Executive Summary - Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

ePortfolio Part 2 – Executive Summary – Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

Introduction:

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication plays a major role in the workplace and it also depends how effective the workplace is. Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and meaning through verbal and nonverbal message: it is face-to-face communication. It is a complex process that can be described in simplified terms by a sender and a receiver who exchange messages containing ideas and feelings mixed together (Handbook of Interpersonal Communication, 1994). Verbal and Nonverbal communication in the workplace relates to interpersonal communication because in the workplace persons communicate with one another in various ways depending on the setting and the situation.

Background:

In the workplace communication skills are very important being that persons are dealing with all types of personalities. However, to understand my assessment one must know the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication. Verbal communication is the use of sounds and words to express yourself, especially in contrast to using gestures or mannerisms (Interpersonal Communication Skills). Nonverbal communication is when you express yourself or messages without words (Lucas, 2013). Communication skills are among the most important skills for businesspeople. Different jobs in the workplace cause for attending and participating in workshops that aim to hone important communication skills. Research shows that a full 93% of all communication is nonverbal – 55% comes from body language and 38% from tone of voice (Kudesia and Elgenbein, 2013). Nonverbal communication is widely acknowledged in the workplace, but it is vastly under-researched and often times it is misunderstood. Nonverbal communication stand for more in the workplace that it usually is used. It also displays status and power. Often times CEOs, supervisors, or managers can subconsciously manage their status by displays of posture, body orientation, and vocal dynamics. Those displays usually suggest less status difference between them and their subordinates (Kudesia and Elgenbein, 2013). As far as verbal communication is occurs in more clearer ways in the workplace which, people to know more about those because it is more common to them. Verbal communication is shown in the workplace through ways such as meetings, presentations, workshops, and conversations. Meetings play a major role in the workplace, because that is where brainstorming, sharing, and many other things are done to keep persons in the know of their company. Verbal communication occurs in meetings when participants share their ideas. In presentations effective verbal communication occurs when business professionals give presentations to convey their expertise on a particular topic. In workshops verbal communication is used to direct activities for participants. That happens when leaders guide participants of the workshop to researching ideas, solving problems, negotiating solutions, and making decisions. In conversations effective verbal communication occurs when the speaker acknowledges the sensitivity of the subject, time constraints, and types of questions the receiver might ask (Duggan, 2015). It is definitely much easier for one to understand verbal communication in the workplace because the examples of it are shown in various ways. However, it is very important to keep in mind that one is not more important that the other. They both are essential to creating a successful and healthy workplace environment.

Critical Assessment:

Though I explained how verbal and nonverbal communication is effectively used in the workplace, but in reality there are many dilemmas is the workplaces of today. There are more challenges in the workplace that are creating unhealthy work environments and that is leading to more people wanting to be entrepreneurs or seek retirement sooner than later. One of the top problems in the workplace today are language barriers, personal issues, lack of feedback, and new hires. Having a diverse workplace has several benefits to a business or company, because it can lead to a variety of solutions to company issues and insight into international markets during expansion. However, language barriers can sometimes occur in the workplace and that causes a communication problem. The language barrier is possibly between people of different ethnic backgrounds, age differences, and people with different levels of industry behavior (Small Business). This causes conflict because persons are not trying to understand of know whom their employees or employers are. One cannot coincide together in the workplace if they do not have an understanding of who each other are. In order for people to work together in the workplace they have to get to know each other to create a positive work environment for each other. Effective communication in the workplace occurs when it is organized and the vision of the company is clear. When employees allow their personal issues to affect their role in the company it creates the problem of others picking up the slack when they are lacking and it causes tension between employees. Often times when this happens employees will not speak the person on a one on one level and just go straight the manager to get a solution to the problem. People who refuse to communicate based on a personal disagreement do not realize that they are damaging the company’s ability to do business and slowing the growth of the organization (Small Business). When personal issues affect the workplace it not only causes friction between employees, but it also could lead to major problems within the company. Communication is the key between employees and employers to make sure that it flows properly. Feedback is one of the most important aspects of a company especially when working on major projects or accounts. When ideas come about and different aspects of projects are being done feedback is crucial. One way communication can become an ineffective way to exchange information throughout the company. Employees and managerial staff should provide feedback at all times to improve the quality of information disseminated and the manner in which information is delivered (Small Business). When employees and employers cannot simply talk to one another then that creates even bigger problems. A company simply cannot be successful when their employees they cannot communicate with one another. When new hires start with a company often times they are only given a slight overview of what the company is about and that leads to them being somewhat unprepared. When they are brought into an organization they need to receive a complete comprehension of what the company is about, their vision, and the roles that everyone plays to make sure that the company succeeds. When companies do not do this with new hires it causes them to be brushed off and thrown into situations prematurely. This leads to projects not being worked on properly and possibly leading to conflict within departments. The workplace will never work properly until these problems are rectified properly. It takes time but it is not impossible to complete.

Advice for Best Practices:

As my college career is coming to an end and I am getting closer to my career path I have a few solutions to help companies effectively be successful. Communication is key amongst all relationships no matter if they are professional or personal. The main aspect of interpersonal communication is face-to-face communication amongst one another. With our society becoming more through technology savvy through various way of communication it is causing the workplace to mainly communicate through it, and end result the workplace is losing sight of face-to-face communication. Companies need to know that working together is the main goal in order for them to effectively coincide and be successful. It should be mandatory that companies learn who they are working with and how to properly communicate with one another. Often times in the workplace it is taught to adapt to different personalities instead of getting to know them. When persons do not take the time to get to know one another it causes them to tolerate each other or it causes cliques. Though the term clique may seem juvenile, but it happens a lot in the workplace because persons do not take the time to learn their employees and employers. The workplace has the ability to communicate properly but companies need to push it more instead of focusing more on the success of the companies. True corporations are successful when everyone works together.

Conclusion:

I can only hope that the workplace becomes a more enjoyable and effective place for now as well as in the future. This is possible if companies take the time to know their employees and not let the advancement of technology be the only form of communication. The workplace has many problems, but companies can be thriving more if they work at knowing to properly communication with one another through interpersonal communication. Verbal and nonverbal communication will always exist but in the workplace it is only lacking because persons do not want to work on it. I believe that the workplace can be fun and professional while employees are not only excelling to brining success to the company when everyone works together.

Reference page:

Adler, R. B., Elmhorst, J. M., & Lucas, K. (2013). Communicating at work: Strategies for success in business and the professions. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Duggan, T. (n.d.). Examples of Verbal Communication in the Workplace. Retrieved September 25, 2015, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/examples-verbal-communication-workplace-10936.html

Examples of Communication Problems in the Workplace. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2015, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/examples-communication-problems-workplace-11243.html

Interpersonal Communication Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/interpersonal-communication.html

Review: HANDBOOK OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION. (1994). BMS: Bulletin of Sociological Methodology / Bulletin De Méthodologie Sociologique, No. 45, 143-144.