Communication Channels & Miscommunications

In the video above, it is obvious that there is an interpersonal communication (a.k.a. dyadic communication). This form of communication involves 2 people (Bush & Rice). In this scenario, communication was used to satisfy practical needs. Bush needed to know who the new leader of China is while Rice was responsible for informing Bush. Feedback was sent and received immediately and simultaneously between Bush and Rice. Therefore, it was a transactional model. The conversation was fluid and did not have a one way and static flow. In short, there was a relationship.

The channel that used was face-to-face conversation. This will lead to the fact that it was a verbal and visual communication between the president of America and Condoleezza Rice. This channel turned out to be ineffective because it caused misconceptions and misunderstandings during the conversation. It has been proven that the face-to-face channels are weak when it comes to delivering a detailed message. The best way to convey a detailed message is by writing it down in black and white (hardcopy). A classic example is shown in the video above where Rice informs Bush that “HU” is the new leader of China while Bush thinks that Rice is asking him “Who” the new leader of China is. This misunderstanding goes on for a couple of minutes and frustrates both parties.

Later, when Bush asks Condoleezza if she will tell him the name of the new leader in China, he misinterprets her answer as “Yassir” instead of “Yes Sir”. He therefore thinks that “Yassir Arafat” (the leader of Middle East) is now leading China. Another miscommunication has taken place because both Bush and Rice did not pick the best channel to communicate through. Again, this misinterpreted conversation goes on and causes bad conflict.

To make matters worse, Bush thought that Rice was asking him if he wanted “coffee” and that she called him “Annan” instead of “George” when she actually wanted to confirm if “Kofi Annan?” was the Secretary General of the United Nations. He makes Condoleezza confused and she now thinks that Bush wants “coffee”! He instructs her to get him milk and the UN. She replies “Yes Sir”. The same thing happens again. Bush thinks that she is going to get “Yassir” on the phone and states again that he wants the guy in the UN. When Rice asks if it is “Kofi” Bush think she’s asking if he wants “coffee” AGAIN and asks for “milk” instead!

This crazy misinterpreted conversation goes on and on and on. This video also shows that interpersonal communication can have bad conflicts. Communication is never simple. It is complex and should be done with proper planning. To sum it all up, choosing the right channels are important so that one gets the right message conveyed.

Written by,

Jane Tai