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In the previous two videos, we’ve discussed the challenge of managing the communication loop. The “noise” in the channel often distorts the encoded message, and causes it to be decoded in a manner other than how the transmitter understood. As we’ve seen, this poses significant challenges even when communication is taking place via the communication channel we’re most familiar with – the face-to-face conversation.

Much greater challenges are posed to negotiators, when communication between them is taking place at a distance. What new challenges does the online medium pose? Not only does distance, and online media, introduce new noise into the channel, they also reduce the cues available to us to clarify our intentions – as different forms of online communication reduce the availability of the non-verbal communication discussed in Jeff Thompson’s talk.

How do we cope with these challenges, as negotiators? That is the topic of this unit’s option for Digging Deeper, which will focus on e-negotiation, or negotiation taking place via online communication. Come join us there!