Chapter 2: What is Communication, Anyway?

Synopsis
This chapter presents ten propositions about communication that provide a framework by which to judge the communication process. These propositions provide insight into what happens in the mind of the sender and receiver and why communication problems occur. The propositions, such as language is inherently ambiguous and meaning construction is a product of the interaction of content and context, try to capture the highly fluid and dynamic nature of the communication process. Meanings are not simply the product of the actual words or behaviors of senders; they are influenced by the broader context of unwritten organization rules and the corporate culture.

What can managers do to facilitate this process? Managers can explore the employees' context and think in terms of possible misinterpretations of their messages. Additionally, by carefully framing messages and being attentive to secondary messages, they can more accurately predict the probable interpretations.

Outline

1. Propositions
   1. Language is inherently ambiguous
   2. The communication process can best be described in terms of probabilities
   3. Context shapes the probabilities by creating default assumptions that solidifies interpretations
   4. A context is developed through the dynamic process of individuals interacting
   5. The context can become so powerful that it acts like a black hole
   6. Context construction is uniquely sensitive to time sequencing
   7. Communicative content and context interact to produce meaning
   8. Meanings may be constructed without any message at all
   9. There are secondary messages in every communication event
   10. Even though interpretations are relative, the process of meaning construction is not
       
       
2. Implications of the Propositions
1. Explore the employees' context
2. Think about the possible interpretations (and misinterpretations) of messages, events and symbols
3. Clarify potentially ambiguous comments with the "blackout" tactic
4. Pay attention to secondary messages
5. Be aware of the "law of large numbers"
6. Carefully frame messages
7. Sculpt the proper context
   
   
3. Conclusion

Take the Chapter 2 Self Test