Effective Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace
Researchers contend that the ability to incorporate a subtle variance of communication, which includes tone as well as speech patterns, is at the heart of interpersonal communication. It is inarguable that interpersonal communication revolves around the speeches, chitchats, and meeting at departmental and personal levels, fights and general occurrence in person. Interpersonal communication at the workplace follows certain established norms for efficiency and productivity. This implies that the principles of interpersonal communication must be considered in a bid to root out various misconceptions about it. Due to these misconceptions, certain barriers impede the efficiency of interpersonal communication in the workplace but efforts must be employed to rise above such barriers. As such there are strategies for active listening that must be used to enhance this kind of communication. The effects of gender as well as culture on interpersonal communication in the 21st century marketplace forms the basis upon which organizations should call upon their employees to adopt an effective strategies. Evidently, effective interpersonal communication at the workplace provides a breakthrough in the success various organizations in the competitive global market.
Principles of Interpersonal Communication at the Workplace
The primary reason as to why we communicate is to express our thoughts, feelings and ideas in the way that will be clearly understood. The integration of both spoken and non verbal communication helps in achieving this clarity in the workplace. Accordingly, effective interpersonal communication entails the use of the traditional face to face communication with the body language being evident as well as the responses through a feedback mechanism. Research shows that organizations that have encouraged their employees to develop good interpersonal communication skills have virtually succeeded. Communicating effectively with the boss or customers, forms the foundation upon which an organization succeeds. According to DeVitol (2008), effective interpersonal communication at the workplace provides an opportunity for exchanging ideas as well as symbols that represent ideas. Symbols attached to all words reflect who we are, our cultural setups and social upbringing. If this form diversity is mutually shared and channeled to the right direction, an organization can surely succeed.
The basic principle of interpersonal communication at the work place is that it occurs in a given context. Wood (2002) asserts that there is no single time interpersonal communication will occur in isolation. With regard to this, interpersonal communication occurs in the context where the participants bring needs, values, personality and desires to an interaction. Evidently, Rowell (1999) further points out that interpersonal communication occur in a relational dimension where participants interact by relating to certain aspects of life. By increasing ones range of interpersonal skills, employees achieve extensive job satisfaction as well as performance.
In addition, interpersonal communication follows the principle that it does not just entail spoken words. Accordingly, DeVitol (2008) postulates that looking at the boss face is already communication because in such a simple act, an employee is able to derive a message or two depending on the expression gotten from the boss face. It is significant that body language, elements of tonal variation as well as aspects of situation must be considered in the entire process of interpersonal communication because they enhance communication at the workplace.
Researchers argue that most people hold on the misconception that interpersonal communication is avoidable therefore they refuse to utter verbal words but do not know that they are still communication. With regard to this, Wood (2002) explains that interpersonal communication can not be escaped thus, when we deliberately choose to be silent to others, we are still communicating at least our silence. In light of this, silence has a manifold of interpretation depending on the situation as well as cultural aspects. For instance, certain cultures considers silence where elders areas a sign of politeness and respect while in other situations, it may communicate lack of bond.
Communication in the Workplace
The use of gestures and body language coupled with our verbal communication makes the perception of an employee clearer. To reap extensive understanding in a workplace, effective interpersonal communication must be established. For instance, if you listen to a monotonous person, it may become hard to understand their feelings on the subject but should he person use gestures and tonal variation, their points will become articulate and what they mean will be understood clearly.
Furthermore, interpersonal communication gives people in an organization the ability to get along with others through the use of interpersonal skills. DeVitol (2008) argues that effective interpersonal communication exposes you as a smart and fascinating worker thus providing the ability to achieve prosperity in the workplace.
To enhance ones interpersonal communication at the work place, workers need self expression in communication. This means that they should adopt thoughts around ideas and get tuned with the feeing of others, their opinion and knowledge at large. Moreover, employees should use effective responses by being assertive. For example, it would be prudent if a particular employee specified why they agree or disagree with a given opinion. Primarily, descriptiveness as well as tactfulness should be employed to help phrase feedbacks and comments in the positive light.
Barriers to Effective Interpersonal Communication
It amounts to a simplistic view if we argue that communication in whatever form is easy and straight forward. According to Wood (2002), the misconceptions about interpersonal communication have forced us to put certain barriers in the way of communication. Largely, this undermines the whole process of effective communication. Among the barriers of interpersonal communication at the workplace include physical barriers, emotional barriers, perceptual barriers and cultural barriers.
Rowell (1999) asserts that physical barriers range from colleagues marking their own territories such that those deemed as strangers will not be allowed to access them. Accordingly, closing office doors and designing separate areas for employees with different status, is a manifestation of physical barriers .Instead, an organization should e courage open office where colleagues can exchange ideas and feeling over particular issues that keep on emerging I the workplace.
