Leadership Communication in an

Organizational Context
Bagian Famanily (316-323)
 The Role of Communication in Today’s
Organizations
Redding’s ten postulates on organizational communication illustrate the
“message-centered” approach to organizational communication:
Meanings are not transferred (meaning in the receiver not the sender).

Anything is a potential message (verbal and nonverbal).

Input (especially listening) is an integral part of the communication process.

The message received is the only one that counts since that will deter- mine the receiver’s actions.
Feedback is not only essential in the operation of an organization but messages have both beneficial and harmful
consequences.
The cost factor is ever present (senders and receivers pay with money, energy, and emotions, for every act of
important communication).
Redundancy is critical but it costs, so the need to repeat messages must be balanced against the cost.
Communication overload will occur since receivers only have a lim- ited channel capacity and ability to process
messages.
Serial transmission changes the message; the more people through whom the message must pass, the more likely
distortion will occur.
Organizational climate [culture] of an organization is more crucial than communication skills or techniques in
creating an effective organization.
 Motivating Today’s Workers
A much more recent study found that the following are what a
good manager does to motivate subordinates today:

Provides direct help, Reacts to success and
adequate resources, failures with a learning
orientation versus a purely
time. evaluative one.
Sets clear goals and clarifies Recognizes “real work
where the work is heading progress” and praises
and why it matters.
subordinates for it.

Works collaboratively as Makes things more fun Provides emotional

a peer. and relaxing. support.
 Managing Superior-Subordinate
Relationships

Values
Commu-
Power Trust nication
Culture and
ethics

What kind From both sides; Frequency and The tone the what does
and how is it supervisor trusts style, even organization the
subordinate to medium individual
used. sets for such
do good work value and
and subordinate relationship.
what guides
expects to be his or her
recognized and ethical
treated fairly decisions?