Introduction
Organizational communication is the process through which leaders in a firm develop systems of passing information to workers and outsiders. It influences the relationship between individuals from different levels of the company and has effects on the achievement of the company’s goals (Mumby & Kuhn, 2018). Effective interaction increases staff morale, productivity, and output, thus, it is a critical skill needed in firms for growth. Since organizational communication strategies are beneficial, this paper discusses how they can be applied to enhance professionalism.
Insights Gained in Communication Class
Effective communication is vital in personal life and the workplace by enabling the workmates relationship to thrive and function properly. It creates a better environment for open dialogue and teamwork. Managers and employees ought to interact respectfully when passing information. This is because poor communication erodes employees’ confidence and their potential to complete task meritoriously. In this course, the key insights and strategies of communication learned that can impact life and help in professional growth are body language, technology use, and direct and indirect communication.
In the workplace, interpersonal communication is utilized to create motivation, exchange information, applying punishment for inappropriate behavior, and express feelings. Misinterpretation mostly occurs when people in the office lack good communication skills to deal with different challenging situations. This can be avoided by utilizing the three insights gained in the lesson, which are the use of technology to increase reliability and direct and indirect messaging. Additionally, body language has been proved to be a critical aspect that aids in making a point understandable when conversing (Mumby & Kuhn, 2018). Therefore, I endeavor to apply these lessons in my life and career.
Technology
In modern era, technology has made organizational communication easier and faster through platforms such as teleconferences, texting, video calling, and direct messaging. In addition, it has made data collection reliable and rapid hence allowing leaders to make informed decisions needed to achieve the company’s goals (Gochhayat et al., 2017). Emailing relevant people enables one to track and pass information when workers are not in the same place. Before undertaking the course, its significance was unknown to me, but now it is clear that using electronic methods in passing messages makes distance challenge a non-factor.
In the workplace, criticism is important because it indirectly gauges employees’ and clients’ satisfaction levels. Electronic platforms such as online forums and video conferencing enable individuals to complain about the challenges faced in the job environment. This allows the management to get constructive criticism that can be changed for improvement. In my opinion, technology such as texting, videotapes, computer conferences, video conferences, and voice mail for communicating are to be used strictly for friends and peers only. But I have learned that it can be used for practical work and to enhance professionalism.
The coronavirus pandemic which struck most parts of the world this year has proved that organizational success, strength, and weakness are depended on agility, participation, and effective communication. The quarantine and social distancing measures implemented to control the spread of this disease have created uncertainties with clients and workers (Sanders et al., 2020). Thus, leaders are required to communicate earlier with all key company stakeholders during the crisis, especially employees, without meeting physically. Thus, technology such as zoom, which is an effective tool for communication, can be used for holding discussions in a specific scheduled time during the epidemic period.
Office meetings are currently not favorable because they evoke fear of exposure to the virus. Therefore, technology applications can play a critical role in passing information and running businesses. Electronic platforms such as video conferencing, skype, and zoom have been used for conducting meetings and communication. Thus, I plan to use technology to converse with my coworkers, supervisors, and acquaintances in my career especially through video conferencing calls to avoid physical meetings.
Direct and Indirect Communication
There are two styles for sharing information with people, direct communication occurs when a speaker’s intentions are expressed verbally and explicitly. In this type, the sender out rightly says their concern and desires at face value in a short, direct, and frank manner. Thus, the recipient does not need to analyze the info before obtaining the underlying meaning. This is because it is succinct and to the point.
Indirect communication refers to the act of gathering information from different sources including spoken words. In this type, a speaker’s desires and opinions are hidden during a conversation because concise statements or answers are rarely made. For instance, instead of replying “no” when a question is asked, one replies with either “possibly” or “maybe”. Thus, an audience needs to analyze and interpret messages in a conversation to obtain intentions or true meanings.
Indirect communication is perceived to be respectful and sophisticated; it shows courtesy and reverence to the recipient. This form of passing information engages all the people involved in a conversation. In addition, politeness is given priority over bluntness to avoid hurting or degrading someone else’s self-esteem when responding. The people preferring this style perceive straight messaging as being rude and harsh, on the other hand, indirect communicators find it evasive, non-committal, or untrustworthy.
