Communication Climate PDF

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COMMUNICATION CLIMATE. A Communication climate refers to the tone of the relationship as expressed by the verbal and non-verbal messages between people. The communication climate is created by the way people feel about each other. Putnam and Cheney (1985) define communication climate as the atmosphere in an organization regarding accepted communication behaviour. A communication climate can said to either negative or positive. Positive Communication Climate.  A positive communication climate is created when people feel they are valued. In a positive communication climate people interact confidently and courteously.  Their relationships are built on openness, honesty and trust which comes from the goodwill they feel towards one another. 

People are willing to speak with others, to listen carefully, ask questions and offer feedback. Information and ideas are conveyed accurately.

Negative Communication Climate.  A negative communication climate is created when the contribution of individuals is not appreciated. 

A negative climate makes it difficult for people to get and give information and to take action, because it is hard to communicate.

 People feel uncomfortable and unwilling to interact. Consequently, they are less willing to ask questions, or offer ideas and feedback, and are more inclined to wait and see what happens.  The accuracy of the communication declines and interpersonal relationships are less effective in a negative communication climate. Characteristics of Positive Communication Climate.

I. II. III.

Provide supportive message that acknowledge effort, creativity and teamwork. Engage people in the decision making process. Build trust by sharing your concerns and encouraging others to do the same. Do what you say you are going to do and stand by your working teams.

IV. V.

Build openness by sharing information honestly. Emphasize high quality goals. Expend energy on goals that people can stand behind and feel good about. Communicate information needed to get the job done well.

HOW TO CREATE A POSITIVE COMMUNICATION CLIMATE. a. Supportiveness To build a supportive communication climate you need to send messages that acknowledge effort, creativity, and teamwork. A supportive communication climate allows for a better exchange of information and a more positive work environment. b. Participative Decision-Making To create a positive communication climate you need to engage people in the decision making process. You can do this by having employees participate in identifying and solving problems that affect them and their working conditions. Participative decisionmaking means that you assist your employees in setting standards and goals for the work they do. c. Trust An employee trusts in superiors when they have confidence in the superior’s intentions and motives, when the superior has proven to keep his or her word, when they are sincere not only in their dealings with themselves but with other people, and when the employees are not afraid that they will be met with retaliation for supplying negative information. Manager and leaders do not automatically enjoy trust; they must earn it. d. Openness

Openness refers to the candid disclosure of information, particularly negative information and the sharing of feelings and opinions regarding the organization and its activities. Open communication in terms of expressing your ideas and feelings through verbal channels in organizations has led to higher production and better performance within the organization. e. Emphasis on High Quality, High Performance Goals. Placing importance on high quality and high performance goals has to do with the content of the communication that you have with your employees. Such an emphasis is the most important focus of the content of your messages to your employees. Benefits of positive communication Climate. a) It increases employee morale. b) It promotes team building. c) It motivates employees. d) It makes working more fun.

REFERENCES. Putnam, L. L., & Cheney, G. (1985). Organizational communication: Historical development and Future directions. In T. W. Benson (Ed.), Speech communication in the 20th century. (pp. 130–156). Carbondale:Southern Illinois University Press....