How could communication be affected by leadership style?
Communication could be affected by the leader’s interpersonal style. Someone using the avoidance style might be quiet and reserved with a wait and see attitude when addressing a conflict instead of facing it head on. While someone who is using assertiveness as a leader in their interpersonal style might be seen as outspoken or outgoing. Likewise someone whose leadership style utilizes aggressiveness might be viewed as abrupt or competitive.
Vocal variety and paralanguage discussed in Chapters 7 and 9 deal with some different factors. Vocal variety is the varying use of the vocal aspects of volume, rate and pitch. Likewise, paralanguage refers to the rate pitch and volume qualities of the voice that interrupt or temporarily take the place of speech and affect the meaning of the message. Because of vocal variety and/or paralanguage by the leader, one can emphasize even further avoidance, assertiveness or aggression.
It can make a leader using avoidance appear much more shy or timid when in fact they may just be quiet, reserved and/or avoiding conflict. Vocal variety and paralanguage can also make one who is assertive seem more determined. If they say, ‘maybe’ like sort of or, ‘maybe’ like we will see as a matter of fact instead of reference to a pause or other communication style. Vocal variety and paralanguage could make an aggressive leader seem mean or rude if they give an order for instance. For example, ‘you need to go over there and fill out that form.’ It could be stated as a desire of need or necessity of the event. But in another case, the leader might emphasize, “you” and places intensity on time as in right now with using nonverbal communication.
On another point, the text mentions interpersonal styles. The next part furthers this. One would prefer compliance gaining behavior from their leader, mentioned in chapter 3. Compliance gaining behaviors are attempts made by a communicator to influence another person to do something that the person otherwise might not do. “Results from classroom studies suggest that a supportive communication style is associated with greater satisfaction among students and that a dominant communication style is associated with less intrinsic motivation.”(DeVries, R.E., Bakker-Pieper, A., & Oostenveld, W) Communication is affected by leadership style by the style of supportive communication style being a compliance gaining behavior.
In addition assertiveness as an interpersonal communication style may be viewed as a supportive leadership style as it facets productivity within supply chain management. Assertiveness is defined as self-enhancing, expressive communication that takes into account both the communicators and other’s needs. The results from classroom studies suggested a supportive communication style goes hand in hand with interpersonal communication style.
Finally women and men communication styles might also be affected by outside factors such as women’s cycle (her period), men’s balding or gray hair, to thin, or too fat and so on. The ways communication style could affect productivity are potential insecurities might slow down productivity or it may increase productivity dependent upon the effects of impression management, mentioned in Chapter 3. Impression management is the attempt to control the impression of ourselves that we present to others in any communication situation. The nonverbal communication of bodily movement and facial expressions in communication style may affect productivity. Communication is affected by leadership style. In future research one could contend how leadership is affected by communication. But for now while style affects leadership, this discussion reasons that communication style causes reactions that are affected by leadership style, by assertive communication behavior, aggressive communication behavior, avoidance communication behavior, impression management, nonverbal communication, vocal variety skills, compliance gaining behaviors (compliance resisting behaviors) and the list is not exhaustive.
How do differences in men and women’s communication styles affect productivity at work?
After reviewing a research study conducted by Larry R. Smeltzer and James Werbel, one can conclude that there may be no difference in men and women communication style to affect productivity at work. Communication affecting productivity at work is the result of the communicator. And it is emphasized that the idea of a difference in communication style stems from stereotypes. “Although very few actual differences in the communication of males and females are empirically documented, stereotypical assumptions, perceptions, and expectations concerning the linguistic behavior of the sexes persist” (Smeltzer, Larry & Werbel, James). They even further call it a cultural stereotype.
