Week 5: Question 1 Group 2

In the beverage company where I work, communication follows the hierarchy process. We as the employees have to convey any information to our supervisors who then forwards it to the relevant managers. The response also comes in through the same process. We are not allowed to communicate directly with the upper management. Typically, one communicates with the supervisor through word of mouth who then forwards it to the relevant person. However, in most cases, the response ones get is not what one asked. There is some form of information distortion along the communication path. This normally happens mainly when the medium of communication is word of mouth. A good example of good communication is when an employee communicates with the supervisor and the gets the desired feedback. However, when there are delays and distortions along the communication path such that the sender receives the unwanted response, then that is bad communication.

Week 5: Question 2 Group 2

In the company where I work, we can use the “Arc of Distortion” and “Johari Window” to improve on communication. First, Johari windows will improve on the trust between employees and managers. The concept will also help people to maintain constant feedback. When people trust each other, communication becomes easy. Trusting each other will require all parties to reveal about themselves and tell others what they think about them.  The more people know about each other, the more effective is communication. The arc of distortion reduces the noise in any communication. Noise is all the barriers to communication including distortion of information.  Through closing the communication gap, communication becomes effective. One can use these concepts to gain a political advantage at work by building trust with the employees and the management as well communicating effectively. Politically, if the employees trust you and communication between you and them is effective one has an advantage.

Week 5: Question 3 Group 2

In my company, some barriers to communication exist. The main barrier is information distortion. Mainly employees communicate to supervisors who then pass the information to the managers or the relevant person. However, in the process, information is misinterpreted and employees end up getting the wrong feedback. Distortion occurs both ways meaning the message is distorted as well as the feedback. Another barrier is poor listening. It is common to find the supervisor doing other things as an employee tries to explain something. In other cases, the managers downplay the information passed on to them by the supervisors. At the end, an employee who was trying to communicate a problem is blamed when the problem escalates. Another barrier is inappropriate feedback. It is common for the supervisors to fail to communicate the whole feedback especially when it is negative.  These barriers can be eliminated by selecting an appropriate communication barrier. If for example we were allowed to communicate through word of mouth directly to the managers, feedback would be immediate and undistorted.

Week 5: Question 4 Group 2

The communication climate in my company is defensive. The hierarchy of communication is strictly followed. Neutrality for example is never adhered. When someone makes a slight mistake, the supervisor or the manager will come in uttering accusing words to the person. Just because the manager is superior, the employees cannot question anything said by the manager. This introduces the idea of insecurity. Employees feel insecure and blames are placed on others. The managers are always defensive if when it is their mistake that something happened. When there is a miscommunication or distortion of information, the employee who initiated the communication gets the blame.  Due to the placing of blames, everybody in the company acts defensive. The insecurity and uneasiness placed on the employees makes them unproductive.  The climate should be more supportive. Employees do not have to feel insecure. There should be equality when it comes to communication such that an employee can be able to question what a manager says to clear any miscommunication.

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