Do Managers and Subordinates Really Hear What They Say To Each Other?

Abstract

This article describes the results of a survey of communication between forty Australian Managers and 183 of their subordinates. The survey measured the differences between the amount of information a manager believes he or she communicates and what the subordinate perceives has been communicated. The results of this survey indicate that the perception of communication between managers and subordinates is significantly different in regard to expected standards of performance, aspects of personal life, the amount of information regarding the work situation (work interest, etc.), and a total communication indicator which includes standards of performance, personal life, work situation, organisation structure, and the environment. However, there were no significant differences between managers and subordinates in the areas of organisation and the environment. Reasons for these findings are discussed and implications of these findings and positive actions to improve communication within organisations are suggested.