Lesson 5:

Communication
for Work Purposes

Purposive Communication
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to achieve
the following:
1. Discuss the importance of oral communication skills in the
workplace.
2. Describe the pressing challenges encountered by business
communicators.
3. Expound on the fundamentals of online interviews.
4. Discuss the essentials of physical and virtual meetings.
5. Observe the etiquette of face-to-face and online meetings.
6. Show the ability to communicate through independent and
group communicative learning activities
Oral Communication in
the Workplace
These researches have revealed that
effective oral communication skill takes the
top place among the business skills needed
in the company for its quality performance.
Oral Communication in
the Workplace
Oral communication skill in business is highly
valued. Without exception, everybody in
business needs it to communicate details of
information, discuss strategies, map out plans,
close business agreements, work in teams,
and deal with managers, employees, business
partners, guests or clients.
Oral Communication in
the Workplace
Successful businesses have gained their good
reputation because strong communication skill is
fully recognized and developed among
employees. However, some companies’ need for
employees with effective communication skill is
all too often unfulfilled. Some business
transactions miss the mark as business people fail
to convey proper course of communication.
Pressing Challenges
in Workplace
Communication
Communication has always been essential in
any business’ growth and development.
 Oral Communication in the
Workplace
One of these is the team communication issues
and problems among people at work. Common
cases being encountered are those with coworkers
(1) losing trust with others, (2) poor cooperation
among team members, and sometimes (3) the
disapproval or disrespect from colleagues or
immediate superior.
 Oral Communication in the
Workplace
The said problems are considered communication
challenges. The terms refer to the problem when
the manager does not provide feedback or
coaching. If there is no feedback, it means there is
no communication.
 Oral Communication in the
Workplace
Campbell echoed the idea of Leigh Branham, the
author of 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave.
She said, as quoted, that the root problems of
this issue are managers' inattention to people
they supervise. They provide irregular or
nonexistent feedback. People get criticisms
instead of praise. Worse is that feedback is not
 Oral Communication in the
Workplace
To avoid or solve the issue, Branham suggested
(1) improving coaching and feedback especially
among the new recruits; (2) setting up mentoring
programs with experienced employees; and (3)
requiring managers to provide feedback.
Lesson 5:

Communication
for Work Purposes

Purposive Communication
 Top Communication
Campbell identified Issues
top ten communication issues that
business communicators have to consider to be able to avoid
or solve them.
Failure to Listen.
Ineffective listening is a big problem in
communication. Good communication
fails when one doesn’t pay much
attention or plan what to say before one
ends his statement.
To avoid this, speakers have to emphasize
the importance of active listening in the
discussion. Also, point out that
inattentiveness results in a different
understanding of the topic being
discussed. Speakers also have to maintain
eye contact during the conversation or
discussion.
Culture Differences.
The diversity of backgrounds and cultural
customs create communication issues
among team members and leaders.
People would just love to stay along with
people of the same background.
 To avoid it, try to promote “unity in
diversity” wherein team members have to
be assigned to different groups to break
the usual grouping.
Locale or Distance to
Office.
The office location or its distance to its
employees or contributors entails
problem in the communication. The
company usually resorts to email, phone
or video conferencing.
 To solve it, meetings should be done at
the nearest venue and on a regular
schedule. Important issues and solutions
can be posted or sent to all for further
knowledge and verification.
Ego and Attitude.
Self-image or ego often affects team’s
effort to execute plans. One’s arrogance
causes trouble, and more often,
teamwork ends due to one’s defiance.
Arrogant team member could not accept
the fact that he contributes to team’s
 To solve it, the team leader or manager
should promote better understanding as
the group discusses the issue. He has to
re-direct the group to be able to meet the
goals. Calmness and tactfulness help
reduce tension and friction between or
among team members.
Authority or Hierarchy Problems.
The authority that the team leader or
manger demonstrates more often creates
intimidation or gaps with team members.
They become shy and hesitant to
approach or talk to their manager for
authority being shown doesn’t create
 To resolve, managers or team leaders
should promote harmoniously relation
among the team members. Communicate
to the members about the intention of
helping and letting them feel they are
important. And they can approach the
managers for consultation or discussion
on personal or work-related issues.
Poorly Written Communication.
The confusion or misunderstanding of in
interoffice business communication is
due to poor content of written
documents, substandard organization,
fractured grammar, among other flaws in
written interoffice materials.
 To avoid it, ensure that documents are
well-edited and proofread by best editor
in the department. Allow other eyes to
check for mistakes in grammar, spelling,
punctuations, and organizations.
Gender Bias.
The choice of which gender makes a
more effective leader in the department
is an issue of gender bias. This gender
discrimination creates problem in the
organization.
 To avoid this, team leaders or managers
should ensure that the issue of gender
choice is set aside in tackling issues or
taking a course of action for the department.
Speak about concerns without engaging in
demeaning oneself. Avoid gender-biased
language or terms that connote gender. For
example, use chairperson for chairman or
chairwoman.
Focus or Listening Problems.
Inability of employees to focus on the
issue is equivalent to listening problems.
The generation gap is often the cause of
communication barrier that affects the
achievement of department goals.
To help avoid it, leaders or managers have to
initiate mutual understanding regardless of
age. Encourage teamwork and unity despite
differences of age, sex, social status, and
family background. Understand one’s
weaknesses and capitalize on one’s strength.
Inadequate Knowledge.
Little knowledge is dangerous. Hence,
team performance is affected due to
ineffective education or lack of
understanding or other inadequate
knowledge foundation.
To resolve it, leaders or managers encourage
team members to upgrade knowledge by
pursuing higher degree programs. Include in
the annual target plan the participation of
members to seminar, training or
conferences. Promote reading culture in the
department and productive focus group
discussion.
Cliques, Groups and Friendships.
Group membership or group affiliation or
exclusive grouping of team members can
sometimes create segregation.
 To avoid it, promote teamwork spirit in the
department. Conduct team building activities
to promote objectivity, teamwork,
cooperation, and unity in diversity.
Application:
Interview a professional (preferably related to your
chosen degree program) and ask him/her about the
following:
a) Personal challenges/struggles in
communicating at work
b) Strategies employed in overcoming the
communication challenges/struggles
Format for your task:

1. Use a short bondpaper for this.

Questions: Answers:

Answer 1:
1. Personal challenges/struggles in communicating at work

Answer 2:
2. Strategies employed in overcoming the communication

challenges/struggles