Name, describe and provide an example of two barriers to effective communication. Briefly discuss the elements in the communication process.

Briefly discuss the elements in the communication process.

A sender encodes a message that translates an idea into words. The message is sent through a medium that may include spoken or written words or signs. The receiver receives the message and decodes it by assigning meaning to the words. The receiver may then decide to respond to the original message by also encoding or translating his idea into words. This process of responding is called feedback. The entire process from sender to receiver may be altered or distorted due to noise in the system. The noise can be external to the environment or internal. If too much noise impacts the encoding or decoding, or any other aspect of the communication process, miscommunication can occur.

143. Name the three functions which communication fulfills and provide an example of each.

The three main functions of communication are: coordination, transmission of information, and sharing emotions and feelings. Coordination would ensure that everyone is aware of the strategy and goals of the organization and all are working together toward them. Transmission of information would be demonstrated by, for example, a written copy of the firm’s objectives such that all employees would know the goals and their general direction. Finally, the sharing of emotions and feelings could be exemplified by praising a department for exceeding annual goals set at a luncheon in their honor.

144. Name, describe and provide an example of two barriers to effective communication.

Barriers to communication include:

Filtering: a distortion or withholding of information to manage a person’s reaction.  An example might be a manager who keeps negative comments about his department from his superior.

Selective perception is personal filtering of what we see and hear so as to suit our own needs. An example is when a sports fan reads the newspaper, he often does not “see” news stories but only those items related to sports.

Information overload is when the information processing demands on an individual’s time to perform interactions and internal calculations exceed the supply or capacity of time available for such processing. When an individual returns from vacation, he often has hundreds of email messages, phone messages and memos on his desk.

Emotional disconnects are when there are opinion or personality differences which impact communication. I have had a terrible day already and then you say something to me that is actually pretty innocuous, but I take offense.

Lack of source familiarity or credibility. There is no common context for the sender and receiver in the communication situation. This is a prime example of why some jokes just fail to make anyone laugh.

Workplace gossip is an informal gossip network. Sometimes people hear about events that will occur in a firm over lunch and then get the official e-mail about it later.

Semantics are the meanings we give to words. SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) is an acronym widely understood by accounting and finance people but is something lost on others not in the field.

Gender differences in communication. Example: Men tend to focus on orders in their communication, women on requests.

Differences in meaning between the sender and receiver: The perspectives of the two parties differ and miscommunication occurs. For example, I use generational slang like the word “cool.” I think it means, “that’s interesting,” you are from a previous generation, so you think it has to do with temperature.

Biased language: words or actions that offend or stereotype others. For example, gender bias is shown when the word “salesman” is used. To avoid gender bias, use the term “salesperson.”