Effective Workplace Communication: Building Strong Relationships

Relationships in the Workplace

What is Communication?

Communication is a circular process involving a sender, a message, and a receiver. This process also includes the channel, noise, code, and context. In this circular process, elements influence each other.

Axioms of Human Communication

1. It's Impossible Not to Communicate - Behavior = Communication

Communication is a fluid and multifaceted process with many modes of behavior (verbal, postural, tonal, context), where all elements contribute to the meaning conveyed to others.

All behavior is communication. Everything we do communicates something. Even ignoring communication is a form of communication. For example, consider the interaction (or lack thereof) when we share an elevator with a stranger.

In such a scenario, there are two people: one wants to communicate, and the other does not.

• Rejection of communication
• Acceptance of communication
• Disqualified communication (ignoring): Techniques can include tangentialization, self-contradictions, inconsistencies, misunderstandings, literal interpretations of metaphors, changing the subject, etc.
• Symptom communication: Feigning drowsiness, deafness, drunkenness, ignorance of the language, or using deficiencies or disabilities to justify the failure to communicate.

2. All Communication Has a Content Aspect and a Relational Aspect

The content aspect refers to the information being conveyed, while the relational aspect defines how the communication is interpreted and affects the relationship between the communicators. The goal of communication determines which aspect is dominant.

Communication can be categorized as:

• Content (what?): Information, data, "report"
• Relationship (how?): Instructions, order, "command"

The goal of communication is achieved when the intended message is understood as intended.

Examples:

• "Ignore this sign" (paradox)
• "Are these genuine pearls?" (Content, relationship, competitive, friendly, commercial)

3. The Nature of a Relationship Depends on the Score of the Communication Sequences

Exchange patterns (rules) organize communication sequences.

4. We Communicate Both Digitally (Logical Syntax) and Analogically (Semantics/Meanings)

This relates to the content and relationship aspects of communication.

5. All Communication Exchanges Are Symmetrical or Complementary

Symmetry is based on equality, while complementarity is based on difference.

There are two complementary positions:

• Participant 1: Superior/Primary
• Participant 2: Inferior/Secondary

Communication Networks

Formal Networks

1. Circle Network

Features:

• Information is readily available to all.
• Effective for solving complex problems.
• Hinders the emergence of a leader.
• Communication is slower.

2. Chain Network

Features:

• Each person communicates with the one closest to them.
• Operates hierarchically.

3. Star Network

Features:

• Facilitates the emergence of a leader.
• Multi-channel

4. All-Channel Network

Features:

• Allows all members to communicate with each other.
• High satisfaction, but sometimes ineffective in solving problems.

Informal Networks

• Rumor Mill
• Chain (not based on hierarchy)
• Random