One-Way versus Two-Way Communication

What will be an ideal response?

In one-way communication, information flows in only one direction—from the sender to the receiver, without the feedback loop show in Exhibit 15.1. A CEO sends an e-mail to all employees without asking for a response. An employee phones the information technology (IT) department and leaves a message requesting repairs for her computer. A supervisor yells at a production worker about defects and then storms away.

When receivers respond to senders—Person B becomes the sender and Person A the receiver—two-way communication has occurred. One-way communication in situations like those just described can become two-way if the manager's e-mail invites the receiver to reply with any questions, the IT department returns the employee's call and asks for details Page 431 about the computer problem, and the supervisor calms down and listens to the production worker's explanation of what's wrong.