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 questionWhat 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 receiver

understanding of message not known
timing of message not controlled

Interpersonal Communication
Two-way communication
Verbal exchange of thoughts or information

between two or more people

Descriptions include:
share,

discuss, argue, interact

Formats include:
meetings,

interviews, phone calls,

traditional classes

Response from receiver necessary for

effectiveness

Interpersonal Communication
Advantages:
builds

stronger, more personal

relationships
sender 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
Diagram of Simple
Communication Process

Figure 2.1

Complex Communication

Most communications are more complicated

Messages travel through filters which can alter the

way your message is understood

Need to be aware of possible distortions so
miscommunication can be interpreted

Figure 2.2
Diagram of More Complex
Communication Process

Communication Filters
Semantics
Emotions
Attitudes
Language/Culture differences
Role expectations
Gender-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?

Emotions
http://www.collegeslackers.com/video/angry_ford_customer

Powerful communication filter

Receivers may think with their emotions
Strong emotions can prevent reception, or distort the

strength of a message
May shift attention from the message content to
feelings
Example: 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
speakers topic
For example: The listener may not like
the speakers voice and have a hard time
listening to the intended message,
therefore breaking down
communication.

Language and Cultural Barriers

Language
English

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 language
Shapes one's interpretations of what events
mean
Communication problems can be caused
by conflicting cultural assumptions

Language and Cultural Barriers

Cultures have different standards for
how

fast you should talk

how much you should talk
how long you should pause between ideas
how 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: Its 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 Focus
http://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 clarification
Watch and listen for communication filters that
may be getting in the way

Impersonal.Interpersonal
Communication Activity
Lets 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.

Youre at a Party

COMPLETE THIS
INVENTORY TO
DETERMINE YOUR
PERSONALITY
PREFERENCE.

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.