Communication Principles

Posted: March 27th, 2020

Communication Principles

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Communication Principles

Communication is unavoidable, and individuals tend to select the messages that appeal to them. Bob is concerned about Fatima’s feelings, and he chooses to spend more time on this to find out the cause of the issue. People in the workplace have to interact with each other. Bob is observant, and he notices that there is something wrong with Fatima. Even though Fatima does not want to talk to him, she realizes that she does not have any other option since Bob continues to persist and they end up communicating. Despite insisting that she wants to be left alone, it becomes clear that Fatima intends to speak to someone about her experiences and she opens up to Bob about her problem. Fatima fails to realize that she can use her colleagues to endure past negative experiences. The lone wolf syndrome, which Fatima exhibits by continually rejecting Bob’s adamancy, is a negative feature in the workplace. Colleagues support each other when they work in teams, and enhance their welfare during such situations (Smith, 2012). At the end of the conversation, the protagonists experience happiness further indicating that Fatima has recuperated. The issue’s resolution is essential since it will ensure that she works well.

Communication is irreversible because the utterances that a person makes are irreversible irrespective of the consequences. This irreversibility is visible in both verbal and non-verbal communication. Bob wants to help his coworker, but Fatima strongly rejects his advances. As an outcome, he has to become defensive. Eventually, Bob realizes that Fatima does not want anything to do with him after telling him to leave her alone several times. Her attitude discourages Bob, and he looks down at the floor, probably because he feels terrible about the interaction he has had with Fatima. A person has to be aware of the messages he sends to others, whether verbally or non-verbally, and become aware of how others will perceive this message. According to Smith (2012), it is crucial to avoid negativity in the workplace. People who are always working to discourage and demoralize others are a poor reflection of the organization. Such individuals also hinder the organization from performing efficiently.

Communication is symbolic because words represent different ideas to people. This disparity in representation often leads to misunderstanding. The same words can have diverse interpretations for different people based on their backgrounds and cultures. At some point, Bob and Fatima think that the other is joking, but they each realize the misapprehension. Bob informs Fatima that he is not jesting when he says that he might start wearing his camos. He also expresses his displeasure when Fatima suspects him of thinking of her as an extremist. People tend to make the conversations about themselves in an attempt to demonstrate their empathy. Such individuals do this by focusing on their past encounters. However, people are often looking for understanding, and they may not want the person they are communicating with to use their experiences to compare their situations (Hedges, 2014). It is better and more appropriate to offer support during such times.

Bob and Fatima’s misunderstanding is based on the different forms that communication embodies in the workplace. Interaction is unavoidable based on the way Bob tries to assist Fatima consistently despite her rejections. However, the situation is resolved when she accepts his help, hence turning the workplace into a positive environment. Communication is also irreversible based on the distress caused by Fatima’s attitude toward Bob. Lastly, communication is symbolic and its interpretations vary due to the implications of people’s cultures and backgrounds. Understanding such aspects facilitates effective interface between people within the workplace.

References

Hedges, K. (2014). Five communication traits that turn people off. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2014/06/25/five-communication-traits-that-turn-people-off/.

Smith, J. (2012). 14 bad habits that can cost you your job. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/10/17/14-bad-habits-that-can-cost-you-your-job/#76ae8b3e5b53.