Research postulates that in a bid to build cohesion and team building in a workplace, interpersonal communication must be enforced through proximity (Wood, 1999).In light of this, workers will still have personal space that they can call theirs but proximity to others facilitates communication because of the basic function that it provides a chance for workers to know each other.
Similarly, emotional barriers hinder interpersonal communication by blockading free and open communication. Fear, suspicion ad well as mistrust are elements of emotional barriers because our development as people with effective communicating skills is hindered therefore interfering with out ability to establish relationships that are meaningful. Organizations should encourage openness through formulating policies that 4encourage freedom of expression. In so doing, employees will not ride in fear or entertain the thought that they are there to be seen and not to be heard. Such an approach is quite effective in promoting team work which forms an important factor in the productivity of an organization.
Perceptual barriers come by virtue of the fact that in interpersonal communication, we communicate as guided by our different perception of the world. In essence, our assumptions, thoughts and perceptions constantly shape our mindsets thus determine our interpersonal communication. To avoid perceptual barriers we should be objective in our thinking and often respect other peoples opinion regardless of whether we disagree of agree with them. In so doing, we will not impose our feelings on others but will allow ourselves to grow and benefit from the diversified outlook of nature.
On the same note, it is inarguably that interpersonal communication has been hindered as a result of cultural barriers. In an organization, all employees are forced to adopt the cultural and behavioral patterns of that organization. Without this, the organization will regard you as an out cast because you will constantly not feel a sense of belonging. However, in certain cases, some employees hold on to their personal and cultural identification until they operate on different lanes with others in an organization. Sooner or later, such employees will feel left out because it always remains that if your cultural mindset differs with that of the organization, your interpersonal communication will be displaced. It is therefore significant that we conform to the culture of the organization in order to mutually benefit from a high level interpersonal communication and therefore achieve rewards of approval, recognition and inclusion.
Impact of Gender and Culture on Interpersonal Communication
Gender has impacted on the interpersonal communication in the workplace by infusing different styles of communication used by both men and women. Wood (2002) analyses that the methods of communication that men as well as women use comes with the far reaching effect of who will be heard, approved and influence the work to be done. Accordingly, elements of status, authority, apologies and indirectness are the pointers of the impact gender have had on interpersonal communication in the workplace. For example, the way people communicate with their words and body determines who get a bigger share of power as well as recognition from the boss. Power in this case, is understood within the parameters of being able to influence people to listen to you as opposed to having to do what others want.
Similarly, culture appears to be an important factor in interpersonal communication in the workplace. For instance, with America becoming so diverse, the style of interpersonal communication has definitely been reshaped. This is due to the understanding that America represents many cultures making it impossible to create a single unified way of communicating. With regard to this, DeVitol (2008) explains that interpersonal communication is built around the belief that our thoughts and ideas are expressed depending on how we have been raised as well as what we believe in. Accordingly, culture continues to bring about the emergence of dialects and certain non verbal cues do not have a universal meaning.
Strategies for Active Listening
Effective interpersonal communication is pegged on the ability to listen actively. Whether we use spoken language or body language, the message we communicate will only be understood and clearly interpreted if we listen actively. We require active listening in our every day life. It is away of responding to others in a manner that will build a mutual understanding. Strategies to active listening enhance interpersonal relationship and communication at large. Such strategies are not rules but rather tips that help one to better the interpersonal communication.
Researchers and communication experts has recommended various steps to improve an active listening skill. This is watching the body language and using it together with the spoken worse. For instance, watching aspects of facial expression and tone of voice reinforces the message that the words will convey. In addition, observing the rate of speech as well as other auditory changes, positions you to a level of catching up with the actual meaning and the intended meaning that others may be trying to convey.
It is important to remain part of the communication process which is indicated by active listening sills. As such, it is appropriate to use receptive language such as asking questions for clarification, avoiding judgment, and demonstrating interest by providing positive feedback and avoiding being emotionally involved. All these of course will happen if eye contact is maintained.
Conclusion
From the foregoing discussion, it is evident the one of the most important forms of communication is interpersonal communication because, apart from conveying the message it builds a mutual understanding between relations. To achieve this, clarity is paramount. This means that principles of interpersonal communication especially at a workplace must be observed such that people understand what they say and use other non verbal cues to reinforce their messages. Barriers of interpersonal communication that result due to misconception should be avoided and instead, strategies of active listening employed. In so doing, it goes beyond doubt that interpersonal communication in the workplace will be effective hence leading to the success of employees as well as an organization. Arguably, with effective interpersonal communication in a workplace, an employee feels satisfaction which leads to productivity. In a nutshell, interpersonal communication in a workplace can be effective if one conducts himself in a professional manner and respect others. In so doing, their position within the company will not be jeopardized or worsened.
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