is important to choose to report on ideas that connect you personally to the course. The editor has given you options for your reports either podcast, or video and has left it up to you to decide which form you believe will interest the most readers (mostly individuals at the beginning of their careers and those changing career paths). • Goals for the “Big Idea” Journal are to: ∙ Improve your understanding of key concepts ∙ Build analytical and critical thinking skills so you can reflect on how theory applies to real world situations ∙ Obtain evidence that enhances your argument or position on a certain topic/issue ∙ Impart greater appreciation and understanding of Organizational Behaviour as a discipline OBR Final Assignment For this assignment you have to create a video news story for 3 of the last 7 chapters (your choice from chapter 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14) that we discussed in class. The video must include the following 5 criteria: 1. Overview of the Weekly Topic • This should act as a summery and introduction to the topic discussed and read each week of the course. You should describe the objective; the important concepts/issues of the week; and briefly situate the weekly topic in the course in terms of how it relates to other topics already studied. 2. Description of “Big Idea” • Pick one “big idea” for each week of the course that you believe is the main idea or concept for the week. The “big idea” should be something that you will remember for years in the future. Describe the “big idea” in terms of why you feel it is important, and how it might relate to other concepts discussed in the course. 3. “Real World” Examples: • As you read through the reference materials for this week it is likely that concepts will remind you of processes within organizations that you have encountered or even experiences you have had as a member of an organization. List at least 3 real world examples outside of those listed in the reference material provided each week. For each describe the nature of the organization and the nature of the example. OBR Final Assignment 4. “Aha!” Moment of the Week • As you read through the reference materials for the week, you will likely come across an idea or concept that makes you think more deeply about the topic of the week. It might be something from the chapter that makes you think “oh, I never would have thought of it that way”, a video from lecture that makes you think “I must look into that more”, or lecture that makes you think “that’s really interesting”. An “Aha!” moment is one a moment when sudden insight into a topic or one that makes you want to discover more knowledge on the topic. In this section describe one “Aha!” moment and how it opened your mind and understanding of the topic. 5. Action Plan • Compare what you knew about the topic prior to this week to what you know now what some next steps you might take are in short term (preparing for the final test/assignment) and long term (career) to apply any of the concepts to your life. OBR250 Final Assignment • • • VIDEO NEWSTORY REQUIREMENTS: ∙ One, 3 to 5 minute minimum zoom or you tube video for 3 of the final 6 weeks of the second half of the course (chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14). ∙ 3 Videos Total!!! ∙ Recordings should use professional Business English but can use personal reflections with the use of “I” ∙ Videos may be live action or animations ∙ Excellent video interviews are well prepared and tell a compelling story. Here is a resource to help with this https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/how-conduct-journalistic-interview/ ∙ Use factual information and cite sources by referring to them in your recording (i.e. “According to Professor Tilson conflict in teams can be a good thing because it encourages creative and innovative solutions”) DO NOT USE Wikipedia as your reference. ∙ Your weekly video news story may be structured in whichever format you like but should include some aspect of Personal reflection on “Big Idea” of the 3 Chapters featured in the second half of the class. ∙ In depth research of the topic which extends our knowledge of the topic through real world examples. You may use: ∙ Interviews with other students ∙ Interviews with content experts (Seneca Professors, or those working in industry) ∙ Academic sources from the library ∙ To upload please post on YouTube or Zoom as a private unlisted video (instructions posted on course site) and ∙ Copy the URL’s and submit them on the final assignment link on blackboard with your name and student number. • ASSESSMENT: Your assessment, (60 marks, worth 20% of your total mark) will be based on: ∙ Formatting (fonts, spacing and titles/logical flow of sound recording or video, sound editing, video editing) ∙ Grammar (spelling, capitalization & punctuation, accurate word choices in writing or recording, use of professional business vocabulary and sentence structure) ∙ Content and Organization (inclusion of interesting topics from each week of the course, factual information used, creative presentation) ∙ Depth of reflection and analysis (assignment must further knowledge in the topic beyond textbook readings and class presentations) ∙ Impact (balanced discussion of observations and their implications made and clearly explained, creativity). The 3 levels of Organizational Behaviour 14: Organizational Culture 8:Communication 9: Managing groups and teams 10:Conflict and negotiations 11: Making decisions 12: Leading people within organisations 13: Power and Politics 1. 2. What is OB? Managing Demographic and Cultural Diversity 3: Understanding people at work 4.Indivdidual attitudes and behaviours 5.Theories of motivation 6.Designing a motivating department 7.Managing stress and emotions After reading this chapter, you should be able to do the following: Understand the communication process. Compare and contrast different types of communication. Compare and contrast different communication channels. Understand and learn to overcome barriers to effective communication. Understand the role listening plays in communication. Learn how verbal and nonverbal communication can carry different meanings among cultures. •Communication Gone Wrong: It Isn’t Always What It Seems Why is Good Communication so Critical in Organizations? Breakout Discussion What Gets in the Way of Good Communication? What the best way to communicate to someone? Communication • Communication is – a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behaviour. Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels Poor Communication • In most work environments, a miscommunication is an annoyance • In some work areas might be the difference of life and death – E.g. Operating rooms and pilots Photo by JAFAR AHMED on Unsplash • In business poor communication costs money and time Advantages of Effective Communication Most important skill to job recruiters Majority of time at work in any job is spent communicating Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash Keeping employees informed Communication Process Model Communication Barriers • Filtering – the distortion or withholding of information to manage a person’s reactions – People tend to filter bad news during upward communication – Things to consider when deciding whether to filter a message: • Past experience • Knowledge and perception of the speaker • Emotional state, involvement with the topic and level of attention Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash Communication Barriers • Selective Perception – filtering what we see and hear to suit our own needs. – Often used to deal with a bombardment of stimuli or requests for our attention – Can lead to issues with task prioritization and differences of opinion in terms of urgency or importance Photo by Stefan Cosma on Unsplash Communication Barriers • Information Overload – occurs when the information processing demands on an individual’s time to perform interactions and internal calculations exceed the supply or capacity of time available for such processing – Symptom of the high-tech age – Advent of email plays a large role in this Photo by Christian Erfurt on Unsplash Communication Barriers • Workplace Gossip – The informal gossip network known as the grapevine is a lifeline for many employees seeking information about their company – 70% of all organizational communication occurs at the grapevine level – Barrier to effective communication for managers as it can be perceived as being more credible than official channels Photo by Ben White on Unsplash – May be used by some to gain political power within an organization Communication Barriers • Gender differences – Men tend to focus more on competition, data, and orders in their communications – Women tend to focus more on cooperation, intuition, and requests. – Both styles can be effective in the right situations Photo by Kelly Searle on Unsplash Communication Barriers • Poor Listening – Listening takes practice, skill, and concentration. – Active listening • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as needed, and not interrupting at inappropriate times Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash Communication Barriers • Communication Freezers – put an end to effective communication by making the receiver feel judged or defensive. – E.g. criticizing, blaming, ordering, judging, or shaming the other person. Photo by Rodolpho Zanardo from Pexels Types of Communication and Channels • Verbal Communication Photo by Jessica Da Rosa on Unsplash – Allows for a more flexible communication style – Should be used for crucial conversations to ensure that high stakes communications are understood – Storytelling: an effective form of verbal communication which helps to construct common meanings for individuals within the organisation. Types of Communication and Channels • Written Communication Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash – Examples of written communications include memos, proposals, e-mails, letters, training manuals, and operating policies – Often asynchronous and a “one-to-many” communication which can be received by many and multiple times Types of Communication and Channels • Nonverbal Communication Photo by Ananya Bilimale on Unsplash – 55% of in-person communication comes from nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body stance, and tone of voice – A different tone and body language can change the perceived meaning of a message Types of Communication and Channels • Email as a communication Channel Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash – Creates challenges of tone, information overload and increasing the speed of doing businesses – E-mail the second most popular medium of communication worldwide, second only to voice. – To combat the overuse of email many companies have instituted initiatives such as “no email Fridays” Types of Communication and Channels • Cross-Cultural Communication – Culture is a shared set of beliefs and experiences common to people in a specific setting. – Different and “multicultural” identities of individuals in the same organisation can lead to miscommunications. – Vocabulary and jargon may be different from one person to another – Cultural may influence the type of nonverbal communication used and the amount of desired situational context Types of Communication and Channels • Communication Channels – The channel, or medium, used to communicate a message affects how accurately the message will be received called “information richness” Types of Communication and Channels • Key to effective communication is to match the communication channel with the goal of the message Communicating with Neurodiverse Employees • • • • Communicate using straightforward language Embrace honesty. Pace the flow of information. Be mindful of sensitivities Communication in a Virtual Work Environment Covid-19 has revolutionized the way we work and communicate with others while working. Remote work has had a significant impact on workplace communication, both positively and negatively, in some of the following ways: 1. Increase in digital communication 2. Flexibility 3. Lack of nonverbal cues 4. The increased importance of written communication skills 5. Need for intentional communication 6. More Asynchronous Communication 7. Increased Importance of Clear Communication 8. Increased Use of Video Conferencing The Benefits of AI in Communication • Ability to improve accessibility and efficiency. AI-powered translation services can also break down language barriers and facilitate communication between individuals who speak different languages. • Enhance the personalization of communication. With access to large amounts of data, AI-powered tools can analyze user behavior and preferences, tailoring communication to suit the individual's needs. • Ability to analyze and interpret large amounts of data. This provides insights that can help individuals and organizations make more informed decisions. The Challenges and Risks of AI in Communication • Difficult to differentiate between AI-generated and human-generated communication. While AI has the potential to revolutionize communication, it also poses certain challenges and risks. • Increased Bias. AI algorithms may perpetuate biases and reinforce existing inequalities if they are not properly designed and tested. A valuable function of communication in organizations is to: QUESTION?? A. encourage employee gossip through the grapevine. B. suppress emotional contagion. C. coordinate work activities. D. fulfil the drive to defend. E. All of these are valuable functions of communication in organizations Answer C. QUESTION ??? In the communication process model, what step happens after the receiver decodes the message? A. B. C. D. E. Sender