Suggested answers for all questions are included in the Instructor's Manual.
- What is the relationship between understanding the organization as a system and the importance of open, honest, and complete communication to facilitate performance?
- What does it mean to say "you can't not communicate" and why is this idea important to you as a supervisor?
- What are the four parts of the communication system? Why is the context in which communication takes place important to know about?
- What is nonverbal communication, and why do you think the majority of most communication happens nonverbally?
- What types of messages are best communicated face-to-face and why? What types of messages can be communicated effectively in nonpersonal written format and why?
- Describe the three flows of formal communication in an organization and give two or three examples of the nature of communication associated with each flow.
- What is the relationship between an active grapevine and poor formal communication in an organization?
- How do frames of reference cause misunderstanding between people? What are some common frames of reference that get in the way of shared understanding between supervisors and employees?
- What is an effective way to deal with information overload?
- Why should you listen for understanding rather than to formulate your own answer?
- How do status differences interfere with shared understanding for effective cooperation?
- What are some useful techniques for giving effective feedback to employees to improve cooperation and performance?
- What is stereotyping? How does it get in the way of shared understanding?
- How does dialogue work as an effective technique for overcoming frame of reference and other differences that get in the way of effective communication?
Return to Supervision