So maybe the differences between men and women stereotypes affect productivity at work and not communication style. Smeltzer and Werbel state, “If females are thought to be emotional, indecisive, submissive, supportive, and interpersonally-oriented, then it is natural that their speech is rated likewise” (Smeltzer, Larry & Werbel, James). It would be good for women to be aware that their communication style might interact with stereotypes but that as leaders good communication style may still affect productivity in a good way. They continue, “If males are seen as behaving aggressively, objectively, bluntly, and decisively, then their communication will probably be rated consistently with that sex role image” (Smeltzer, Larry & Werbel, James). As a result of stereotypes negative things like missing out on potential job opportunities can occur. “Women may believe they must conform to stereotypes by acting in accommodating, unassertive ways; they may have more difficulty being taken seriously by others and thus receive fewer promotions and raises.” (Walker, Robyn) Missed opportunities because of communication style stereotypes are unfortunate. If we are not aware of these potential mishaps this could affect out productivity at work including differences between men and women communication efforts.
The study researched difference in men and women’s communication style and strived to answer three questions regarding this. They are as follows:
- Do females use a different communication style than males in managerial communication situations?
- Is the quality of females’ communication different from that of males in managerial communication situations?
- Do senders’ communication style and quality differ as a function of the receivers’ gender?
They sampled 79 MBA students. 39 were female students and 40 were male students. All students had completed a Master’s level course in communication. They wrote a persuasive memo and persuasive letter which would be graded by a trained group of people. This trained group was also 50% male and 50% female. And this trained group of people would score a rating to each writings communication style. They found, “the research found no differences between men and women on any of the measures of quality…Also, no difference is found on other measures of quality such as clichés, clarity, or negative tone” (Smeltzer, Larry & Werbel, James). This research disproves certainties that any qualitative variances occur between amid men and women when it comes to communication style.
Gender may affect communication style because they might be homosexual, heterosexual, or attracted the receiver of the message. The verbal and nonverbal communication style also entails when the communication likes or dislikes an aspect of the receiver and may be using interpersonal styles in combination of one another.
Why is it important to understand the differences in men and women communication style?
It is important to understand the differences in men and women communication style so one may know how to react or respond and where they are coming from or the background of the leader, thereby empathizing with their communication style. Understanding communication style can have an effect on personal finances as well. It can cause one to react to the leader’s communications in an interpersonal way that may cause a promotion or pay raise and escape a demotion. Relating to the leaders communication skills can assist in identifying with the variations in the leaders communication style.
Communication Styles are important because it can affect a promotion. When women and men communicate differently it can have the effect of getting promoted or cause a demotion to occur. Men and women obtain pay raises and promotions in equally when it comes to fair treatment. States like California and Washington D.C. have chosen to increase their state minimum wage by the years January 2022 for California and July 2020 for Washington D.C. to $15.00 an hour. This impacts the economy in great ways but the wage increase goes to both men and women communicating differently in style. Communication style is important because it may be the reason one earns a certain amount of money above or below various state minimum wages while occupying a different state. More so, the way one communicates impacts strongly because, “no laws are violated when one is paid more if one has more authority. But if an employee’s sex predicts his or her amount of authority, then authority level becomes a covert replacement for direct sex-based pay discrimination.” (Alkadry, M.G. & Tower, L.E.) Communication style can impact a promotion or in this case a pay raise. Communication style causes money to become an issue in the workplace because of these potential occurrences. Minimum wage would be around $21.00 an hour if it kept up with productivity and the growth of the economy. Occupations where women can earn more are often dominated by men, such as a doctor and if not lawyers, then the judges that preside over their court room.
Occupational segregation occurs when women are segregated in certain occupations, such as social services, education, and nursing. Underrepresentation of women in many traditionally male occupations remains a major problem…and this underrepresentation of women in higher paying [jobs] subsequently results in a widening wage gap between men and women. Compensation for women is generally higher in male-dominated occupations, but men consistently earn more in male dominated, gender mixed, and female-dominated occupation industries. (Alkadry, M.G. & Tower, L.E.)
The number of women who have served the presidency of the United States and the number women on the United States Senate all must have a communication style as a potential leader. This communication style is important because it can alter how voters decide to vote and impact legislative laws.
