Gender Communications

Men and women are seen different.  Men and women in conversations caused a topic of discussion by comparing the communication styles of men and women.  Gender theorists’ advice that one reason why a women can’t reach the standard of a men is because of their communication style is less authoritative than that of men. Here are some of their opinions:

                                         Women                                                              Men
Object of talk        Establish rapport, make connections,          Preserve independence, maintain status,

                               negotiate inclusive relationships                   exhibit skill and knowledge

                               Listening behavior Attentive,                      Less attentive,

                               steady eye contact; remain stationary;        sporadic eye contact,                    

                               nod head                                                  and move around

Pauses                   Frequent pauses, giving chance for             Infrequent pauses,   

                               others to take turns                                    interrupt each other to take turns   

Small talk              Personal disclosure                                    Impersonal topics

Focus                     Details first, pulled together at end              Big picture

Gestures               Small, confined                                           Expansive

Method                Questions; apologies’ “we” statements;        Assertions; “I” statements; clear,

                              hesitant, indirect, soft speech                       loud, take-charge speech

Which style is more appropriate for today’s team-based management?

Verbal communications

Verbal communication includes speaking, words, language and sound.  There are two types of verbal communications (oral and written communications).

Oral communication - Oral communication minimizes misunderstandings, but provides no written record. Oral communication can be face to face communication; it can be a conversation over the phone, on the voice chat, and/or over the internet.

Written communication- occurs when two communicators cannot see or hear each other. It is a communication that includes e-mail, announcements, memos, faxes, letters, newsletters, reports, proposals, manuals, presentations, and resumes.

Forms of Communication

                                  Forms                                  Advantages                       Disadvantages

Oral

Communication       Phone call                        Immediate feedback               No permanent record

       Conversation                    Nonverbal clues                      Expression may be
                                                                                       careless or Imorecise

                                 Interview                         Warm feeling                          May be inappropriate
                                                                                                                       for formal or complex
                                                                                                                       ideas

                                Meeting                             Forceful impact

                                Conference                        Multiple input

Written                   Announcement                    Permanent record                   Leaves paper trail

Communication      E-mail, memo, fax               Convenience                          Requires skill

                                Letter                                 Economy                                Requires effort

                                Report, proposal                Careful message                      Lacks verbal cues

                                Newsletter                          Easy distribution                     Seems impersonal

                                PowerPoint presentation   
                                Resume

Non-Verbal communication

Non-verbal communication includes the body language of a person who is speaking. Non-verbal behavior includes eye contact, facial expression, posture, gestures, and the use of time, space, and territory.  

Sending Positive Nonverbal Signals in the Workplace

Eye contact                  - Maintain direct but not prolonged eye contact

Facial expression          - Express warmth with frequent smiles

Posture                        - Coney self-confidence with erect stance

Gestures                      - Suggest accessibility with open-palm gestures

Time                            - Maintain neat, functional work areas

Territory                      - Use closeness to show warmth and to reduce status differences

Business documents     - Produce careful, neat, professional, well-organized messages

Appearance                 - Be well groomed, neat, and appropriately dressed

Based on the information given above, it is evident that communication is a procedure that involves an exchange of information, thoughts, ideas and emotions. Communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender. Information exchanged between people via words, gestures/signs and body language.

Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: Nelson.