Communication
Theories
Human communication permeates the human
condition. Human communication surrounds us
and is an in-built aspect of everything human
beings are and do. That makes any effort to
explain, predict, or to some extent control human
communication a pretty big order. How does one
get a handle on the totality of human
communication?
- Frank Dance
1
Arrow Theory
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Introduction
“I communicate by memos because I know I’ve
communicated. Then I know I did my job!!!”
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Effectiveness
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Clearly and precisely put my thoughts into words.
Speak with credibility.
My talk forces action.
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Arrow cont.
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Communication Breakdowns
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Failure= Blame
Failure = Incompetence
Accoutrements
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Pro-management
Downward comm.
Directive
3
Arrow cont.
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Origins
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Past Training
Communication Training
Personality Traits
4
Arrow Cont.
5
Arrow Cont.
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Scorecard
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Effective Expression = Effective Commun.
Passive Information Processors
Words contain meaning
Focus on clear expression
Links words to actions
6
Arrow cont.

I didn't hate them because they were dumb, I
didn't hate them because they had spilled our
blood for nothing. I hated them because of
their arrogance .. because they had convinced
themselves that they actually knew what they
were doing and that we were too minor to
understand the "Big Picture”.

- Chuck Horner
7
Circuit Theory
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Introduction
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Key terms - networking, going with the flow,
making connections
Emphases
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Feedback over response
Relationship over content
Process over purpose
Understanding over compliance
8
Circuit cont.
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Examples
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Elton - “I just want everyone to get along”
Smart-talk trap = Sound smart, but no action
Effectiveness
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Actively listen to employees in order to make
them happy.
Sensitive employee needs
Open to employees.
9
Circuit cont.
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Circuit Breakers
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Poor climate
Misunderstanding
Hidden agendas
Origins
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Business schools
Communication training
Personality
10
Circuit cont.
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Circuit cont.
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Accoutrements
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Change initiation
Sources of innovation
Direction of communication
12
Circuit cont.
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Evaluation
Understanding = Effective Comm.
Connections
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Feedback
Relationship issue
Disconnections
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Goals of comm.
Understanding = agreement
13
Dance Theory
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Communication has multiple purposes.
Comm. involves coordinating meanings.
Comm. involves co-orientation.
Comm. is rule-governed.
Comm. has patterns.
14
Dance cont.
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Communicators develop skills that are often
unconscious.
The beauty of comm. is a function of the
degree of coordination.
15
Dance
 Fortunately,
there is no
relationship between your
ability to dance and your skill at
communicating.
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