Scribd
Upload
322 views

COM402 Week 3 Tutorial Worksheet

This document contains a memo from a CEO to managers about observing a solar eclipse, along with subsequent memos down the chain of command that become increasingly distorted. It also includes exercises analyzing communication barriers through diagrams of telephone games, cartoons, and case studies. Some key barriers that led to distortions included: - Status differences, as lower-level employees felt they could disregard instructions from higher-ups. - Cultural differences, as social norms like eye contact had different meanings across cultures. - Lack of attention to detail, as messages were not fully understood and inaccuracies crept in as they were passed along. Exercises discuss how to minimize these barriers through actions like ensuring understanding between parties, allowing

Uploaded by

Joytesh Chand
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
322 views

COM402 Week 3 Tutorial Worksheet

This document contains a memo from a CEO to managers about observing a solar eclipse, along with subsequent memos down the chain of command that become increasingly distorted. It also includes exercises analyzing communication barriers through diagrams of telephone games, cartoons, and case studies. Some key barriers that led to distortions included: - Status differences, as lower-level employees felt they could disregard instructions from higher-ups. - Cultural differences, as social norms like eye contact had different meanings across cultures. - Lack of attention to detail, as messages were not fully understood and inaccuracies crept in as they were passed along. Exercises discuss how to minimize these barriers through actions like ensuring understanding between parties, allowing

Uploaded by

Joytesh Chand
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

COM402 TUTORIAL WORKSHEET: COMMUNICATION BARRIERS

AND CHALLENGES FACED BY ENGINEER’S

Exercise 1 Short Answers


Study the diagram below and answer the following questions based on it.

Memo from CEO to Manager:


Today at 11 o’clock there will be a total eclipse of the sun. This is when the sun
dissappears behind the moon for two minutes. As this is something that cannot be
seen every day, time will be allowed for employees to view the eclipse in the parking
lot. Staff should meet in the lot at ten to eleven, when I will deliver a short speech
introducing the eclipse, and giving some background information. Safety googles will
be made available at a small cost.

Memo from manager to Department Head:


Today at ten to eleven, all staff should meet in the car park. This will be
followed by a total eclipse of the sun, which will appear for two minutes. For a
moderate cost, this will be made safe with goggles. The CEO will deliver a
short speech beforehand to give us all some information. This is not something
that can be seen every day.

Memo from Department Head to Floor manager:


The CEO will today deliver a short speech to make the sun disappear for
two minutes in the form of an eclipse. This is something that cannot be
seen everyday, so staff will meet in the car park at ten or eleven. This
will be safe, if you pay the moderate cost.

Memo from Floor Manager to Supervisor:


Ten or eleven staff are to go to the car park, where the CEO will
eclipse the sun for two minutes. This doesn’t happen every
day. It will be safe, and as usual it will cost you.

Memo from Supervisor to Staff:


Some staff will go to the car park today to see the CEO
disappear. It is a pity this doesn’t happen every day.
Questions

1. Mention the type of network displayed by the above diagram.


2. It is evident from the diagram above that the message was distorted.
a. Identify examples of 3 pieces of information that were distorted.
b. Identify at least two communication barriers that led to the miscommunication.
Explain how they work.
3. Discuss two ways the barriers above could be minimised?

1
Exercise 2 Cartoon Interpretation
Study the cartoons below and answer questions based on it.

1. Identify a barrier working in the cartoons below.


2. Explain how this barrier is causing a breakdown in communication.
3. What does the speaker need to do to eliminate/reduce this barrier?

Cartoon 1

Cartoon 2

Cartoon 3

2
Exercise 3 Case Studies
Read the following case studies and:

1. Identify the barrier working in the case studies below.


2. Explain how this barrier is causing a breakdown in communication.
3. What can be done to eliminate/reduce this barrier?

1) Mike, Operations Manager for Solar Solutions, has had communication difficulties about the
daily production of steel in his meetings with James, one of the shift supervisors. James feels that
Mike doesn’t have the authority to talk to him about Steel. So James does his own thing instead
of following Mike’s instructions. Assuming this is an issue of hierarchy, the barrier they face is
related to _____.

 Gender differences
 Language differences
 Status differences
 Cultural differences

2) A U.S. marketing manager is irritated that his counterpart in Japan uses limited eye contact
during a recent visit to his facility. A sign of attentiveness to one represents inappropriate
behavior to the other. This is an example of what type of barrier?

 Cultural
 Gender
 Physical Separation
 Language
 Status

3) Thomas works as a civil engineer for a big business in town. He is only 26 years old and
his boss is really impressed with the way he does his job. Thomas has only been in the company
for three years. There is another civil engineer, Sam, also works with Thomas but is older and
will be 40 in December. He has worked for ten years in the company and is expecting to get the
position of Section Head: Civil Engineering Division when the time comes. After a few days
there is an advertisement for the position of Section Head: Civil Engineering Division. Sam
applies for this position and is pretty certain that he will get this position. However, later in the
week Sam is informed that his application was not successful. He gets very angry when he learns
that Thomas has been given the post. He begins to really dislike Thomas, refuses to assist with
the projects that Thomas has given his team and now has a nasty attitude toward the whole
company.

You might also like