Page 22 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Unit 1: Speaking Skills

colleagues, associates and visitors. Here we rise above the closed circle of intimacy notes
around us. Although communication in this circle is also mostly personal in nature,
it is relaxed and casual for most of the time. It permits spontaneous unprogrammed
talking or discussion. However, certain important decisions may be taken in this
circle.
(c) Social distance/zone: It ranges from four feet to about twelve feet and has very aptly
been called the social space. We use this space mostly for formal purposes, and the
relationships within this circle are more official. We do most of our business within
this area. While feelings, emotions, shared likes and dislike may come up in the
intimate and ‘personal’ space, more reason and planning are used in the ‘social’ space.
It is therefore, of paramount importance in business. Much of the communication in
organizations is done in the social zone.
(d) Public distance/zone: It ranges from 12 feet to the limits of visibility and hearing.
Communication at public distance is considered in public speaking. A good deal
of communication within and outside an organization takes place at this range.
We can very well imagine the nature of communications/speaking in this space
becomes even more formal. The attachment of the ‘intimate’ and ‘personal’ space is
substituted by the detachment of perception, objectivity of approach and formality
of communication/speaking. We have to raise our voice so as to be heard by others
whose group is almost always larger in this space. That is why it has been called
‘public’ space.

Space Use

Proxemics is also concerned with the use of space by groups of people. The ways groups of people
use the space assigned to them determines their respective places and interaction patterns. For
example, people who begin conversation and those seated at the front are usually considered
leaders of the group. If the same people are seated in a row, their communication pattern will be
of a different nature. People seated around an oval table are likely to communicate in the form
of a conference.

Everyone is aware of some of the ways space is used to communicate in business organizations.
Experts have identified three basics principles about the use of space as it relates to status within
the organization:

1. For higher status people in the organization, more and better quality space is allotted.

Example: In many organizations, the president has the most attractive office, while the
vice president, the department’s heads, and lower level employees have smaller offices.
The number of windows in the office and the way the office is furnished are also
commensurate with rank of position. This is clearly evident that better the quality place,
the higher will be position or status of the individual.
2. The higher people in the organization are being protected within their territory. Their
territories are closed. Many times the more status a person has in the organization, the
more difficult it is to see that person. Outer offices and secretaries often are used to protect
the high-status person. Even gates are manned with security people of such people.

3. For higher people in the organization, it is easier to invade the territory of lower status
personnel. The superiors usually can enter the subordinate’s office at will. The supervisor
also has the ability to phone the subordinate at almost any time. This is the privilege.
However, the subordinate usually does not have his access to the supervisor.

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