| Many of today's organizations represent the global | | | | them- not the whole organization. This could lead |
| society we currently live in. Many of these | | | | to eventual information blockage, and even a |
| Organizations could incur communication problems, | | | | complete misinterpretation of the original message. |
| because of a lack of basic cultural understanding. | | | | 5. Perceptual factors |
| What are the six ways can we can effectively | | | | One fault many people have is stereotyping, and |
| combat communication failure? | | | | most of us are guilty at one time or another of |
| 1. Simplifying Language | | | | having a fixed view on people. In some societies |
| Even if different cultures can speak one language, | | | | the habits of the so-called "uneducated" may be |
| their understanding of the language can be | | | | viewed in a different light.Bob the builder may |
| misinterpreted. In many cultures communication is | | | | have great ideas in some societies, but in others |
| spoken rather than written, and based on how | | | | he would be considered too uneducated to know |
| we interact with each other. Simplifying | | | | anything. |
| explanations, and using visual images like videos, | | | | Perceptual factors are important in organizations. |
| and photographs, could cut down any | | | | A more liberal manager could fail in a conservative |
| communication difficulties. | | | | environment, because of a simple habit, or accent. |
| 2. Fairness | | | | The more narrow-minded the environment, the |
| The concept of fairness and equality is common | | | | more it is open to communication failure. The |
| in most societies, but all societies deal with this | | | | messenger has to be accepted, and respected, |
| concept differently. All Employees may want to | | | | otherwise the message no matter how |
| be accepted, and fairly treated, but often | | | | informative, and correct- could be ignored, or |
| misunderstandings arise on how this concept is | | | | even seen as an insult. |
| communicated. | | | | 6. "Crabology" |
| Those used to a more structured authoritarian | | | | Some people simply do not like the ideas of |
| background, may be confused when instructions | | | | others getting ahead. Imagine a bucket of crabs, |
| are dealt with in a casual manner, whilst people | | | | one tries to crawl out the bucket, but the rest of |
| used to working in a more open system resent | | | | the crabs always pull it back down. This can |
| being ordered instead of asked- leading to | | | | happen in organizations, were some groups are in |
| communication failure, and eventual resentment. | | | | their comfort zone, and see as a threat an idea |
| 3. Cutting Down on Code Noise | | | | or a person who is getting on. Communications |
| Imagine the same email being sent from person | | | | from that person or section, could be deliberately |
| to person, this simple email could be interpreted | | | | ignored, or even fought against, pulling that person |
| differently, leading to communication failure at its | | | | down down to their level. |
| worse. The use of jargon could even confuse but | | | | Multi-Cultural workplaces are going to be |
| make the message sound different, creating | | | | increasingly common in today's brave new World. |
| complete communication failure. | | | | Our governments are already multi-cultural, as are |
| 4. Information Retention | | | | many corporations that survived the economic |
| There is a "big picture," and then a series of | | | | crisis. Understanding basic human nature, |
| "smaller pictures," within the big picture. As a | | | | perceptual factors and the way different groups |
| message is sent around an organization, it often | | | | communicate, is the key to running a successful, |
| reaches those who only know the "smaller | | | | innovative organization today. |
| picture," and many people only see how it affects | | | | |