CH 8: Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Organizational communication is more important then ever in today's society with the multiple methods of communication. Just think about an organization you are involved with and the way the group communicates with members in the organization. No matter what organization you are involved in their is a gatekeeper. A gatekeeper is "someone who is in a position to pass on or discard information" according to Trenholm (p. 222). I believe a gatekeeper has a huge responsibility of weeding out the good/important information from the non-important information. For example, I work at a law firm where I answer the phone to see who is calling the attorneys and make sure they are speaking with the correct individuals for each case. I am a gatekeeper, which is a big responsibility to make sure I tell the attorneys the correct information of each caller. I tell co-workers sometimes when clients give me to much information I am not always 100% sure I am passing on all the information the attorneys would find helpful. Either way a gatekeeper must pass any information in a timely and effective manner within the organization to reach the correct person. Organizational communication will always need improvement within and without the organization because of the new styles/methods of communication that are to come in the future.
Have an awesome week!
Thanks
Blondie
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5 comments:
Hi Blondie,
I agree that every organization has a gatekeep and they have an important, sensitive job. As you stated, you filter through the information given to you as the receptionist and must decide what is important and what isn't. This isn't as easy as it sounds.
At my job, Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center, there is also a receptionist who not only answers the phone, but greets clients as they walk in the office. I don't envy her job, however, I do respect her ability to determine an immediate crisis from assisting a client with a past due utility bill, or someone who just needs to use the computer.
Thanks for sharing:)
Hi Blondie,
Gatekeepers are an integral part of an organization like you mentioned. You are able to filter out what is important and what is not with respect to the organizational leaders and pass it on accordingly.
Do you ever find that when you pass along information that you are not giving them what they wanted..that you are filtering out too much or that what you thought was or wasn't information is not how they felt?
I work for a non profit organization related to aquatic therapy and our Client Services Representatives are the first line communicators with prospective clients. They have to gather information from the client to pass it on to the physical therapists who determine what classes they feel the client should take based on their conditions. It is an important job because if they leave something out, they could possibly be placed in the wrong class. Luckily that hasnt happened.
Hi Blondie,
Your role as a gatekeeper is extremely important because, for starters, you work at a law firm. And without saying, lawyers can utilized the smallest information to make their case. Which makes your decision process all the more critical!
You have a tremendous task of deciding what's important or "not so" important.
Although I agree that gatekeepers are needed in an organization, gatekeepers must be carefully interviewed for the position because some gatekeeper's decisions will weigh heavily on the survival of the organization.
I also agree that gatekeepers are very important to communication. It is very important for a gatekeeper to pass on information in a timely and effective manner. The gatekeeper should also know how to communication effectively. These people should be organized and prepared for any questions that might arise. I think you did a job job of showing an example of what a gatekeeper does.
I also have a job where I am considered to be a gatekeeper. I pass on information to other employees based on what I feel is important and necessary for them to know.
I totally agree you about the importance of gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are extremely important to organizations. They are a huge mean of communication. If the gatekeeper makes a mistake, there could be a huge change reaction that could have negative effects on the company. Just the other day a someone from a magazine company called my boss asking if he wanted to buy rights to use an article. The gatekeeper told my boss a certain price. The gatekeeper got the price wrong and in the end she lost the company a sale. This just shows the importance of a gatekeepers job.
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