Chapter 1: How Managers Communicate

Synopsis
This chapter presents three approaches managers take in their communications: the Arrow, Circuit and Dance approaches. The Arrow manager believes that "effective expression = effective communication" and views the receiver as a passive information processor. The Circuit manager assumes that "understanding = effective communication." This manager believes that understanding will lead to agreement and that understanding should be the primary goal of communication. Both of these approaches simplify the communication process. A preferred approach is to use the "dance" metaphor, which expresses the nuances and complexity of organizational communication. There are many similarities of communication to dance: in both activities there are patterns that emerge and rules, written or unwritten, that govern behavior.

Outline

1. The Arrow Approach
   1. Judging Effectiveness
   2. Explaining Communication Breakdowns
   3. Origins
   4. Evaluation
      1. Weaknesses
      2. Strengths
         
         
2. Circuit Approach
1. Judging Effectiveness
2. Explaining Communication Breakdowns
3. Origins
4. Evaluation
   
   
3. Communication as Dance
1. Communication is used for multiple purposes
2. Communication involves the coordination of meanings
3. Communication involves coorientation
4. Communication is rule-governed
5. Communicators develop a repertoire of skills that may pass from the level of consciousness
6. Communication can be viewed as a patterned activity
7. The beauty of communication is a function of the degree of coordination

IV. Conclusion

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