transmits the message Receiver encodes the message Sender encodes message Receiver encodes feedback Receiver forms feedback to the sender Answer: D QUESTION??? Which of the following is the most commonly used form of digital communication in the workplace today? A. B. C. D. E. Email Chat text messages Voice messages Video chat Virtual whiteboard Answer: A QUESTION??? Which of the following represents a form of nonverbal communication? A. The sender's actions. B. The sender's voice intonation. C. The silence between statements made by people in a conversation. D. The sender's physical distance from the receiver. E. All of these are forms of nonverbal communication. Answer: E QUESTION??? What gender differences in communication tend to occur in organizational settings? A. B. C. D. E. Strengthening relationships is a higher priority for men than for women during conversations. Women give advice more quickly and frequently than do men. Women tend to be more sensitive than are men to the listener's nonverbal cues. All of these are known gender differences in communication in organizations. There are NO known gender differences in communication in organizations. Answer: C OBR250 FINAL ASSIGNMENT “Big Idea” Video News study Assignment Due April 12 @ 11:59pm OVERVIEW • As reporters for the “Organizational Behaviour News”, you have been assigned the task of reporting on the second half of the course in a syndicated column each week. Your role is to uncover and share details about concepts, issues and/or ideas that demonstrate the values, goals, and/or actions inherent in Organizational Behaviour. It is important to choose to report on ideas that connect you personally to the course. The editor has given you options for your reports either podcast, or video and has left it up to you to decide which form you believe will interest the most readers (mostly individuals at the beginning of their careers and those changing career paths). Goals for the “Big Idea” Journal are to: • Improve your understanding of key concepts • Build analytical and critical thinking skills so you can reflect on how theory applies to real world situations • Obtain evidence that enhances your argument or position on a certain topic/issue • Impart greater appreciation and understanding of Organizational Behaviour as a discipline. Video News Story For this assignment you have to create a video news story for 3 of the last 7 chapters (your choice from chapter 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 that we discussed in class. The video must include the following 5 criteria: 1. Overview of the Weekly Topic • This should act as a summery and introduction to the topic discussed and read each week of the course. You should describe the objective; the important concepts/issues of the week; and briefly situate the weekly topic in the course in terms of how it relates to other topics already studied. 2. Description of “Big Idea” • Pick one “big idea” for each week of the course that you believe is the main idea or concept for the week. The “big idea” should be something that you will remember for years in the future. Describe the “big idea” in terms of why you feel it is important, and how it might relate to other concepts discussed in the course. 3. “Real World” Examples • As you read through the reference materials for this week it is likely that concepts will remind you of processes within organizations that you have encountered or even experiences you have had as a member of an organization. List at least 3 real world examples outside of those listed in the reference material provided each week. For each describe the nature of the organization and the nature of the example. Video News Story 4. “Aha!” Moment of the Week • As you read through the reference materials for the week, you will likely come across an idea or concept that makes you think more deeply about the topic of the week. It might be something from the chapter that makes you think “oh, I never would have thought of it that way”, a video from lecture that makes you think “I must look into that more”, or lecture that makes you think “that’s really interesting”. An “Aha!” moment is one a moment when sudden insight into a topic or one that makes you want to discover more knowledge on the topic. In this section describe one “Aha!” moment and how it opened your mind and understanding of the topic. 5. Action Plan • Compare what you knew about the topic prior to this week to what you know now what some next steps you might take are in short term (preparing for the final test/assignment) and long term (career) to apply any of the concepts to your life. Video News Story Requirements • • • • • • • • • • • • • One 3 to 5 minute minimum zoom or you tube video for 3 of the final 6 weeks of the second half of the course (chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14). Recordings should use professional Business English but can use personal reflections with the use of “I” Videos may be live action or animations Excellent video interviews are well prepared and tell a compelling story. Here is a resource to help with this https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/how-conduct-journalistic-interview/ Use factual information and cite sources by referring to them in your recording (i.e. “According to Professor Tilson conflict in teams can be a good thing because it encourages creative and innovative solutions”) DO NOT USE Wikipedia as your reference. Your weekly video news story may be structured in whichever format you like but should include some aspect of Personal reflection on “Big Idea” of the 3 Chapters featured in the second half of the class. In depth research of the topic which extends our knowledge of the topic through real world examples. You may use: Interviews with other students Interviews with content experts (Seneca Professors, or those working in industry) Academic sources from the library To upload please post on YouTube or Zoom as a private unlisted video (instructions posted on course site) and Copy the URL’s and submit them on the final assignment link on blackboard with your name and student number. Assessment • • • • • • Your assessment, (60 marks, worth 20% of your total mark) will be based on: Formatting (fonts, spacing and titles/logical flow of sound recording or video, sound editing, video editing) Grammar (spelling, capitalization & punctuation, accurate word choices in writing or recording, use of professional business vocabulary and sentence structure) Content and Organization (inclusion of interesting topics from each week of the course, factual information used, creative presentation) Depth of reflection and analysis (assignment must further knowledge in the topic beyond textbook readings and class presentations) Impact (balanced discussion of observations and their implications made and clearly explained, creativity).