What cultural and society factors affect men’s and women’s communication style?
Race, is a society factor that may affect communication style. There was a finding for racial minority clients and it was “found that the cultural adaptations (e.g. matching client-counselor language and race/ethnicity incorporating clients’ cultural values, increasing access to treatment) were important predictors of counseling effectiveness” (Kim, B.K., & Park, Y.S.). Because of existing factors like racism and bigotry and socialistic things like people marrying those of the same race, religion, culture and so on, this may affect communication decisions among men and women. Maybe marriage is seen as more effective or less likely of divorce in same ethnicity relationships since matching client-counselor language and race can be more effective.
Another situation is when one is in dispute and their interpersonal communication style and whether they use interpersonal, aggressive or avoidance. “Asian college students were in a conflict situation, they used more obliging and avoiding styles than their counterparts in the United States, who were more direct in addressing the conflict” (Kim, B.K., & Park, Y.S.). Maybe in the United States our society factor make people choose to get down to business and when considering the issue, discuss what is going on to fix it. While it appears in the United States a more assertive discourse appears while with Asian Americans a more avoiding communication style appears affected by their cultural and society factors. In addition to Asian Americans style, Korean students may also use an avoiding style. “Korean college students more strongly emphasized the importance of not hurting the listener’s feelings and of minimizing imposition in comparison with their counterparts in the United States.” (Kim, B.K., & Park, Y.S.)
In regards to gender, cultural and society factors that affect men and women’s communication style may be religion. A woman, “a veterinarian, made a house call to an Iranian man…At the end of the visit, [she] thanks [him] for his help and reaches to shake his hand. He smiles gently and steps back, not taking her hand” (Moffett, Jenny) His religion forbids him from touching the hand of any woman not a relative. But in our society people are affected and in this case, the woman veterinarian was somewhat hurt. Religion is a cultural and society factor between men and women that can affect communication.
Also gender affecting communication is feminism. For thirty years in Australia women’s communication was affect by feminism. “This change was associated not only with a broader turn to social and cultural history but also with the radical rethinking of the content of more traditional fields of political and labor history” (Curthoys, Ann) Women’s communication is altered by social and cultural history and influenced by ways of thinking. In today’s society, the stereotypical feminism may not be as prominent as it once was, yet our culture’s communication is affected by it still in the workplace and in this case, political and labor history.” It appears women may secretaries or executive assistants more than managers, directors, or Vice Presidents. Society stereotypes affecting feministic communication might be having babies and staying out of the workforce for a while. Feminism affects our culture and societal communication among the genders.
BY: Rosette Jones (Zacie /Lightening/Perfect/ Diamond)
References
- Alkadry, M.G. & Tower, L.E (2011). Covert Pay Discrimination: How Authority Predicts Pay Differences between Women and Men. Public Administration Review, 71(5), 740-750
DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2011.02413.x
- Curthoys, Ann (2014). Gender in the Social Sciences. Australian Feminist Studies, 29 (80), 115
DOI: 10.1080/08164649.2014.930553
- DeVries, R.E., Bakker-Pieper, A., & Oostenveld, W (2010) Leadership=Communication? The Relations of Leaders’ Communication Styles with Leadership Styles, Knowledge Sharing and Leadership Outcomes. Journal of Business & Psychology, 25(3), 367-380
DOI: 10.1007/s10869-009-9140-2
- Kim, B.K., & Park, Y.S (2015). Communication Styles, Cultural Values, and Counseling Effectiveness with Asian Americans. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93(3), 269-279.
DOI: 10.1002/jcad.12025
- Moffett, Jenny (2014). Diverse Communication Styles: Bridging the Gap. Veterinary Team Brief, 44-46.
- Smelzter, L. R. & Werbel, J. D. (1986). Gender Differences in Managerial Communications: Fact or Folk linguistics? Journal of Business Communication 23 (2), 41-50
- Walker, R. (2015). Strategic Communication for Leaders (3rd Ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.