Communication Miracles at Work Review - Book Report/Review Example

Project A. Introduction and brief overview of the book In his book d as ‘Communication Miracles at Work’, Matthew Gilbert has presented both practical knowledge as well as information concerning the importance of communication as an essential component for enhanced performance of employees within an organizational setting. The book aims at revealing the importance of communication skills to be possessed by professionals for developing better relationship with their co-workers, managers or superiors and clients. With the virtues of the comprehensive discussion presented in the book and taking adequate guidance from its explanations to the varied problems, the readers are quite likely to acquire new managerial skills which shall further assist them in gaining increased advantages of their working environment. The book emphasizes on one significant aspect, i.e. the personal responsibility for the employees to perform the assigned tasks in an enhanced manner by developing a healthy relationship with people involved in an organization. The book also serves with knowledge regarding the varied communication methods and their corresponding barriers for developing effective communication among the employees of an organization. In this regard, the entire discussion of the book has been divided into nine chapters depicting different perceptions in relation to the importance of improving communication in regular professional activities. B. Application to organizational behavior concepts/theories One of the crucial premises which have been set forth in the book is ‘A Great Place to Work’. According to Matthew Gilbert, an organization named Great Place to Work Institute exists invisibly which intends to recognize those ethically sound companies where the employees are satisfied with the prevailing culture in an organization. According to Gilbert (2002), it is this hypothetical company that assists magazines and rating agencies in framing their list of successful employee friendly companies. Based on this assumption, the author intends to explain the concept of ‘A Great Place to Work,’ as the workplace setting where employees are observed to enthusiastically perform activities with trust, pride as well as pleasure. The research conducted by the institute also reveals that employees perform activities efficiently for being satisfied with the job assigned being strongly inspired by the healthy atmosphere developed within the organization. With reference to the explanation provided in the book, it can be identified that the concept of ‘A Great Place to Work’ was developed by Robert Levering, who has been presented as the founder of the hypothetical organization, Great Place to Work Institute by Matthew Gilbert. Stating precisely, the book depicts that founder Robert Levering has specified two major components of a ‘great place to work’ as trust and pride perceived by the employees while performing the assigned activities. In an organization, trust among employees is measured with credibility which signifies that the management is efficient enough in satisfying its promises. Hence, the management of an organization should have respect and decipher fairness when treating the employees. Fairness, in this context signifies that the employees of an organization should be appreciated for their performances. To present the concept in the most comprehensive way, William Gilbert has also referred to the views put forward by various authors. For instance, as revealed in the book, according to William Simpson (2006), the director at Nixon Peabody LLP, the sole motive of the organization is to develop ‘a great place to work’ where the employees of the organization can perform in an efficient manner getting inspired by the healthy environment and culture prevailing within the organizational setting. Such circumstances are also noted to enhance the employees’ contribution towards better teamwork. Contextually, the employees who are provided with such atmosphere tend to perceive a feeling of adequately informed as well as appreciated. Notably, there are five drivers responsible for satisfying the employees to perform their activities effectively which are described as follows. Meaningful work The employees of the organization are eager to perform challenging tasks assigned to them deciphering superior versatility. Hence, the performances of the employees should be rewarded so as to preserve such competition within the workplace setting (Simpson, 2006). Recognition The employees should be appreciated for their performances towards devoting better inspiration as well as positive attitude. This in turn shall assist in keeping them motivated to perform better on a continuous basis (Simpson, 2006). Respect for management There should be a healthy relation among the management and the employees to develop trust. Hence, the decisions taken by the management should be communicated unambiguously to the workforce, which shall make the strategies admirable for the employees contributing towards their enhanced performances (Simpson, 2006). Communication The employees are to be notified about the determined aims and goals which are to be achieved in an unambiguous way so as to obtain their complete contribution. The organization is also required to practice an effective communication system which will also enhance the morale among the employees as well as provide them with an option to participate in the decision making process (Simpson, 2006). Empowerment The employees should further be empowered to make individual decisions in their respective expertise areas. Hence, with the opportunity to prove their leadership and decision making, the employees are likely to get motivated towards improved performances (Simpson, 2006). From an overall perspective, the premises set forth in the book can be regarded as quite reliable as the concepts are explained unambiguously with practical examples as well as solutions. The book also delivers its discussion taking references from varied studies as well as models for developing a better understanding of the aspects. For instance, the ideas or objectives which are presented in the book can be identified as mostly based on the concept or theories which are related to the organizational behavior addressing the concepts of diversity, motivation, team effectiveness, decision-making, conflict and negotiation, organizational communication, power and influence, along with organizational culture. When elaborating on the various concepts of organizational behavior, which are essential in developing an effective workplace, Gilbert (2002) also intended to illustrate the case studies of a few leading companies such as the case scenario of Synovus Financial Group, Texas Nameplate Company and Tom’s of Maine among others. With regards to the explanation provided and the realistic examples on the organizational leadership in developing a productive workplace, the theories elaborated in the book can be regarded as standard as well as appropriate. These theories can be revealed as the basics for understanding the concepts of organizational behavior. From an overall perspective, it can be further stated that the theories presented in Gilbert (2002) are comprehensively addressed with the assistance of vast knowledge regarding the importance of communication in an organization. C. The impact of the book to you in the workplace The concepts which have been presented by the author in the book, Communication Miracles at Work: Effective Tools and Tips for Getting the Most from Your Work Relationships, has immensely assisted me in developing a comprehensive and beneficial understanding of the workplace setting and its virtues in a remarkable manner. In this regard, the author has also investigated various issues related to the role played by communication skills and other corresponding organizational behavior related concepts for developing trust as well as healthy relationship among the workforce within an organization. The theories as well as the researches which have been presented in the book also helped me in understanding varied concepts required for developing a great place to work such as effective team work and commitment. It has also assisted me in acquiring the knowledge which is required for developing a workplace towards the accomplishment of the determined organizational goals or objectives. The description presented by Gilbert (2002) has also assisted me in acquiring the skills as well as knowledge which will help in developing my professional life. The explanation rendered through the book has also motivated towards improving my communication as well as leadership skills which are the basic components for developing a better workplace by learning about the effects or issues which arise due to ineffective communication restricting the development of trust and collaboration among the employees for accomplishing the objectives of an organization. On the whole, the book has helped me in developing my personality as well as professional traits. It has also assisted me in properly coordinating as well as performing activities as a team work in an enhanced way. D. Conclusion The book titled as ‘Communication Miracles at Work’ by Matthew Gilbert elaborates on varied skills as well as knowledge to be possessed by employees towards improving the productivity of a workplace within an organizational setting. The illustrations and the realistic explanations depict that the theories as well as concepts explained in the book have been based on sound and standard researches. In its course of explanation, the book presents that communication is an important element for attaining the success of an organization. Contextually, the discussion of Gilbert (2002) elaborates that employees should perform their activities effectively towards accomplishing the goals of an organization with adequate trust as well as collaboration among the employees. Notably, the book also provides a brief account of the traits required for developing a better cultural environment within a modern day organization such as building enthusiasm among the employees, framing effective appraisal systems and facilitating trust among the workforce. Hence, from my experience, I can affirm that the book should be recommended to others for developing the individual professional traits and effective workplaces motivating enhanced performances from the employees in a competitive but collaborative manner. References Gilbert, M. (2002). Communication miracles at work: effective tools and tips for getting the most from your work relationships. United States: Conari Press. Simpson, W. (2006). To make an organization great, first make it a great place to work. Nixon Peabody LLP, pp. 1-5. Read More