40 Questions
What is the typical direction of downward communication?
From superior to subordinate
What is a common behavior associated with transmitting bad news?
Avoiding transmission or delegating the task
What is a characteristic of lateral communication?
It occurs infrequently and is of short duration
What type of communication is often inaccurate and emphasizes good news?
Bottom-top communication
In what direction does upward communication flow?
From subordinate to superior
What is the main difference between bottom-top and other types of communication?
Duration of communication
What percentage of organizational communication spreads through the grapevine, according to statistics?
70%
What is the primary reason for the emergence of grapevine communication in organizations?
Lack of transparency and mistrust
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of grapevine communication?
Formal communication channel
What is the first step in effective communication according to the HURIER model?
Understand, then question
What is the first dimension of communicating direction?
Know Your Audience
What is one way to improve your nonverbal communication?
Maintain appropriate eye contact
What is the purpose of aligning on purpose in communication direction?
To achieve a specific goal
What is the purpose of a termination interview according to the text?
To invite someone for an important reason
What is the role of levelling and sharpening in grapevine communication?
To alter information
What is the main difference between formal and informal communication?
Formal communication is official
What is one way to give and receive feedback according to the text?
Through 360° Feedback
What is the benefit of using open and relaxed body language?
It conveys confidence and openness
What is the primary goal of the 5 dimensions of communicating direction?
To achieve effective communication
What is one way to demonstrate active listening?
By maintaining eye contact
What is the main goal of a suggestion system according to the text?
To receive suggestions from employees
What is the purpose of Informal Meetings according to the text?
To give and receive feedback
What is a key benefit of group decision making?
It pools resources and increases acceptance of the decision
What is an obstacle to sensing what matters in organizational decision making?
Noise and complexity
What is a key characteristic of the Rational-Economic model of decision making?
People consider all possible alternatives
What is a type of framing effect in decision making?
All of the above
What is a common imperfection of decisions?
Decisions are often influenced by unconscious brain activity
What is a type of bias in decision making?
All of the above
What is a benefit of using heuristics in decision making?
They reduce the need for detailed information
What is a characteristic of the Administrative model of decision making?
People consider available alternatives
What is a key aspect of Image Theory in decision making?
People adopt a course of action that best fits their individual principles
What is a type of decision-making approach?
All of the above
What is essential to organizational success?
The ability to consistently make timely and sound decisions
What should the manager do during a termination interview?
Listen without interruption and clarify unclear points
What is the primary goal of a termination interview?
To allow the employee to speak and ask questions
Why is it important to act with respect and courtesy during a termination interview?
To ensure a professional interaction
What should the employee do during a termination interview?
Listen without interruption and clarify unclear points
What is the outcome of a well-conducted termination interview?
A clear understanding of the decision and next steps
What is the manager's role during a termination interview?
To listen and answer questions
What is the primary focus of a decision making process in an organization?
Making timely and sound decisions about work, workplace, and workforce
Study Notes
Communication
- Downward communication refers to the transmission of information from top-level management to lower-level employees.
- Upward communication occurs when information flows from lower-level employees to top-level management.
- Lateral communication occurs between employees at the same level of the organization.
- Informal communication involves the sharing of unofficial messages among employees, often through casual conversations, rumors, and gossip.
- Grapevine communication is a type of informal communication that can spread rapidly, but may be inaccurate and altered by personal biases.
- Statistics suggest that 70% of all organizational communication occurs through the grapevine.
Communication Frameworks
- The 5 dimensions of communicating direction are:
- Know your audience
- Cater the content to your audience
- Align on purpose
- Design the process
- Understand, then question
- The HURIER model is a framework for improving communication skills.
Improving Communication Skills
- Give and receive feedback through methods such as 360° feedback, suggestion systems, corporate hotlines, informal meetings, and employee surveys.
- Work on nonverbal communication by maintaining eye contact, using open and relaxed body language, practicing facial expressions, and using purposeful gestures.
- Practice active listening and demonstrate attention to the speaker.
- Termination interviews require clear communication, respect, and empathy.
Decision Making
- Decision making is the ability to consistently make timely and sound decisions about work, workplace, and workforce.
- There are different types of decisions, including nonprogrammed and programmed decisions.
- Certain decisions are made with complete information, while uncertain decisions are made with incomplete information.
- Group decisions can have benefits, such as pooling resources and greater acceptance, but may also have drawbacks, such as wasting time and potential conflict.
Factors Affecting Organizational Decisions
- The Decision Styles Model highlights the different approaches to decision making, including rational, intuitive, and dependent styles.
- Obstacles to consistent decision making include noise, complexity, human nature, and organizational barriers.
Imperfections of Decisions
- People make 35,000 decisions each day, and research suggests that unconscious brain activity determines our choices well before we are aware of them.
- Framing effects can influence decision making, such as risky choice framing, attribute framing, and goal framing.
- Reliance on heuristics can lead to imperfect decisions, including the availability heuristic and the representativeness heuristic.
- Biases, such as hindsight bias, person sensitivity bias, and escalation of commitment bias, can also lead to imperfect decisions.
This quiz covers concepts related to organizational communication, including downward and upward communication, and the reluctance to transmit bad news.
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