Communication in the Workplace

Effective communication in the workplace is vital. Max De Pree, author of The Art of Leadership, wrote, "There may be no single thing more important in our efforts to achieve meaningful work and fulfilling relationships than to learn and practice the art of communication" (La Lone, n.d., p. 3). Since a workplace is comprised of multiple people, the ability of those people to share their knowledge, coordinate, and collaborate is key to the successful conduct of business. Not only is it essential for management and staff to communicate well, but communication among staff and between staff and customers is also closely aligned with business success. Although many companies have internal communication vehicles such as newsletters or bulletins for disseminating company-related information, these forms of communication are not a satisfactory substitute for direct communication in the form of conversation, because "written communication is all one-way" (Osborne, 2004). Two-way communication facilitates a real exchange of information and provides the necessary environment for innovation and teamwork.

Not all communication is the same, however, and an understanding of the different types of communication and when they are most aptly used is beneficial. In addition, it is important to understand the barriers to communication that may exist, as well as the influence of personality types on communication and the advantages of act

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Verbal communication is the type that most people spend their time engaging in, and it is the most immediate and direct form. Through verbal communication, it is possible to communicate precise facts, personal feelings, and virtually any other information desired. Good verbal communication must be geared to the level of the hearer in order to be received properly, so the speaker must consider the hearer's background and listening abilities when framing a verbal communication. In addition, choosing vocabulary and imagery that the listener can identify with maximizes communication and makes it more likely that the listener will understand and receive what is being said. Persuasive Communication Much communication in the workplace is persuasive. The boss must persuade the workers to do a good job and complete work on time. The organization's leader must cast a compelling vision and bring everyone on board with it so that all are working toward the same goals with the same driving purpose. Employees may persuade the boss to give them a raise or promotion, or they may attempt to persuade him to adopt a creative idea they believe will improve conditions at work. All of these scenarios

Category: Business - C