Overcoming Barriers to Communication

Solution Preview

Overcoming Barriers to Communication
Communication takes part in a major role in employer-employee relationships in any organization. It also affects the relationships among family members on the management team. Although" effective communication does not guarantee success in certain business" (Zapata, 2008), its absence usually assures problems. Even though lack of knowledge about cultural, beliefs and customs in a diverse organization affects the operation, leaders must act immediately in order to reduce the barriers. The organization should become cultural knowledgeable, reduce language barriers, select appropriate channels of communications to deliver the messages. It imperative to improve communication, leaders must eliminate communication noises, analyze and establish a process resulting in a plan to overcome communication barriers. The result of the combined efforts and plans will allow the communication to flow effectively for a better organization performance.

Problem Situation Model
Case Study
Workplaces today are complex social systems and more diverse than ever. The makeup of the workforces is made up of different genders, races, cultures, ethnic origins, and lifestyles. As a result, today's work environments are becoming increasingly multicultural in nature. While some organizations are just now encountering the effects of a diverse workforce, others are attempting to overcome the difficulties created by such conditions. However, no matter where an organization is in this development, the challenge is to assure its workforce's diversity is an asset, not a liability. Successfully managing in such operational climates is a critical element of both personal and organizational achievement.
Identifying Barriers and Exploration of Issues
In order to be successful multicultural workplace, it is important to develop an understanding for different cultures. Conduct an assessment and find out what motivates the individuals; when a personnel works in a comfortable environment, it produce at a higher expectation. Establish systems where personnel are allowed to improve the quality of the workplace, it makes them feel as contributors to the success of the organization.
As an evaluation of all possible courses of action is conducted, "we need to focus on make the diverse workforce an asset, and anticipate the possible challenges that could be encountered" (Economides, 2008). The multicultural diversity creates challenges in the area of language and job ability. The process of identify the skilled personnel for each area which they will be productive, and asses the language vs. job ability is one of the most difficult challenges. Other option available is to merge non-native speakers with native speaker to improve their language skills. Establish incentive programs to improve all areas. Some of the incentives could be bonuses for certifications or college completion assistance. Some of the major barriers found at diverse organization are:

Lack of Cultural Knowledge- The ability to understand others culture is by learning customs, culture and beliefs. Conducting a detail research will improve the manager posture in reference certain situations and be respectful to their points of views. The cultural value is expressed when "the appreciation of culture and beliefs is demonstrated" (Zapata, 2008). The combination of those factors will facilitate the understanding of culture and eliminate a great barrier.
Cultural Value- Multi-cultural intelligence is the ability to "change the direction of ethnic and/or national conditions" (Novinger, 2001), and quickly learn new patterns of social cooperation with appropriate behavioral responses. This capability is crucial to work effectively in multicultural environments. Thus, connecting future career paths and global business accomplishment with cultural capability is important for leaders to emphasize, with the goal that managers are motivated to acquire new behavior, skills and understand ...