Currently, I mostly utilize written communication for both academic assignments and work. I am a direct speaker when talking with my supervisors and coworkers or when using emails. However, the lessons have given me an insight that this language form may sound rude and harsh. Thus, I aim to incorporate indirect communication in conversations to earn respect from coworkers and to create a favorable environment for an open dialogue. This will enable me to learn from other staff and build strong relationships that will make work job enjoyable.
Body Language
Body language is the non-verbal form of communication that utilizes signs and movement to pass information. It takes a significant part of the daily conversation by being conveyed subconsciously in most cases. For instance, facial expression and parts of body movement emphasize the meaning of words spoken. The arms and legs are utilized to express nonverbal messages to a person one is communicating with, for example, legs crossing shows dislike or discomfort.
The crossing of arms is also a form of body language, when used in a conversation. It indicates a feeling of self-protection and defensiveness. Body position and eye contact are also utilized in communication; an open posture expresses willingness, friendliness, and openness while a closed one shows anxiety, unfriendliness, and hostility. Eye movement conveys the emotions and interest of a person during a talk and what an individual think. It is critical to maintain eye connection when engaging in a chat, dialogue, or discussion because it portrays attentiveness.
Maintaining eye contact during a conversation has been a struggle for me, this is a skill I need to learn that will help me in advancing my career. It is also important to know the appropriate contact to use during conversations. For example, increased connection is linked to dominance and connection, blinking or lack shows submissiveness while staring portrays hostility. Thus, there is a need for me to find a balance between not looking completely and ogling to enhance effective communication.
The body language insight has made me critically assess my actions during a one-on-one conversation with people. Notably, it is common for me to slouch when sitting and crossing my arm during a conversation. Since it has never been my intention to communicate using these styles, I plan to be conscious of the movements portrayed. Generally, this class taught me the importance of being aware of my eye contact, my arms and legs positioning, and posture.
Action Plan and Application
This organizational course has given me an interesting perspective on different forms of passing information that contributes to success in the workplace and academically. Nurturing effective communication in a company increases profits because workers are able to grasp the instructions needed. In addition, by applying the insights gained, I will be able to grow professionally by making connections with other people in a large business setup.
The global transformation in the mode of communication across the world facilitated by technology is the best innovation affecting many firms. However, the change experienced currently in the way information is exchanged and meetings are held is rapid. There is a need therefore for every person to familiarize themselves with the new norm through practice and learning to guarantee effective communication. For this reason, I will embrace technology use such as video conferencing, emails, and Zoom when discussing with my course mates, lecturers, and when communicating with workmates.
Effective communication is a tool that can be used to motivate employees, this can be done by clarifying their roles, and ways of performing a task. In addition, it is a source of information that can be used by members of an organization in decision-making processes. Mode of passing information plays a crucial role in altering employees’ attitude, since am well informed from this course, I will be able to handle my peers in a way that will uplift their morale, and enthusiasm to work, and improve performance.
Leaders in an organization need effective communication skills because it helps in organizing, planning, controlling, and leading subordinates. In my career, the insights gained will help in performing managerial responsibilities and jobs if I become a leader. In addition, it will spearhead the successful implementation and planning of new projects because key stakeholders will understand their role. Oral and written information is vital in controlling employees, however, perception of messages passed in regards to body language, direct messaging, and indirect messaging have an impact on reception. Therefore, mastering these insights has the potential of promoting effective communication that results in goal achievement.
Conclusion
Major lessons learned in this course are effective communication and means of passing information efficiently. Prior, I never cared about simple details that make significant differences in the perception of information. Now I know that both direct and indirect forms of communication depict the seriousness of what is being said. Furthermore, the importance of understanding the target audience when conversing to become respectful and subtle rather than blunt is currently etched in my mind.
References
Gochhayat, J., Giri, V. N., & Suar, D. (2017). Influence of organizational culture on organizational effectiveness: The mediating role of organizational communication. Global Business Review, 18(3), 691-702. Web.
Mumby, D. K., & Kuhn, T. R. (2018). Organizational communication: A critical introduction. Sage Publications.
Sanders, K., Nguyen, P. T., Bouckenooghe, D., Rafferty, A., & Schwarz, G. (2020). Unraveling the what and how of organizational communication to employees during COVID-19 pandemic: Adopting an attributional lens. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 56(3), 289-293. Web.