Help! I’m on a Conference Call

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a source of noise. Linguistic style is “a person’s characteristic way of speaking”, the linguistic style is shaped by the voice tone, speed and volume, pauses, words chosen, and any manners that affect the speech. Differences in linguistic styles can result in ineffective communication and can be difficult to resolve since most people are not aware of their own linguistics styles. Cross-cultural differences also cause misunderstandings and sometimes confuse the parties involved in the communication process. Long pauses, culture traditions in personal treatment, different formal/informal and direct/indirect approaches can be determinants delaying and interrupting the communication process (Georges & Jones, 2015, pp. 499-500).

4. When are conference calls likely to be most and least effective in organizations?

Conference calls are likely to be most effective when rules are set and satisfied and participants introduce themselves at the beginning of the conference call and make a brief introduction of their roles. Also by keeping the number of participants under nine and letting participants to function as moderators are useful measures for effective conference calls (Landro, 2014, p. 505). Additionally, being aware of the existence and implications of different linguistics styles, and learning about the costumes, cultural differences related to the people who are going join the conference call are also valuable measures to increase effectiveness in the communication process Georges & Jones, 2015, pp. 499-500). Lack to implement these type of proactive actions will result in conferences calls with a low degree of effectiveness.

References

George, J. M., & Jones, G. R. (2015), Chapter 16: Promoting effective communication. In Contemporary Management (9th ed., pp. 474-505), New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Landro, L. (2014, February 18), “Help! I am on a conference Call.” in Contemporary Management (9th ed., pp. 505-506). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.