Dilemma-Dilemma: An Exercise for Teaching Significance of Communication

Abstract

The significance of effective communication for managerial success and organizational performance is well documented in the organizational behavior and interpersonal communication literature. It is, however, difficult for a teacher to demonstrate such significance in a meaningful way to the students with the use of data and lecture alone. The exercise Dilemma-Dilemma is designed to create a lasting impression on students’ minds about the importance of communication and its implications for interpersonal relationships. The exercise builds on the existing classic exercises such as Prisoner’s Dilemma and World Bank Negotiations. Its superiority over the classic exercises lies in the fact that it relates the activity to a business scenario to which business students and practicing managers can relate more easily. In addition to providing the exercise and discussion questions, the paper also provides reactions of managers who have been participants in this exercise.