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Running head: ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION ISSUES IN MOOSE ON THE
TABLE: A NOVEL APPROACH TO COMMUNICATIONS AT WORK

Organizational Communication Issues in Moose on the Table: A Novel Approach to
Communications at Work
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ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION ISSUES IN MOOSE ON THE TABLE: A NOVEL
APPROACH TO COMMUNICATIONS AT WORK

Organizational Communication Issues in Moose on the Table: A Novel Approach to
Communications at Work
Organizational communication is the flow of information and messages within a network
comprising of interdependent relationships. Communication is a primary function in all
organization which plays a vital role in the coordination of all of the firm’s activities, a key
element for successful operations and the achievement of objectives. In his book ‘Moose on the
table: A Novel Approach to Communications at Work,’ Jim Clemmer, through the story of Pete
Leonard, identifies and suggests possible solutions to several problems revolving around
leadership in organizations. Key among these issues is communication within an organization, an
issue Pete faces and learns to deal with in his position as a manager. This essay discusses and
analyzes some of the organizational communication issues in the book while considering the
input and perception of other authors in the identified issues.
In a video introducing the book, which Jim Clemmer describes as ‘edutaining,’ he
explains the moose as a metaphor for the problems in organizations, communication problems in
this case, which are known across the organizations but not addressed. Through the story of Pete,
a middle-level manager in Newton Millbank Tech Services (NMTS), an organization riddled
with poor and ineffective communication, the book explores communication in organizations and
the problems arising as a result. The moose grows bigger as issues are continually ignored,
symbolizing the growth in the magnitude of the organizational communication the more they get
swept under the table (Clemmer, 2008). Eventually, Pete leaves the organization having been
fired after attending an illuminating seminar during which he learns some qualities which he later
applies to the organization after getting reinstated in his former bosses’ position.

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ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION ISSUES IN MOOSE ON THE TABLE: A NOVEL
APPROACH TO COMMUNICATIONS AT WORK

Organizational Silence
Organizational silence is the major organizational communication issue highlighted in
Jim Clemmer’s book. The problem refers to the collective practice of saying and doing little or
nothing in response to the problems facing an organization. Employees in the situation choose to
remain silent and withhold information on current and potential issues for fear of repercussions
or under the implication that speaking up and sharing the information makes no difference.
During the meeting chaired by Doug in the second chapter, the employees seem to be saying as
little as possible when answering questions by giving a monotone explanation and withholding
information altogether, as evident in Chuck’s answer to Omar’s inquiry on the same. Chuck says
that rather than informing their superior of their ideas, they withhold their opinions and
suggestions and take orders instead (Clemme...