The issues under discussion likewise offer a powerful reminder that the bottom line is never as immediately quantifiable or as readable as one might think, and that assessments of a behemoth initiative like TARP are affected as much by perception and communication as by sound accounting practices.

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"That is significant because even though they are at risk for more conflict, there are communication mechanisms that can reduce this, " says Tricia Burke, the study's lead author and visiting assistant professor in the communication studies department at the University of Puget Sound.

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The CRS-R was developed at the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and grades patients' verbalization, communication, motor function, visual function and response to sound.

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The effect of paralinguistic communication is so potent that it can make bad news actually sound palatable or, conversely, take all the joy out of a positive message.

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This emphasis on positive managerial relationships, trust and honest communication is nothing unexpected, but does add hard data reinforcing sound practices for all leaders to bear in mind if they hope to motivate their work force.

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