The Roles and Challenges of Communication in the Workplace
Eric J. Guignard, MPA
13039 Glen Ct., Chino Hills, CA
Published by Eric J. Guignard at Smashwords
Copyright Eric J. Guignard 2010-2011
All Rights Reserved
ISBN: 978-1-4659-0510-9
Cover design by Eric J. Guignard
Abstract: This article discusses the appropriate roles of communications within the workplace as well as challenges that are caused by poor communications. Topics explored, include: Understanding cultural differences, creating positive climate, understanding communication flow, and use as a strategic networking tool.
Keywords: Communication; Business; Workplace; Organization; Global; Relationship; Culture; Role; Leadership
Communication in the workplace is an imperative tool and process to develop and enhance relationships amongst peers, staff, and customers. It encompasses everything from the minutia of small print legalese in written documents to the passionate oratory speeches of political leaders. Communications can enhance any company and individual while, on the other hand, potentially produce as much damage, if it is not properly understood and controlled toward constructive influences.
Communication provides many challenges, including understanding cultural differences as well as creating positive climate and supportive behaviors. It is also requisite to understand the flow and hierarchy of communications within the workplace and, in addition, to be able to monitor and organize. Communications can be utilized as a strategic tool and a source of networking, amongst other implementations, which are all recognized and utilized by the conscientious and socially literate leader. These are all interrelated ideas that I will discuss in detail.
Communications in the global workplace provides an interactive influx of ideas and information. Truly, through modern technology, the wide-ranging and rapid availability of data is a brilliant advancement of civilization. However, in the face of this “Brave New World” of information, there are challenges that must be understood and resolved or accommodated. This is especially prevalent in global companies that operate internationally. Although the actual communications itself, either written or verbal, may be clear and direct, there are cultural differences which may rise up to cause issues such as misunderstandings which in turn lead to a breakdown in the flow of information.
An example of this may be seen in the content of e-mails between employees working in two different nations, China and the United States. The employees may operate within the same company, performing the same duties, but are also accustomed to cultural differences of what is considered “normal." In America, it may be customary to begin an e-mail with a greeting and end with a salutation, whereas in e-mails of Chinese employees, it is customary to simply deliver a message. An American may perceive this to be a lack of politeness and interpret it as being rude, whereas the Chinese correspondent believes that they have composed the e-mail in the most efficient, productive, and timely manner.