ABSTRACT
Supervisor communication competence was used to predict employee perceptions of supervisor credibility. In the study participants working in various industries completed measures of communication competence and credibility about their direct supervisor. Effective and appropriate communication were positively related to perceptions of credibility (competence, goodwill, and trustworthiness). Regression analyses indicated an interaction effect between effective and appropriate communication for each of the three credibility outcomes, where high amounts of effective and appropriate communication produced the highest credibility outcomes. Effective communication was the best predictor of competence, whereas appropriate communication was the best predictor of goodwill and trustworthiness.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Alan C. Mikkelson
Alan C. Mikkelson (PhD, Arizona State University, 2006) is a professor of speech communication at Whitworth University. His research examines interpersonal communication in the workplace and decision-making in personal relationships.
David Sloan
David Sloan (PhD, Gonzaga University, 2013) is an associate professor of business at Whitworth University. His research interests include business psychology, organizational behavior, and marketing.
Cris J. Tietsort
Cris J. Tiesort (PhD, Arizona State University, 2021) is an assistant professor of communication studies at the University of Denver. His research explores various ways we can support thriving workplace relationships, including a focus on leadership communication, compassion, and social support, as well as transformative approaches to communication skill development.