Communication

Hao Zhao, Ph.D.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Purposes of
Communication
 To direct action
 To achieve
coordinated
action
 To share
information
 To develop
friendships
 To build trust and
acceptance
The Communication
Process
Continuum of Communication
Media
 Intonations: It’s the Way You Say It!

Why don’t I take you to dinner

tonight?

7 different meanings depending on how you

say it
Become an Active Listener
Tips for active listening:
Ask questions and put the
speaker’s ideas into your own
words.
Avoid jumping to conclusions or
evaluating the speaker’s remarks.
Make sure you understand
another’s ideas before you
formulate your reply.
 Grapevine Communication
 Grapevine Characteristics
 Not controlled by management
 Perceived by most employees as being
more believable and reliable
 Largely used to serve the self-interests
 Results from:
 Desire for important information

 Conditions that cause anxiety

 US vs. China
 Americans prefer strong words: perfect,
best
 Chinese prefer moderate/modest words
 No small eggs or coffee cup in the US
 US: self-first, China: group-first, guest-
first
 US: accuracy, China: vague & flexibility
 Cross-cultural
communication
 Verbal: Be clear, simple, slow, and
repeat
 Nonverbal: visual aid, gestures, eye
contact
 Silence: Do not jump to fill the silence
 Assumptions: poor grammar &
pronunciation does not equate to lack
of intelligence
 Checking comprehension: Let them