Communication Climate Inventory
Instructions: The statements below relate to how your supervisor and you communicate on the job.
There is no right or wrong answers. Respond honestly to the statements, using the following scale:
1 - Strongly Agree
2 - Agree
3 - Uncertain
4 - Disagree
5 - Strongly Disagree
1. My supervisor criticizes my work without allowing me to explain.
1 2 3 4 5
2. My supervisor allows me as much creativity as possible in my job.
1 2 3 4 5
3. My supervisor always judges the actions of his or her subordinates.
1 2 3 4 5
4. My supervisor allows flexibility on the job.
1 2 3 4 5
5. My supervisor criticizes my work in the presence of others.
1 2 3 4 5
6. My supervisor is willing to try new ideas and to accept other points of view.
1 2 3 4 5
7. My supervisor believes that he or she must control how I do my work.
1 2 3 4 5
8. My supervisor understands the problems that I encounter in my job.
1 2 3 4 5
9. My supervisor is always trying to change other people's attitudes and behaviours to suit his or
her own.
1 2 3 4 5
10. My supervisor respects my feelings and values.
1 2 3 4 5
11. My supervisor always needs to be in charge of the situation.
1 2 3 4 5
12. My supervisor listens to my problems with interest.
1 2 3 4 5
13. My supervisor tries to manipulate subordinates to get what he or she wants or to make
himself or herself look good.
1 2 3 4 5
14. My supervisor does not try to make me feel inferior.
1 2 3 4 5
15. I have to be careful when talking to my supervisor so that I will not be misinterpreted.
1 2 3 4 5
16. My supervisor participates in meetings with employees without projecting his or her higher
status or power.
1 2 3 4 517. I seldom say what really is on my mind, because it might be twisted and distorted by my
supervisor.
1 2 3 4 5
18. My supervisor treats me with respect.
1 2 3 4 5
19. My supervisor seldom becomes involved in employee conflicts.
1 2 3 4 5
20. My supervisor does not have hidden motives in dealing with me.
1 2 3 4 5
21. My supervisor is not interested in employee problems.
1 2 3 4 5
22. I feel that I can be honest and straightforward with my supervisor.
1 2 3 4 5
23. My supervisor rarely offers moral support during a personal crisis.
1 2 3 4 5
24. I feel that I can express my opinions and ideas honestly to my supervisor.
1 2 3 4 5
25. My supervisor tries to make me feel inadequate.
1 2 3 4 5
26. My supervisor defines problems so that they can be understood but does not insist that his or
her subordinates agree.
1 2 3 4 5
27. My supervisor makes it clear that he or she is in charge.
1 2 3 4 5
28. I feel free to talk to my supervisor.
1 2 3 4 5
29. My supervisor believes that if a job is to be done right, he or she must oversee it or do it.
1 2 3 4 5
30. My supervisor defines problems and makes his or her subordinates aware of them.
1 2 3 4 5
31. My supervisor cannot admit that he or she makes mistakes.
1 2 3 4 5
32. My supervisor tries to describe situations fairly without labelling them as good or bad.
1 2 3 4 5
33. My supervisor is dogmatic; it is useless for me to voice an opposing point of view.
1 2 3 4 5
34. My supervisor presents his or her feelings and perceptions without implying that a similar
response is expected from me.
1 2 3 4 5
35. My supervisor thinks that he or she is always right.
1 2 3 4 5
36. My supervisor attempts to explain situations clearly and without personal bias.
1 2 3 4 5SCORING AND INTERPRETATION SHEET
Instructions- Place the numbers that you assigned to each statement in the appropriate blanks. Now
add them together to determine a subtotal for each climate descriptor. Place the subtotals in the
proper blanks and add your scores. Place an X on the graph to indicate what your perception is of
your organization or department's communication climate. Some descriptions of the terms follow.
You may wish to discuss with others their own perceptions and interpretations.
Part 1: Defensive Scores
Evaluation Neutrality
Question 1 ______________ Question 19 ______________
Question 3 ______________ Question 21 ______________
Question 5 ______________ Question 23 ______________
Subtotal ______________ Subtotal ______________
Control Superiority
Question 7 ______________ Question 25 ______________
Question 9 ______________ Question 27 ______________
Question 11 ______________ Question 29 ______________
Subtotal ______________ Subtotal ______________
Strategy Certainty
Question 13 ______________ Question 31 ______________
Question 15 ______________ Question 33 ______________
Question 17 ______________ Question 35 ______________
Subtotal ______________ Subtotal ______________
Subtotal for Defensive Scores
Evaluation ______________
Control ______________
Strategy ______________
Neutrality ______________
Superiority ______________
Certainty ______________
Total ______________Defensive Scale
Defensive, 18-40
Defensive to Neutral, 41-55
Neutral to Supportive, 56-69
Supportive, 70-90
Part II: Supportive Scores
Provisionalism Spontaneity
Question 2 ______________ Question 20 ______________
Question 4 ______________ Question 22 ______________
Question 6 ______________ Question 24 ______________
Subtotal ______________ Sub total ______________
Empathy Problem Orientation
Question 8 ______________ Question 26 ______________
Question 10 ______________ Question 28 ______________
Question 12 ______________ Question 30 ______________
Subtotal ______________ Sub total ______________
Equality Description
Question 14 ______________ Question 32 ______________
Question 16 ______________ Question 34 ______________
Question 18 ______________ Question 36 ______________
Subtotal ______________ Subtotal ______________
Subtotals for Supportive Scores
Provisionalism ______________
Empathy ______________
Equality ______________
Spontaneity ______________
Problem Orientation ______________
Description ______________
Total ______________
Supportive Scale
Supportive, 18-40
Supportive to Neutral, 41-55
Neutral to Defensive, 56-69
Defensive, 70-90EXPLORING SUPPORTIVE AND DEFENSIVE
Defensive Climate
Questions 1, 3, 5 ------- Evaluation
Questions 7, 9, 11 ----- Control
Questions 13, 15, 17 - Strategy
Questions 19, 21, 23 - Neutrality
Questions 25, 27, 29 - Superiority
Questions 31, 33, 35 - Certainty
Supportive Climate
Questions 2, 4, 6 -------Provisionalism
Questions 8, 10, 12 --- Empathy
Questions 14, 16, 18 - Equality
Questions 20, 22, 24 - Spontaneity
Questions 26, 28, 30 - Problem Orientation
Questions 32, 34, 36 - Description