Workplace Communication Dynamics

The main types of workplace communication are: Formal/Informal Communication and Small Group Communication.

Formal interaction in the workplace takes place in a framework of unspoken authority and rules. Informal interaction is influenced by the culture of the organization .

Looking how people communicate in the workplace is useful because it helps to appreciate the causes of certain behaviors at work. We can more easily distinguish what behaviors are caused by organizational structure and what behaviors are caused by individuals interacting as a group.

Formal Communication

Formal communication is the information that flows upward, downward, and horizontally, among peers within an organizational structure. It also includes the diagonal interaction that takes place within project teams, boards, committees, and task forces.

Informal or Grapevine Communication

Informal or grapevine communication flows in any direction, it doesn’t follow the organization structure. It can take place between all levels and all areas of the organization.

Informal relationships create a bond between people that help team become more cohesive and help people enjoy more the time they spend at the office.

In addition, the grapevine is used to carry rumors and gossip. Rumors in the Workplace are a fact of life, most people at work engage in some form of rumor spreading. Still, the rumor mill needs to be managed to reduce the harm that rumors and gossip may cause.

Small Group Communication

Small group communication includes: staff meetings, planning sessions, working sessions, project team meetings and committee meetings, board meetings and any other small group that meets and communicates.

In small groups, a facilitator leads the discussion and the group participates as needed. The dynamics of small groups are different than those of large groups or one-on-one interactions.

In a group, the individual is affected by the attitude of the leader and the attitude of other members of the group. The need to look good (or avoid looking bad) is stronger. People may also bring their own agendas to influence the group beyond the pre-established group goals. Individuals may also tend to agree with the group to avoid confrontations, a dynamic known as groupthink.

Small groups can meet face to face or remotely aided by technology. The dynamics are almost the same, the difference is that they play out via text or video on a screen; or voice on a telephone. The absence of presence does influence the way small groups communicate, but to a small degree.

To sum up: it’s useful to look at workplace communication. Doing so helps to see how the way people communicate at work is shaped by (1) rules and organizational structure and (2) individual personalities.

2. Make up a written summary no the text mentioning in:

1) Introduction : main types of workplace communication;

2) Body text : giving some details on each type of workplace communication;

3) Conclusion: why this information is important.

(not more than five sentences for eight minutes).

Step 2 (Listening- Speaking- Writing))

1. Watch the video piece “Cultural Diversity – Tips for communicating with cultural awareness”. While watching make notes using the prompts in brackets for answering the questions:

1) What is cultural diversity? ( write down its definition )

2) What types of differences does in cover? (umbrella of cultural diversities:

religious behavior, attitude, differences in relation to values, believes, gender differences, status differences)

3) Do you have any tips on cultural diversity?

(using the observation skills,

appreciating differences,

respecting the individual concern,

being patient)

4)What country do people communicate by giving facts?

…............................................................by sharing a lot of emotions?

………………………………………by building harmony?

.……………………………………...by asking about families?

5)Can you summarize cultural diversities?

( acknowledging differences,

respecting those differences)

2. Role-play: Using your note-making of previous activity dramatize in pairs conducting the interview discussing the problem of cultural diversity:

Student A is an interviewer asking questions from exercise 1.

Student B is an interviewee answering the questions

(you have ten minutes for this activity)

3. While watching video “Gestures around the world” try to remember different meanings of the same gestures in different countries. Get ready to demonstrate the ones that impressed or surprised you much (not more than five minutes).