Communication, cue utilisation and the performance of Maritime Warfare Officers in the Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is required to deliver directed outcomes in a dynamic and often ambiguous environment, where the consequences of error can be severe. The personnel comprising the RAN must consistently make decisions,in a team environment,that contribute to the achievement of these aims. Communication is an important contributor to the achievement of team objectives.The current work presents an observational study of the communication behaviours of maritime warfare officers in the context of performance during simulated warfare scenarios. Study 1 examined the relationship of certain categories of communication behaviours to performance ratings. Study 2 replicated this analysis and introduced an assessment of cue utilisation. Data were collected in relation to a number of categories of communication acts. Cue utilisation was assessed using a validated computerised assessment. Contrary to expectations, few of the communication acts were related to ratings of performance. Cue utilisation alone did not predict performance.However, a relationship was evident between communication, cue utilisation and performance ratings. The results suggest that cue utilisation may be related to the management of communication and that this in turn is a predictor of performance. The results of the two studies are discussed in relation to training implications for the RAN.