Factors Impacting on Communication in today’s Workplace

This document discusses the key factors impacting communication in today’s workplace, including technology, leadership style, and attitude. It explores how technology has influenced communication efficiency, the impact of leadership style on communication, and the importance of source credibility. The document emphasizes the significance of effective communication for organizational success.

Student’s Last Name 1
Management Communication
By (Name)
Course
Professor
University
Date

Student’s Last Name 2
XYZ MEMORANDUM
TO: Director of Communications
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT: Factors Impacting on Communication in today’s Workplace
Introduction
Following your request to investigate the key impacts on communication, I have identified
technology, leadership style, and attitude as the three primary factors impacting communication
in the workplace. The memo provides narrowly scoped information on these factors by making
extensive references to existing studies to avoid duplication.
Context
Regardless of an organization’s size, ownership, size or any other factor that differentiates them,
they all have a communication system. Hence, communication is an essential tool for all
companies because an organization consists of employees who have to continuously
communicate with the intended goal of attaining organizational objectives. Communication in
the workplace facilitate sharing of ideas, messages, including information, and without it, goals
and objectives cannot be achieved.
Discussion
An organization’s level of technology determines the efficiency of communication on the basis
of speed and accuracy. A firm that uses hand delivered mails to communicate cannot be
compared with an organization that uses the internet such as through electronic mails to
communicate. Argenti (2006) notes that technology has facilitated the electronic connection of
employees and managers rather than physical communication. With less face-to-face
communication, it is difficult for management to communicate the organizational culture, vision,
and values. Using technology, the staff become bolder than before and access an information

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source without having to wait for the managers to dispatch packaged corporate messages. In
addition, the staff can distribute their own information regarding a company to outside audiences
as suggested by Schess (2012) “Cyberspace gives people more than an illusion of protection... It
allows for false fronts, a false bravado....”
Leadership style is the other factor that affects communication in the workplace. For instance, a
company that uses either authoritative or dictatorship leadership style may experience poor
communication because communication is a one-way scenario. Analyzing published reviews and
through primary research, Argenti (2017) notes that C-suite acknowledges that employees are
more creative, productive and are devoted to doing their job when they are adequately informed
and are happy about their work. Building a powerful and aligned culture requires that the
management ensures there is transparency, encourage feedback, and maintain a strong two-way
dialogue. Bartrina (2016) supports this idea by stating “The boss’s behavior drives climate,
which arouses motivation. And aroused motivation is a major driver of bottom-line
performance”.
The credibility of the source of information is the other factor affecting communication in the
workplace. In an organization, many individuals tend to look at the source of information before
they listen and acting on the message. In the instance that the sender can be trusted, the
communication will be effective. According to Argenti (2017), especially during transformation
or in crises, an organization’s leader should be present, and should be the source of information.
Argenti (2002) supports this by stating “The presence and even the voice of the CEO, in
particular, was critical to restoring the organization to normalcy or moving the organization to a
new place”.
Conclusion
As illustrated, communication is important in the workplace and if an organization is to be
successful, communication should be managed properly. Communication ensures correct
delivery of information and feedback is obtained. To ensure communication is effective, the
management may consider giving incentives or allowances during meetings to encourage the
employees to listen.

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Bibliography
Argenti, P., 2002. Crisis communication. Lessons from 9/11. Harvard Business Review, 80(12),
pp.103-9.
Argenti, P.A., 2006. How technology has influenced the field of corporate
communication. Journal of business and technical communication, 20(3), pp.357-370.
Argenti, P.A., 2017. Strategic communication in the c-suite. International Journal of Business
Communication, 54(2), pp.146-160.
Schess, N.B., 2012. Then and Now: How Technology Has Changed the Workplace. Hofstra Lab.
& Emp. LJ, 30, p.435.