Communication Scenario
Situational Overview - The situation involves two individuals within a department inside a large industrial organization, Bing (employee) and Hart (supervisor). It appears that Bing is taking 2-3 electronic panels to his workbench, inspecting them together, and charging double or triple set-up time for his work. Hart has received a number of complaints about this and finally confronted Bing. Bing was upset about the confrontation, and brought in the Union representative.
Bing's view is that Hart is negatively focused on him directly, jealous because he has musical talent and works outside of the job. He portrayed Hart's comments as sarcastic and puerile, without anything constructive to say. Hart's view is that Bing is cheating and has been asked several times to stop the behaviors, but refuses to do so. Hart believes that he has the responsibility to the company to ensure honesty, and simply can no longer tolerate Bing's abuse of the position.
Analysis - Proper communications are an essential part of any organization. Communication comprises a number of ideas and modes, but to be effective it implies a two-way dialog in which regardless of agreement, both sides...
We can use a very simply model to identify the breakdown in communication between Bing and Hart:
Purpose
Identification and change of a behavior unsupported by management.
Sender
Hart, Department Manager initiated communication
Receiver
Bing, Department employee
Message
Multiple set-up charging is not part of company personnel; excessive singing during working hours is disruptive and counterproductive to the working environment.
Environment
Professional business environment. Communication took place between Hart and Bing alone.
Technology
Verbal
Noise
Presuppositions on both sides; tendency towards sarcasm, inability to empathize with the other point-of-view.
Feedback
Rather than open and honest feedback, Bing went to Union representative which, in effect, shut down communications between both sides.
(Gregory, 2010)
Decision Making Traps- While Bing was clearly in violation of ethical company practices,…
