BABBLERS AND TALKERS, BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN AN ORGANIZATION

Contributed by Jenalyn S. Aquino – Luakan National High School, Dinalupihan, Bataan

We cannot live by ourselves alone. We need other people to exchange idea with, to talk to and to mingle with. As Franklin P. Jones puts it “perhaps no man is more articulate than one who can give directions without taking his hands out of his pockets.” The great Greek philosopher Plato, said a long time ago that “As empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers. Shakespeare, a famous English poet, said,”Talkers are no good doers.”

These above-mentioned quotes are worth-pondering on for they delve on the value of sound talks and actions. In other words, a talker does not accomplish much for a lot of time is wasted on babbling instead of decisive action. Communication and interrelationships are synonymous with each other but the opposite is the babbler or talker. In simply babbling or a talking, one does not necessarily establish communication. If the message is not conveyed well, then no communication happened.

You may have observed by now that the good administrators, teachers and other workers are those who concentrate on their task. They finish their work on time with fewer errors committed. Whereas, those who boast about their expertise, prowess and talents are usually the ones who commit errors and even create problems.

On the other hand, many are surprised to know that according to some research on management practices, at the root of a large number of organizational problems is poor communication.

Webster defines communication as: the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs; a document or message imparting news, views, and information; ascending of messages and orders; activity by one that changes the behavior of another. According to William Butler Yeast, a famous writer, Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.”

What are some of the impacts of the lack of communication in an organization? Why employees do not communicate in the work place? How do employees within an organization communicate? How does an organization implement an effective communication plan? Where must this plan start? Does your organization grasp the importance of effective communication skills? Is organizational leadership committed to making communication happen? Why do some organizations not adapt communication policies? What are the benefits of an effective communication plan?

Management in an organization must know how to communicate, create an atmosphere for staff to communicate, be able to teach communication, and have a communication plan that is used, works, and is continued with. As Geraldine Kilbride says, “Communication is the ‘lifeblood’ of every organization. People in organizations typically spend over 75% of their time in an interpersonal situation. Communication is easier understood in the business environment when viewed as being a personal process that involves the reception and transfer of information.

Communication is a 2-way process of giving and receiving–understanding what has been communicated and the transfer of information from you to others. “Communication is a basic human activity” and “enables us to connect with each other” (Pihulyk, 2003, Michael Langley, 2006).

A successful business must have good interpersonal, organizational, and external levels of communication. It is not just the flow of information between people but also a process of “creating, shaping and maintaining relationships and enacting shared values, common culture, agreed goals, and means for their achievement.

Clegg (2005);pointed out that communication is critical in all aspects of life, in business and personal relations. On the other hand, Langley (2006) emphasized that without communication “our whole way of life would crumble.” How do we know we are an effective communicator? Langley further said that an effective communicator is measured by “how well the listener is heard”. What this means is how the person who is listening understands, responds, and acts within the timeframe requested.

Employees need to be able to provide feedback within an organization for the communication to be successful, thus the success of what is being communicated. Mark Twain sums up communication nicely, “The difference between a good word and the right word is the same as the difference between a lightning bug and lightning.” Communication, by far, has a greater impact than any other skill in any organization.

Good communication and interrelationship skills are very important, for through it, you can express your ideas and opinions to your teammates, while talkers and babblers can allow the day pass without accomplishment.

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