Org Comms info from my buddy Duke

Ever see this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redding%27s_Ten_Postulates

Communication Within the Organization: The Interpretive Review of Theory and Research (pg 27-138)In what can be considered the first reputable textbook in the field of Organizational Communication, ‘‘Communication Within an Organization: The Interpretive Review of Theory and Research, Redding discusses the Ten Postulates of OrganizationalCommunication.

1.Meanings are not transferred: This postulate refers more to the receptiveness of the receivers. If a message was not received correctly Redding refers to that as content fallacy. With the concept of content fallacy the sender believes that they are getting through to the receiver just because they, the sender, understand the message that is being sent.

2.Anything is a potential message: This postulate includes both verbal and non verbal cues and messages being received as a message.

3.Input (specifically listening): in his novel, Redding discusses how to be a good listener. He utilizes the example of a participative manager listening to his subordinates in an empathetic manner.

4.The message that is received is the one that will bring action: the message that is sent and received is the one that will be acted up on. Redding states that the receiver will reference their personal experiences as a point of reference to act up on the message received.

5.Feedback: (Responsiveness and Receptiveness): this postulate deals with feedback within an organization from both managers and subordinates. Feedback receptiveness refers to how much feedback managers welcome from subordinates. Responsiveness refers to how much feedback managers give. Redding also notes that there is a difference between being open, responding, and being receptive to feedback are three separate things.

6.Cost Factor: Communication requires energy. Redding discusses this formula: efficiency = effectiveness/cost. Ultimately, more communication does not equal more effectiveness.

7.Redundancy: this postulates deals with the repetition of messages and how effective and comprehensive the messages are.

8.Communication Overload: this postulate deals with an individuals limit of processing messages. Messages may not be properly received if too many messages or noise is interfering with reception of messages.

9.Serial Transmission Effect: This postulate refers to change of meaning within a message. This can occur when information is traveling through various people within a network. Messages are liable to get distorted.

10.Organization’s Climate: Redding believed that an organization’s climate was far more important than its skills or techniques. He even theorized an “ideal managerial climate” which consisted of 5 parts.
a. Supportiveness
b. Participative decision making
c. Trust, confidence, and credibility
d. Openness and candor e. Emphasis on high performance goals.

In Redding’s book, Communication with the Organization: Interpretive Review of Theory and Research, he supports these postulates with research from various studies. He was an avid believer in investigating messages and message related practices.[5] __._,_.___