Communication

Dr Kelly Gerling (2000) identifies the following barriers and blockers to organizational communication:

Physical obstacles- distance, different buildings, different staff rooms
Misused authority structures- where the "chain of command" as implied by the typical organizational chart, can inhibit the flow of healthy and necessary information and connections;
Problems of rank when it is used to push particular ideas and demean the thinking of others
Defensive behaviour
Traditional organizational habits – we often need to question why things are as they are- eg when we meet, where we meet, what and how we do things. Are our activities actually achieving the best they can in terms of morale, productivity and problem-solving.

Kelly suggests the following as methods for the promotion of enhanced organizational connection, respect and learning:

Creating group conversations – through circular meetings, establishing a topic for group conversations, using a facilitator, respecting group silences for reflection, exploring assumptions to ensure the creation of new agreed courses of action, appreciate others, to apologise and restore relationships
Telling stories – stories are a great way to convey and reinforce the values, motives, strengths and origins of a community. Stories create a sense of equality among people and help enhance relationships and co-operative behaviour.
Making music, having fun and playing games – everyone within our organization has amazing talent- put them in a group, give them some bells, drums, wooden instruments and presto…. They play great improvisational music. The patterns of interaction in making music are just like the patterns needed for a good group discussion; they include careful listening, allowing pauses, letting each person be a leader at different times, using differences to create a larger, better group performance, and stopping what you are doing when it doesn’t fit with the group needs. Education Queensland at all levels needs all our dance and music to help renew the spirit of our community.
Making presentations – many of the skills of oratory and presentation when learned and used can lead a group to learning together.
Listening and sharing information by managers – leaders, again at all levels in our organization, need to listen with an open mind and heart to the requests that people make. Staff do not necessarily want a "yes" to every request or a solution to every problem; they do want to be heard, to understand and participate in guiding the organization, while being treated with dignity and respect.