Question

Interdepartmental politics is a major problem with communication. Which of the following actions can managers take to resolve this problem? Check all that apply. When creating teams, choose people with wide differences in rank within the organization. Establish goals for communication in advance. Focus communication on achieving a certain task or outcome. Create dotted-line relationships to formalize communications.

Answer 1

Answer:

Establish goals for communication in advance.

Focus communication on achieving a certain task or outcome.

Explanation:

In a large organisation of both corporate and non-profit nature, communication between departments can be often hindered by interdepartmental politics.

For example, let us take a large non-profit organisation that has dozens of departments. They work on different geographical areas and are subject to funding distribution by the central office. Thus, when Department A is asked to help Department B with its new project, leadership of the Department A may not be so eager to do so. As a result, communication becomes slow and ineffective. Meanwhile, if the central office manager should:

• Establish clear goals of the communication in advance (to have three video calls and communicate Department A's expertise in the area)  

• Focus communication on achieving a certain task or outcome (provide a report on the Department B project proposal and offer  specific solution to challenges they are currently facing with its planing).