Week One: Introduction
This week's lesson lingered on introductions and a brief discussion of the project that will make up the majority of this semester's work load. Each student will be required to complete a three-part Organizational Communication project in addition to weekly postings to this blog. The project will be divided into: 1) the theoretical research paper; 2) the communication audit; and 3) the life arts project. Weekly journals must be posted to this site. Simply review the question below; select the "Comments" link; type your response in the text box; and click the "Publish Post" button. And, voila, you're homework assignment is complete!
Let's give it a try.
- JOURNAL 1 -
Please give at least one example of a communication problem you experienced recently while participating in an organization. How was the problem resolved? If it was not resolved, can you imagine a solution?
posted by Jen at Friday, January 27, 2006
7 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
February 01, 2006 7:43 PM
Gretha said -
An Example of miscommunication by a member of a DC 37 in interpreting a message in a memo.
Last July of 2005, a co worker and I were discussing a column in the news paper concerning an increase in salary. Most city workers got a one percent increase in their yearly salary. This memo was addressed to all members of the DC 37 locals.” It stated effective July 2005 that they will receive a one percent raise in their annual salary. The increase was retro active to July. 2004.”
This coworker understood the language to mean, that she will receive two checks for one percent increase. At an annual salary of $36,000.00, she was entitled to $360.00 . I told her that she will only receive one check for $360.00. She was convinced that she is entitled to two checks at $360.00 each. We argued over this issue for a few minutes. In the end I finally left it alone, because I was sure that I was right in my understanding of the message in the memo.
Consequently, two weeks later, I saw that same coworker who eventually, apologized to me. She went to the union headquarters and the idea was broken down to her in simple mathematics, like I did earlier in the previous conversation.
February 12, 2006 2:58 PM
Jackie said -
It’s been a little over a year since I became a member of the Bronx Borough Management “Interoffice Communication Organization”. Although, it was a step backward for me financially, it also has been a stifling adjustment dealing with new people and their personalities. I’ve worked for New York City Housing Authority Disbursement Division for the past fifteen years which was the beginning of my life in the labor force. Nevertheless, it wasn’t “smooth sailing”, I was fresh out of high school, with very little experience. I can remember the first time walking into that office, everyone was quite older than I, and all the ladies were really nice and helpful to me. I was told to sit down as I watched in amazement as they all participated in preparing my desk before me. I would assume that my youthful innocence was written all over my face, instantly they called me the baby of the office. Unfortunately, this baby had a lot to learn, “the hard way”. Sorry to say, that shy and shallow little girl got caught up in a lot of negative office politics “gossip” along with having that youthful stubborn personality, which didn’t take me very far. It was around the time when my second child was born, I began to realize the things I was doing wrong with my life and my job. There’s a saying that “having children will make you grow up faster no matter how young you are”, well, I stand by that whole-hardly.
I needed more for my children and me, mentally and financially. Before long there were a new group of youngsters coming in looking to climb that corporate ladder right away. And “me” being the first one on board I wanted to be a step ahead of the game. I then, crawled out of my shell, I started listening and learning everything there was to learn about finance through careful observation and communication. Before long, they “higher ups” began to recognize the potential I had and my ambition to do better and promoted me shortly after. As the years flew by I grew more confident through every aspect of my life which brings me to the person I am today.
Although, I was demoted and transferred out of the Disbursements Division due to the existing civil service list I was able to transfer everything I am and know to my new location.
It’s been a year know since I’ve relocated to the “Boogie Down Bronx Borough Management Dept”. Becoming a member of this new “Clique” I’ve noticed the difference how each department Communicates and gives instructions to its member, although we all stand under one big Umbrella.
As usual any communications dilemma can be quite disturbing, but it also repressed me to see how my new Director handed out his internal memorandum with his own systematic formation, diverting the original HR Memo in his own way, “examples” are listed below”.
∙ NO sneakers are to be worn during office hour
∙ NO jeans blue or black ONLY on Friday
The original HR Memo does not specifically state those words. In other words it employs that all employees are expected to dress in a manner that is proper and fitting for the business environment. I understand that the authority is trying to project a positive and professional work environment. But if feel it’s unfair when I walk through the halls and see other people in other departments wearing their jeans without a care.
