Week 2

Attendance “Who Am I?” Due Good News! Chapter 4 Gestures Power Point/Extra Credit Quiz Body Language/Steering Wheel Videos Communication Inventory Chapter 5 Team Building – Back to Back Flexing Power Point Listening Inventory Team Building – Drawing Bugs Inventory writing

Improving Personal and Organizational Communication

Chapter 4

Before Class Starts…

Be thinking of how you will answer the attendance question…”What is your biggest pet peeve?”

The Communication Process

All organizational communication is on a continuum

Impersonal Interpersonal

Impersonal Communication One-way information giving process

Transmit or transfer of information

Used to give basic information:– company policies, instructions, facts

Methods include:– memos, letters, e-mail, voice mail,

manuals, bulletin boards

Impersonal Communication

Advantage:easy ways to get the word out

Limitations: limited feedback from receiverunderstanding of message not

knowntiming of message not controlled

Interpersonal Communication

Two-way communicationVerbal exchange of thoughts or

information between two or more peopleDescriptions include:

share, discuss, argue, interactFormats include:

meetings, interviews, phone calls, traditional classes

Response from receiver necessary for effectiveness

Interpersonal Communication

Advantages:builds stronger, more personal

relationshipssender can be sure the message was

understood

Limitations:takes time, often not feasible

Effective communication is composed of 3 basic elements:

Sender

Message

Receiver

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.1Diagram of Simple Communication Process

Complex Communication

Most communications are more complicatedMessages travel through filters which can

alter the way your message is understoodNeed to be aware of possible distortions so

miscommunication can be interpreted

Figure 2.2Diagram of More Complex

Communication Process

Communication Filters

SemanticsEmotionsAttitudesLanguage/Culture differencesRole expectationsGender-specific focus Nonverbal messages

Semantics

Study of relationship between words and their meaning(s)

We often assume that the words we use mean the same things to others, but this assumption can create problems.

Abstract terms are subject to more interpretations of meaning

Example: Some words have imprecise meanings and can be interpreted in different ways: job satisfaction, downsizing, and word processing…others?

Emotionshttp://www.collegeslackers.com/video/angry_ford_customer

Powerful communication filterReceivers may think with their emotionsStrong emotions can prevent reception, or

distort the strength of a messageMay shift attention from the message content

to feelingsExample: An angry client can easily ruin

effective communication.

Attitudes

Negative and positive attitudes can create resistance or bias to a message

Attitude may be based on: voice, accent, gesture, dress, delivery, mannerisms and/or speaker’s topic

For example: The listener may not like the speaker’s voice and have a hard time listening to the intended message, therefore breaking down communication.

Language and Cultural Barriers

LanguageEnglish is the dominant language in

the global marketplace, however….Accommodate the needs of those

whose first language is not English.Considerations when using English

with non-native speakers speak slowly, clearly avoid slang ask if clarification is needed

Language and Cultural Barriers

Culture An accumulation of values, forms of

expression, beliefs, and languageShapes one's interpretations of what

events mean Communication problems can be

caused by conflicting cultural assumptions

Language and Cultural Barriers

Cultures have different standards forhow fast you should talkhow much you should talkhow long you should pause between ideashow long you should wait after someone

finishes talking before you say something

Role Expectations

Influences how people expect themselves, and others, to act

Two ways they can distort communication People may identify others too closely with their

roles (example: “It’s just the boss again saying the same old thing.”)

People use their roles to alter the way they relate to others or “position power” (example: managers expecting employees to accept what they say simply because of their authority.)

Gender-Specific Focushttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxtUH_bHBxs

Learned gender roles can influence the way men and women communicate

Genders conditioned to approach communication in different ways Males: take charge Females: facilitative and cooperative

Maybe you have a biased about women in charge or maybe you are a ‘man hater’ and do not want to be told what to do by another male in your life.

Contrary to the comedian…..most recent research finds the communication styles of men and women to be more alike than different.

Impersonal…….Interpersonal Communication Activity

Need a volunteer to give out verbal directions for drawing a picture

Need everyone else to get out a blank piece of paper

Get ready to create a ‘picture’No questions allowed, not even for

clarificationWatch and listen for communication

filters that may be getting in the way

Impersonal…….Interpersonal Communication Activity

Let’s try it again….You can ask questions this time around.Turn your paper over and get ready to

draw the picture again.Which version of the picture was better

(using impersonal communication or interpersonal communication?)

Hopefully the picture using interpersonal communication!

Communication Filter Practice

In your team, read through the following scenarios….

Which filters are getting in the way?What might be the result?Discuss all points of view.Discuss as a whole group in 5 minutes or so.

COMPLETE THIS INVENTORY TO

DETERMINE YOUR PERSONALITY PREFERENCE.

You’re at a Party

Week 3

Read the resume, cover letter supplement (pg. 326-346)

Begin working on your “rough draft” of resume and cover letter Due 6th class You will also write a cover letter to a person from a

job ad you find in the paper or on the internet. This is a job you would like to have once you have received your degree. If there is not a person listed to send resume to use my name, Ms. Deb Holst.

Use the company address listed in the ad for the “inside address” on your cover letter.