The grapevine is an interesting concept to consider. As Robbins and Judge (2009) explains, the grapevine is “an organization’s informal communication network”, and it is prevalent in any and every organization (pg. 359). Wherever two people gather, they are going to talk. This informal communication can be an asset, but it can also be a liability. While it can distribute information quickly, the information may change from person to person, much like the game “telephone.” This can cause significant confusion within an organization. To fight the possibility of incorrect information being shared and the confusion it can cause, “leaders should be quick to openly communicate potential bad news and all decisions that are being made which might negatively
…show more content…
It is the “transfer and understanding of meaning” (Robbins & Judge, 2009, pg. 351). Without transferring meaning, nothing could get done. Without understanding of the meaning being transferred, nothing could get done correctly. It is vital that both the transferring and the understanding of meaning be functioning properly for the most efficient and accurate communication. Thanks to advances in technology, much communication is conducted via the internet. The concept of virtual teams shows a way that whole teams can work together through technology from all corners of the globe. However, communication is not without its barriers, one of which is the cultural barrier. People from different countries, or even different places in the same country, can communicate in different ways, leading to inefficiencies and …show more content…
There can be a pure virtual team where no one has met each other in person, or it can be a hybrid virtual team where some team members work together in one location with other members in different locations (Brandt, England & Ward, 2011). I am currently part of a hybrid virtual team. Most of my team work together on the campus of our university. Our boss however, works about two hours away but comes to campus about every other week. We retain constant communication during the day through various technologies, all with their own specialized purpose. Email is used for items for which we want to keep a “paper trail.” We also use Google Hangout for instant messaging back and forth. This is good for quick questions or comments and allows others to respond when they may not be available for a phone call. Yes, we also use phones. Written communications such as email and instant messaging may be a struggle to convey certain ideas or issues. Sometimes phone calls are the best way to quickly communicate complex ideas that may be difficult via written communication. Even though he is usually two hours away, our boss does a good job of making sure we “understand the spirit and rationale behind what the organization is trying to accomplish” (Fischer,
It is the “transfer and understanding of meaning” (Robbins & Judge, 2009, pg. 351). Without transferring meaning, nothing could get done. Without understanding of the meaning being transferred, nothing could get done correctly. It is vital that both the transferring and the understanding of meaning be functioning properly for the most efficient and accurate communication. Thanks to advances in technology, much communication is conducted via the internet. The concept of virtual teams shows a way that whole teams can work together through technology from all corners of the globe. However, communication is not without its barriers, one of which is the cultural barrier. People from different countries, or even different places in the same country, can communicate in different ways, leading to inefficiencies and …show more content…
There can be a pure virtual team where no one has met each other in person, or it can be a hybrid virtual team where some team members work together in one location with other members in different locations (Brandt, England & Ward, 2011). I am currently part of a hybrid virtual team. Most of my team work together on the campus of our university. Our boss however, works about two hours away but comes to campus about every other week. We retain constant communication during the day through various technologies, all with their own specialized purpose. Email is used for items for which we want to keep a “paper trail.” We also use Google Hangout for instant messaging back and forth. This is good for quick questions or comments and allows others to respond when they may not be available for a phone call. Yes, we also use phones. Written communications such as email and instant messaging may be a struggle to convey certain ideas or issues. Sometimes phone calls are the best way to quickly communicate complex ideas that may be difficult via written communication. Even though he is usually two hours away, our boss does a good job of making sure we “understand the spirit and rationale behind what the organization is trying to accomplish” (Fischer,