Organizational Psychology

Submitted by
Group 1
 Saima Ashraf
 Arooj ilyas
 Samia Batool
 Sidra Mehmood
 Maida Noor
 Tayyaba Nisar
Organizational
Communication: A Vital
Element in Success
Organizational communication is the lifeblood of any successful
organization. Understanding its processes and dynamics is crucial for
effective leadership, team building, and overall organizational
performance.

by Group 1
The Importance of Communication
Foundation of E ffectivenes s S haping Culture and Morale

Organizational communication acts as the backbone of It plays a vital role in shaping organizational culture and
effective organizations, facilitating coordination, employee morale, fostering a positive and productive
collaboration, and decision-making. environment.
Communication and
Organizational Psychology

1 Motivated Employees 2 Avoiding

Misunderstandings
Effective communication
positively impacts Poor communication can
employee motivation, lead to
engagement, and misunderstandings,
performance, leading to a conflicts, and decreased
more productive productivity, hindering the
workforce. organization's progress.
Communication and
Organizational Ps ychology
 Organizational communication refers to the processes and
systems through which information, messages, and ideas are
shared within and between different levels, departments,
and individuals in an organization.

 Organizational communication refers to the communication

that takes place between people who are working towards
common goals within an organization. It consists of the
interactions that take place for the purpose of working
together towards these goals or conducting business in general
Unders tanding the Communication Model
S ender Mes s age E ncoding
The originator of the message, The information, idea, or Converting the message into a
responsible for initiating the instruction being communicated. form that can be understood by
communication process. It should be clear and concise to the receiver.
avoid misinterpretation.
Continued: Communication
Model
Channel Receiver
The medium through which The individual or group that
the message is delivered. It interprets and understands
can be formal or informal. the message.

Decoding Feedback
The process by which the Feedback is the response
receiver translates the from the receiver back to the
message into meaningful sender, confirming whether
information. the message was understood
as intended
Cas e S tudy: The Hawthorne S tudies

E mployee E ngagement
1

Increas ed Productivity
2
Workers felt valued and responded with improved performance.

Hawthorne E ffect
3 Simply engaging with workers influenced their behavior,
highlighting the importance of communication in the workplace.
Forms of Organizational
Communication

Verbal Communication
Meetings, presentations, phone calls, virtual platforms.

Non-Verbal Communication
Body language, gestures, facial expressions, posture.

Written Communication
Emails, memos, reports, newsletters.
Forms of Organizational Communication

Visual Communication Digital Communication

Involves charts, graphs, infographics, videos, and other Encompasses communication through digital platforms like
visual tools to convey information Zoom, Google meet, and other collaboration tools.
Res earch E vidence: Forms of Communication
Mehrabian's Communication Model (1971)
Albert Mehrabian’s research highlights the importance of various forms of communication, particularly non-verbal
communication. His model states that in face-to-face interactions, communication effectiveness is determined by:

• 55% Body Language (Non-verbal communication)

• 38% Tone of Voice (Paralinguistic features)

• 7% Verbal Conten
The Flow of Communication

1 Downward Communication
Flows from higher levels of hierarchy to lower levels.

2 Upward Communication
Flows from employees to higher levels.

3 Horizontal Communication
Takes place between employees or departments at the same level.

4 Diagonal Communication
Crosses different levels and departments of an organization.

5 Informal Communication
Occurs spontaneously and outside formal communication channels.
E s s ential Communication
S trategies
Clarity and S implicity Active L is tening
Use clear language, present Paraphrase to confirm
key points first, and visualize understanding, avoid
complex information. interrupting, and use non-
verbal cues.

Feedback Mechanis ms Multiple Channels

Use surveys, Q&A sessions, Use email for formality,
and town halls to gather instant messaging for quick
feedback and ensure clarifications, and video
understanding. meetings for collaboration.
Cultural Sensitivity in Communication
Respect Cultural Differences Global Collaboration

Avoid idioms that might not translate well, use visuals and Multilingual training materials ensure all employees
universal symbols, and provide translations. understand new sales processes.
The Importance of Non-Verbal
Communication

E ye Contact
Maintain consistent eye contact during face-to-face interactions.

E nthus ias tic Tone

Use an enthusiastic tone to convey positive messages.

