8600-326 Understanding the Communication Process in the Workplace

Introduction

Module 8600-326 Understanding the Communication Process in the Workplace is a pivotal component of the ILM Level 3 module dedicated to cultivating a comprehensive understanding of communication dynamics within organizational settings. Communication, being a vital element, plays a crucial role in task accomplishment by providing a platform for sharing information and receiving feedback among team members. Leaders are tasked with the responsibility of establishing effective communication approaches within their areas of authority.

This necessitates not only effective communication with team members but also the transmission of information to senior authorities, ensuring efficient and seamless coordination across different organizational levels. Module 8600-326 is designed to raise awareness about the imperative need for establishing effective communication processes. Its primary objective is to enhance the capacity and knowledge of practicing or potential first-line managers pursuing this unit, empowering them to communicate effectively by identifying critical elements and understanding the relevant cycle that supports effective organizational communication.

Moreover, the unit holds significance as it aids stakeholders within the organization in appreciating communication conducted through diverse methods and platforms, tailored to different situations within the workplace. With a duration of 7 hours of guided learning, this unit contributes 2 credit values toward the completion of the ILM Level 3 module.

Who is this unit suitable for?

Effective communication is crucial for fostering collaboration within organizations involving all stakeholders. Possessing strong communication skills is essential for stakeholders at every level, ensuring the efficient execution of tasks and responsibilities in their respective areas. While all stakeholders share this responsibility, leaders play a pivotal role in establishing a communication culture. Their primary task is to formulate policies and procedures that guide communication processes across all levels of organizational hierarchy.

The course 8600-326 Understanding Communication Process in the Workplace is designed to enhance knowledge and comprehension of communication standards and principles expected in a workplace setting. This unit particularly caters to the learning needs of first-line managers overseeing team activities. It empowers them to recognize communication barriers at their operational level, develop effective strategies to overcome these obstacles and establish communication platforms.

This unit is equally beneficial for leaders at various management levels, as they are collectively responsible for shaping a communication-centric organizational culture and honing effective communication skills within their spheres of operation. Ultimately, the course contributes to creating a work environment aligned with communication principles, producing desired outcomes. External consultants and employees also find value in this unit, as it equips consultants to provide decision-making support and enhances the skills and leadership competencies of employees.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the unit, learners should demonstrate the following abilities:

• Exhibit an understanding of the significance of effective communication in the workplace.
• Recognize different stages within the communication cycle.
• Identify barriers to communication in their areas of responsibility and within the workplace.
• Identify approaches to overcome the identified communication barriers in the workplace.
• Describe the methods of written and oral communication utilized within the organization and their respective areas of application.
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of written and oral methods of communication.
• Explain how non-verbal communication influences the efficiency and effectiveness of oral communication.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the value of feedback in facilitating effective communication.
• Assess personal performance in a chosen method of communication.
• Identify action plans to improve personal communication performance by addressing weaknesses identified in the assessment.

Key Learning Areas

The course 8600-326 Understanding Communication Process in the Workplace is centered on communication principles, aiding learners in identifying key elements crucial for constructing effective communication policies and procedures. The main learning areas within this unit encompass:

Nature and Importance of Communication Process:

• This segment lays the foundational principles for comprehending the communication process. Learners gain insights into the impact of communication within the workplace and the detrimental effects poor communication can have. The focus is on understanding the process and elements of effective communication, emphasizing how these components interact to ensure effectiveness. Learners develop skills to identify potential communication barriers, create action plans to address these barriers and evaluate and improve workplace communication policies and procedures.

Methods of Communication:

• This section guides learners in evaluating various communication types within organizations, such as oral, written, visual, and electronic methods. Understanding the significance of each method and its context in achieving organizational goals is emphasized. Learners also delve into developing active listening skills, non-verbal communication (including body language, facial expressions, and gestures), and techniques for face-to-face and direct communication. Additionally, they learn approaches to collect feedback, enhancing their overall communication capabilities.

Personal Assessment:

• Emphasizing the importance of conducting personal assessments to gauge effectiveness in communicating with diverse stakeholders, this area focuses on guiding learners in understanding techniques for self-assessment and the development of personal communication skills through feedback.

An Assessment

The learners undergo a comprehensive evaluation that encompasses both theoretical and practical skills. This evaluation involves a written assessment designed to measure the mastery of theoretical concepts and their practical application. In addition to traditional written evaluations, the assessment methodology includes simulated exercises, case studies, and supervised practice sessions. These diverse evaluation methods are employed to gauge the learners’ proficiency in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Through this multifaceted approach, the assessment aims to provide a thorough and accurate understanding of the learners’ capabilities in both theoretical understanding and practical application of acquired skills.

Books:

• The Effective Communication Pocketbook by Margaret Butter
• Communication Skills for Managers by Stephen P. Robbins
• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Patricia A. Gronen, Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Al Switzler
• Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most When Stakes Are High by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen

Journal Articles:

• “The Impact of Effective Communication on Organizational Performance” by James A. Burgoon, Michael K. Burgoon, Jodi L. Hale (Journal of Business Communication, 2010)
• “The Role of Communication in Fostering Collaboration and Innovation” by Kathleen A. Eisenhardt (Management Science, 2000)
• “Communication Barriers and Their Impact on Employee Morale” by David A. DeWine (Journal of Communication Management, 2008)
• “The Importance of Feedback in Facilitating Effective Communication” by Susan E. Jackson (Human Resource Development Review, 2009)
• “The Effectiveness of Written, Oral, and Visual Communication Methods in Different Workplace Contexts” by Charles A. O’Reilly III, Jennifer Lynn Parker (Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2011)

Websites:

• The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM): https://leadership.global/: https://leadership.global/
• The American Management Association (AMA): https://www.ama.org/: https://www.ama.org/
• The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): https://www.shrm.org/: https://www.shrm.org/
• The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC): https://iabc.com/: https://iabc.com/
• The Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/: https://www.toastmasters.org/

FAQ

Related Articles:

• ILM Level 3