Effective Communication
Running head: Effective Communication
Effective Communication
Scott Hellman
Grand Canyon University
EDA 531
12/7/08
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Effective Communication
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Effective Communication
Since the dawn of time man has known the importance of communication. Over the years
man has found different ways of communication and they have worked to prefect them. We have
come a long way from writing symbols to leaps and bounds in digital communication. The rise
and fall of civilizations can be based around communication. The world has seen its share of
great leaders that were effective communicators. What makes an effective communicator? This
paper will highlight tools that leaders can improve on to become effective communicators. It will
also compare and contrast three different models of communication. There will also be a scene
form The Hunt for Red October that will show one of the illustrated tools of communication in
action.
There are three main types of communication, Linear, Interactional, and Transactional.
Hersey, Blanchard, and Johnson describe linear communication as a pattern or group of symbols
that may not have any particular meaning but are representational of something. (2008 p. 243)
Linear communication is one way. The sender influences a linear message only. The receiver on
the end of the linear message can be influenced by such communication, but it isn’t a necessary
condition. For example, Golden archers, they can mean a number of things, but to most
Americans we associate then with McDonalds. The symbols of the golden arches can influence a
person by reminding them that they are hungry but a reaction is not always present.
Unlike linear communication the interactional model both sender and receiver have an
opportunity to interact with each other. Both kinds of communication can be based on verbal and
non-verbal forms, but in linear communication the receiver is not directly involved. “After
receiving the message, the follower then decodes the message to ascertain some form of meaning
for the message” (Hersey, Blanchard, Johnson, 2008 p.245). Through interactional
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communication the receiver of the message has the opportunity to decode, and create a message
to return to the sender the parties get to participate as senders and receivers. For example, an
administration can send e-mail to a staff member or group of staff. The staff member or members
can then create feedback to return to the administrator.
The third model of communication is transactional. According to Hersey, Blanchard, and
Johnson, “ This model gives us our best understanding of face-to-face human
communication”(2008 p.246). However, unlike the first two models of communication,
transactional has three elements that are not present in the first two. These three elements are,
internal, external, and semantic noise. Internal noise can come from thoughts, daydreams, and
worrying. External noise comes form outside influences like the buzz of a cell phone, the passing
of a car, or other conversations going on. An example would be a teacher giving a lesson while
students from another class talking loudly as they walk by. The receivers of the teacher’s lesson
are being distracted by external noise.
Semantic noise comes from a lack of understanding of symbols of communication or
other reasons. A good example of semantic noise is described in this way “ …when a person
joins a new company, the slang, terms, and abbreviations used in the company must be taught to
the new employee or semantic noise will occur” (Hersey, Blanchard, Johnson, 2008 p.249).
Similarly when a new teacher starts in a district if they are unaware of codes, terms, and protocol
miscommunication can take place, and instructions might not be followed.
To be a good leader an administrator should have an understanding of all aspects of
communication. There are tools that a leader can use to improve communication skills. A good
leader has active listening skills. In an article written by Jamie Walters and Sarah Fenson, it
states, “ Most people think they listen well, but the truth is that most people don’t listen at all…”
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(2000, p. 3). An active listener will ask good questions of their speaker, questions that get to the
bottom of the speakers concerns or their agenda. They will be clean of any distractions that could
take away from what their speaker is saying. For example, a teacher needs to speak to their
administrator; the teacher is explaining their concerns to that administrator. With active listening
skills that administrator will confirm that they were listening by restating the teacher’s concerns
and asking questions to better understand the situation.
A good communicator will also strive to have a positive focus on the on the topic of
conversation. Don’t assume that everyone shares the same agenda. Tell people what is most
important to you and also let them express what is important to them. Keeping a positive mind
set will help keep everyone’s view on the topic in the conversation positive as well. A principle
comes into the classroom to observe the teacher during a lesson. When sitting down with that
teacher the principle gives the teacher positive feed back, and then provides helpful
recommendations on how to improve their lesson. By keeping the situation positive the teacher
will less likely feel as tough their method of teaching, or they themselves are being attacked.
Looking for common ground is also a key for having good communication skills. “One
way to begin discovering commonality is to share your underling intention” (Walters, Fenson,
2000 p.2). For example an administrator can start a meeting with a group of teachers by saying,
“I understand your concerns and I’m prepared to help you.” He then can proceed with applying
the two-mentioned communication skills, active listening and a positive focus of the meetings
events. Having a common ground during conversations tells your receivers that you are genuinely
interested in what they have to say.
There are some situations that can be an inconvenience or very frustrating to one or more
of the people taking part in a conversation. Good communications skills will help a person in a
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leadership position acknowledge those frustrations or inconveniences. Some thing that can be
helpful is to “… offer a timeline, particularly if you need someone else’s cooperation or your
activities will affect them” (Walters, Fenson, 2000 p. 2). Meeting with administrators and
stakeholders can be frustrating. PLC (Professional Learning Communities) for each school in a
district can be different. For example the high school will run their PLC meetings on Monday.
This means the school has a late arrival on those Mondays. This leaves little time for teachers to
prepare for the day. With little time on these days teachers have become very frustrated with
these meetings. When an administrator acknowledges these frustrations and inconveniences they
can come up with a plan to ease these problems. An administrator can bring up the topic in
department head meetings and from there a plan can be put into motion to help ease the stress of
the situation.
All leaders need to remember that change is stressful for most people. Communication
can be a key in reducing a stressful situation. Walters and Fenson express that “…if you’re in
someone’s space or need him to do something on your timeline, provide as much information as
you can about what you’ll need from the person and when” (2000, p. 2). This can help reduce
stress that a person might be felling. An administrator would need to communicate the change
taking place a head of time. For example, a school is making a change to One to One. One to One
provides computers to the entire student body. The faculty has to be prepared for such a change
or the stress can be overwhelming. An administrator can help by communicating with the faculty
using all of the communication skills previously stated.
In the movie the Hunt for Red October, Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst, believes that a Russian
Submarine commander, Capitan Marko Ramius wants to defect from soviet Russia. The Sub
commanders of both the Russian and American ships are unclean of Ryan’s intentions. By using
Effective Communication
Morris Code Ryan is able to clear the waters and communicate his intentions to both
commanders. By using Ramius’s desire to defect as common ground, Ryan is able to prevent a
war from the Americans misunderstanding of the situation and help the Russian’s how are
defecting to escape Russia.
To conclude, a good leader must have good communication skills. Each model of
communication that has been illustrated in this paper has an affect on its receiver. Each skill of
communication that can be developed will help to reduce confusion and conflict to the people
that we communicate with.
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Effective Communication
References
Hersey, P., Blanchard, K. H., Johnson, D. E. (2008). Management of organizational behavior:
Leading human resources. Title of Periodical,(Ninth Edition), pg 6. New Jersey: Pearson
Walters, Jamie. Fenson, Sarah. A Crash Course in Communication (2000). Retrieved Dec. 7,
2008 from http://www.inc.com/articles/2000/08/20000.html
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