Open Gestures
Avoid crossing arms, which may appear defensive.
Structured Messaging for Clarity

1 Purpose

2 Elaboration

3 Call to Action

Use the "5W+H" framework: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Begin with the purpose, elaborate, and conclude with
a call to action.
E motional Intelligence in
Communication
Recognize and validate the emotions of others. Tailor communication
based on the emotional state of the audience.

Example: During a downsizing announcement, a CEO communicates

empathetically, acknowledging employees' concerns and outlining
support plans.
Visual Communication for
Impact
Use visuals to simplify complex information, enhance retention, and
make communication more engaging.

Example: A logistics company uses a flowchart to explain a new supply

chain process, reducing errors by 15%.
Cas e S tudy: NAS A's Apollo 1 3 Mis s ion
The Apollo 13 mission is a prime example of effective communication under extreme pressure. After an oxygen tank
exploded, the team on the spacecraft and ground control worked seamlessly through clear, structured, and immediate
communication. Their strategies included:

1. Open and continuous feedback loops.

2. Use of precise language to avoid misunderstandings.

3. Cross-functional collaboration through efficient communication channels.

4. Outcome: Despite the crisis, all astronauts returned safely, showcasing the power of effective
Navigating Communication
Barriers
Physical Barriers Semantic Barriers
Poorly designed office Jargon, technical terms, and
layouts and noise can disrupt cultural differences can
communication. create misunderstandings.

Psychological Barriers Perceptual Barriers

Anxiety, stress, and Individual biases and
preconceived notions can assumptions can lead to
affect communication. misinterpretations.
Navigating Communication Barriers

Technological Barriers Cultural Barriers Organizational Barriers

Over-reliance on technology or Differences in cultural norms, Hierarchical structures or
poorly chosen tools can obstruct values, and communication styles inefficient processes can restrict
communication. can hinder understanding. the flow of communication.

Information Overload Attitudinal Barriers

Receiving too much information at once can Negative attitudes, lack of trust, or resistance to
overwhelm the receiver. change can block communication.
Overcoming Communication
B arriers : A Cas e S tudy

1 Challenges at Google
Cultural differences, information overload, and physical barriers
hindered communication.

2 S olutions Implemented
Unified project management tools, cross-cultural training, and
reduced email dependence improved communication.

3 Outcomes
Communication efficiency increased by 40%, with faster project
completions and higher employee satisfaction.
Activity / Game: Charades

1 Pick a theme
Examples: Workplace tasks (e.g., "Hosting a meeting"), communication forms (e.g.,
"Writing an email")

2 Make Team
Divide the class into small groups.

3 Draw a Card
One team member picks a card with a phrase or situation to act out.

4 Act It Out
The player uses only actions (no words or sounds) to show the idea on the card.

5 Guess the Phrase

Team members try to guess the correct phrase before time runs out.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understand the role of non-verbal cues.
• Recognize and address barriers to effective communication.
• Enhance skills in feedback and collaboration.

• Develop awareness of context-specific communication.

Supporting Research:
• Tjosvold & Johnson (2017): Games foster teamwork and communication strategies.
• Mehrabian (1971): Non-verbal communication accounts for 55% of message interpretation.
References
1. Aamodt, M. G. (2010). Industrial/organizational psychology: An applied approach (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
2. Gallup. (2019). State of the global workplace. Gallup. Retrieved from https://www.gallup.com/workplace/238079/state-
global-workplace-2019.aspx
3. Google. (n.d.). TGIF: Google’s open communication culture. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/about
4. Harvard Business Review. (2014). The role of communication in team performance. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from [HBR
5. Knapp, M. (2010). Interpersonal communication in team activities: Barriers and solutions. Journal of Applied
Communication Research, 38(3), 243–262.
6. Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent messages: Implicit communication of emotions and attitudes. Wadsworth.
7. NASA. (1986). Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident. NASA. Retrieved from
https://history.nasa.gov/rogersrep/genindex.htm
8. Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational behavior (18th ed.). Pearson Education.
9. Salas, E., Sims, D. E., & Burke, C. S. (2013). Is there a “big five” in teamwork? Small Group Research, 44(5), 555–571.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1046496413496317
10. Schramm, W. (1954). The process and effects of mass communication. University of Illinois Press.
THANKYOU!
Any Ques tions ? ?