Unit 2 english

Unit Overview

• Title: Interpersonal Communication and Collaboration

• Instructor: Dr. Shilpa Gamit

• Date: 13-02-2025

• Department: English

Types of Communication

Verbal Communication

• Oral Communication:

  • Transmission of thoughts and ideas through spoken words.

  • Takes up 65-75% of an executive's time at work; managers can spend up to 90%.

  • Examples include meetings, interviews, group discussions, speeches, and presentations.

• Written Communication:

  • Involves languages conveyed through written messages.

Nonverbal Communication

• Types:

  • Sign Language: Communication through manual gestures, often for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

  • Visual Sign: Use of visual media to convey messages (e.g., posters, diagrams).

  • Body Language: Use of physical behavior to communicate.

  • Audio Signals: Communications using sounds like alarms or alerts.

Oral Communication

Overview

• Definition: Thought transmission through spoken words.

• Context: Vital for managerial roles, comprises majority of workplace interactions.

Merits of Oral Communication

• Speed: Faster than written due to immediate transmission and feedback.

• Efficacy: Enhances resolution through direct dialogue.

• Flexibility: Allows real-time adaptations to conversations.

• Relationship Building: Fosters a positive working environment and interpersonal relations.

Demerits of Oral Communication

• Lack of Evidence: Harder to verify or reference.

• Misunderstanding: Spoken messages can be easily misinterpreted.

• Memory Issues: Difficult to retain complex or lengthy information.

Written Communication

Advantages

• Permanent Record: Provides a traceable document of communication.

• Clarity and Precision: Writers can edit for accuracy.

• Legal Validity: Can serve as evidence in disputes.

• Mass Dissemination: Easy to share with large audiences.

Demerits

• Misinterpretation: Risks of misunderstandings due to tone or clarity issues.

• Delayed Feedback: Lack of instantaneous dialogue can prolong resolutions.

• Time-Consuming: Reading and writing take significant time, especially for complex messages.

Nonverbal Communication

Types

• Kinesics: Study of body movement in communication.

  • Includes posture, gestures, and facial expressions.

• Haptics: Communication through touch, conveying emotion and intention.

• Proxemics: Use of personal space in interactions, varies culturally.

• Paralanguage: Vocal nuances beyond words; e.g., tone, pitch.

• Chronemics: Time usage in communication; affects relationships and perception.

Communication Networks

Formal vs. Informal Communication

• Formal Communication: Follows structured pathways; examples include reports, emails, proposals.

• Informal Communication: Spontaneous and multidimensional; known as "grapevine".

  • May involve personal dialogues, silence, and non-verbal cues.

Characteristics of Grapevine Communication

• Informal Nature: Unofficial and unstructured.

• Speed: Can transmit information rapidly.

• Unverified Info: Rumors may distort accuracy.

Summary of Grapevine Types

• Single Strand Chain: Sequential information passing (A to B to C).

• Gossip Chain: Group discussions spreading interesting non-job-related news.

• Probability Chain: Informally scattered chances of information passing randomly among individuals.

• Cluster Chain: Trust-based dissemination of information among most trusted individuals.

Differences Between Formal and Informal Communication

• Formal: Structured, authentic, slower, documented, secure.

• Informal: Unstructured, faster, less reliable, no documentation, can include gossip.

Contextual Communication Challenges

Case Study: XYZ Tech Solutions

• Social Context: Team-building efforts hindered by cultural and linguistic barriers.

• Professional Context: Communication dominated by senior employees, leading to junior disengagement.

• Virtual Context: Remote communication issues including time zone conflicts and misinterpretation.

Questions for Reflection

1. How can organizations promote effective communication in diverse teams?

2. What strategies can uplift junior employees in discussions?

3. How can virtual communication misunderstandings be mitigated?

4. What is the role of emotional intelligence in cross-cultural exchanges?