A lot of us has noticed the same thing , and complained among each other, but no has dared to break any rules including me.
February 12, 2006 3:04 PM
Stephanie said -
I been having trouble sending my comments on the blog website for the class, it would be greatly appreciated if you send some instruction. this is my third attempt. it keeps saying I need a required user name and password to send the blog. this is my first time trying to use a blog website
I am having the same trouble. I cannot log onto the website and it keeps telling me I need a user ID and password. I see you do not have any comments from the other students in the class. I know I am on the right website because I see your profile and the class syllabus. I believe I can use this for a communication problem and maybe you can consider this as my homework blog, e-mailing you about my problem.
February 12, 2006 3:09 PM
Wow! I am already incredibly impressed with everyone's superb analytical skills. You have all done a good job characterizing the communication problems you encounter on a daily basis as well as thinking of possible solutions. In the coming weeks, we will learn ways to make these descriptions more concise; we will also learn tools for fitting our communication experiences into theoretical frameworks.
As we continue dealing with our daily communication struggles, we must all remember the human elements. Because of this, it is important that you use false names for the people and organizations you discuss (unless, of course, you have explicit confirmation that it is ok to use the actual names of your co-worker, etc.). I will post an ethics outline a bit later in the course.
Great job everyone!
February 12, 2006 3:25 PM
Carol Said...
Journal #1 Miscommunication
Miscommunication is a problem that may occur in a group. That group must than be able to deal with the miscommunication. Three types of miscommunication are misunderstand, non-understanding and misinterpretation.
Misunderstanding is when one group member gains an interpretation that he/she believes is accurate, but in reality is not the interpretation the speaker intended the listener to gain.
Non-understanding is when a group member either does not gain any interpretation at all, or gains more than one interpretation with no way to choose between them.
Misinterpretation is when the interpretation of a group member’s statement suggests that his/her values and beliefs are different from the other group members values and beliefs.
Example
News of the tragedy at a coalmine in the US where a dozen miners were killed would be just another terrible news story were it not for a truly awful element to it. According to news accounts, information emerged initially that one miner had been killed and one other injured, with the rest ok. Scenes of jubilation and relief everywhere. Then the awful truth – 12 had died in the mine explosion and there was just one survivor, the seriously injured miner. A BBC News report quotes relatives saying that information that only one of the miners had survived came about three hours after they had been told 12 were alive. The mining company said it knew within 20 minutes that initial report has Ben Hatfield, president of International Coal Group (ICG), the mine operator, explaining the communication gap: “There was a miscommunication and I don’t know whose end it was, but there was a miscommunication, that resulted in the command center believing they were told that there were 12 survivors,” he said. “And apparently the intention on the part of the rescue teams was to confirm that they had 12 individuals and they were checking vital signs, trying to determine who was a survivor and who wasn’t.” The information was “an incomplete evaluation at the point that it went to the command center”, he said. “Through stray cellphone conversations it appears that this miscommunication from the rescue team underground to the command center was picked up by various people and was relayed through cellphone communications without our ever having made a release, “he added. The company stressed it had never confirmed all 12 men were alive. “But that information spread life wildfire because it had come from the command center, but it was bad information,” he said. Mr. Hatfield said that the company had waited until it could determine which of the miners were dead or alive to tell the families their fate. This is not the moment to level any criticisms at anyone until all facts are clear. Yet it isn’t too difficult to imagine that, in a fast-moving tragic event without any clear communication process-and if there is a situation for command-and-control communication, this is it – unchecked word-of-mouth information travels like lightning. A real tragedy for the families concerned, with calamitous consequences for the company. (ICG is part of the PIRA Energy Group based in New York). No mention of this tragedy anywhere on their website. If I were running their PR or corporate communications, I’d have a statement on the site at least to acknowledge the event to publicly show that the company is wholly aware.
February 16, 2006 4:41 PM
The group I am in we have very good communication skills. We are able to voice our opinion about any thing that concerns us. Like for instance when I really stressed out about the death of my sister they really helped me out. There were a few problems about that occorred in the past but it was resolved. Maureen
May 24, 2006 3:01 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home