Organizational
Communication
The most challenging task for managers
Organizational Communication
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Studies show that managers spend over
70% of their time communicating
If this is so, why do most managers identify
communications as their #1 challenge?
There is a big difference between doing it,
and doing it well
Organizational Communication
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Organizational Communication:
Focuses on getting work done and meeting
organizational goals
Focuses on change and adaptation
Focuses on social aspects and motivation of
individuals
Organizational Communication
Six Opportunities for Miscommunication
 Role of the communicator
 Variables: language, symbols, word usage
 Channel used
 Content
 Characteristics of the sender and receiver
 Context
Organizational Communication
Do you hear what I’m saying?
 Use of multiple techniques, leads to
interference and misinterpretations
 Influence tactics might affect what you hear
 Symbols can interfere with what you hear
 Nonverbal factors can interfere with what you
hear
Organizational Communication
Barriers to effective communications:
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If HP only knew what HP knows, John Doyle, former head of HP labs
Ineffective communication skills
Negative attitude towards the situation
Information overload
Inconsistency with our frame of reference
Credibility of source
Physical location
Distractions
Defensiveness
Personal Communications
Why focus on improving communications skills?
 Employers list communication skills as a basic
requirement and a primary flaw in candidates
 Are you comfortable with your ability to
communicate orally and in writing?
 Do you know how to listen and if not, is this a
problem?
 Do you know how to give and receive effective
feedback?