Interpersonal Communication Review

The significance of effective communication in the contemporary business world is of utmost importance. Professional skills and expertise without good verbal exchange can make a business exit the market because of failing to reap profit goals (Locker & Kaczmarek, 2009). Globalization has been confronted with challenges because of the divergence in the culture that would possibly result in culture clashes. The enterprise world should, therefore, promote policies that enhance intercultural competence anchored on the quality measures to promote the diversity. Besides verbal communication, non-verbal communication help in realizing the set dreams and interests and should no longer be underestimated. Effective verbal communication entails the use of verbal skills in conveying a message extra clear. For the message to be passed, the sender must ensure that there is a good interpretation in order to avoid possible confusion and conflict. Effective verbal communication is anchored on the understanding of the consumer needs which is essential for the success of the business (Wiener & Mehrabian, 1968). Non-verbal communication entails a number of expression modes like posture, physiological response posture, and eye contact. With the rise of globalization, businesses are being forced to understand intercultural communication for an effective management. In the assessment of intercultural communication, it is vital for business to promote any form of diversity in culture.

Verbal Communication

Verbal communication is important in ensuring that there is an effective flow of information between work colleagues as well as clients. Improper use of words or the choice of bad language when dealing with clients or colleagues gives a wrong impression of the organization. Arguments in business are common especially when pushing for one's ideas in a democratic style of leadership. In such cases, workers come up with good points that can improve the organizational success, but this has to be done with a reasonable degree of persuasion. Good ideas presented with bad communication results to a dismissal, hence making a company lose important tips and contributions towards the realization of set goals.

Verbal communication dominates the business environment as a mean of passing across thoughts in words. The thoughts can be the inform of opinions, objections, dissatisfaction, and directions. Using the telephone is a common practice in most businesses, a practice that calls for a good mastery of verbal communication skills. The delivery of information across large distances through the telephone does not entail the use of slang language. Message recipients, in this case, are not able of reading other signals for communication, thus calling for the messenger to be descriptive enough for the message to be delivered as it is. Important verbal communication skills are further employed in business conferences where ideas, thoughts, and information are presented in an appealing manner that motivates of change the behavior of audiences.

Non-verbal communication

People happen to be communicating even if they are not talking. When two people meet or start an interaction, the transmission of signals comes first before negotiations or talks. Non-verbal communication encompasses a wide range of signals sent without speaking and include the use of tools such as the eyes, gestures, physical appearance and facial expression. Even before opening mouths, appearances, and gestures are important signals that can be used to state our stand before engaging in verbal communication. Businesses make great losses because of the bad behaviors that do not follow the outlined culture for non-verbal communication to avoid misunderstandings. The non-verbal cues can go unnoticed unless one pays more attention in identifying them in the senders and message recipients. Business leaders need to effectively learn this skill in order to read the workers intentions even without listening to them.

Non-verbal communications in gatherings determine whether the message being passed across will be effective or not. Maintaining the right body posture is, for example, an effective way of creating a good image to those people around, in events such as conferences, seminars, and business presentation. People communicating in such forums should ensure that they are maintaining the right body language that also incorporates physical movements that are well coordinated to add weight to the message. Besides, maintaining an eye contact with the audience is an effective way of drawing the audiences’ attention by showing them that you have confidence in the message that is being delivered. Failing to make this eye contact can make people doubt the credibility of the message being delivered and they might eventually switch off.

Relationship between Verbal and Non-verbal Communication

Verbal and non-verbal communication are related and mostly applied in the business field in processes like recruitment. Regardless of how well a candidate is in the language command, the knowledge of body cues can help in making a judgement for the selection of the best-fit candidate. Recruiters used the relationship between verbal and non-verbal cues to measure the degrees of confidence, determination, and nervousness. Renown scholars in public administration such as (Kate Halpen) argued that the body language can determine whether a candidate secure a job or not. Messages should therefore not be in conflict with body language otherwise, the move will be interpreted as a deception, hence the loss of the employment opportunity. During such scenarios where a blend of verbal and non-verbal communication is crucial, candidates should always ensure that they are confident enough and whenever possible, maintaining an eye contact when answering questions.

When combining verbal and non-verbal communication it very difficult for the body language to lie on the non-verbal cues. Adrian Furnham, however, had a different opinion that to get the real meaning of a message conveyed. To him verbal cues are more important than the non-verbal cues (Furnham, 1979). However, he appreciates that non-verbal cues could be boosted through the body language, preferably, a face to face form of communication. The two types of communication are therefore undoubtedly interrelated, having been previously utilized in the business world particularly in the recruitment process.

Intercultural communication

Intercultural communication focus on the exchange of information between two parties with a different cultural background (Ting-Toomey & Chung, 2005). When participants do not share the language or vary in their religious and ethical values, intercultural communication becomes difficult. There should be guidelines in the organization that shows the best ways to achieve mutual respect amongst the parties communicating in order to promote a mutual respect and discourages expressions that are fuelled by antagonism or animosity. Besides, misunderstandings and possible clashes should be kept at the bare minimum. The best business leaders are the ones that have intercultural, multicultural and cross-cultural competencies and abilities to strick endless negotiations. Our minds harbor stereotypes and prejudices that we spread to other cultures. The approach may start small like using them to crack a joke or make mocking comments that eventually cause a bad relationship between people because of looking down upon them. The end results of such prejudices and stereotypes can cause a business to incur large losses, coupled with diplomatic and political strains.

Improving Communication Competency

Communication competence is the knowledge of appropriate and effective communication as well as the ability to utilize and effectively adapt to the knowledge derived from different contexts (Spitzberg, 1983). People should always look for ways to develop their communication competence because of the may accruing benefits. One of the most effective ways of promoting communication competence is becoming a more mindful type of communicator. Such a communicator is effective in the processing of information and is keen to follow the rules that guide sensitive contexts in communication. A mindful communicator gets a chance to enjoy many benefits like avoiding stereotypes, achieving communication goals and reducing the chances of conflict.

Improving the communication competency also entails knowing the various dimensions that competence can take. Although there are many rules that guide non-verbal communication, people do not get explicit instructions on the guidelines on how to go about it. We, therefore, learn through the trial and error technique with our verbal communication. Although competence mostly focuses on the verbal and non-verbal aspects, it should be noted that it also applies in other contexts. Improving competence further entail the improvement in skills, knowledge, and motivation. It is not enough for people to know what good communication is all about without having the motivation to be reflecting on the best ways to enhance those communication skills. Improvement of competency is an aspect that people should strive towards because life is full of events in which our communications skills are constantly put to test.

References

Furnham, A. (1979). Assertiveness in three cultures: Multidimensionality and cultural differences. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 35(3), 522-527.

Locker, K. O., & Kaczmarek, S. K. (2009). Business communication: Building critical skills. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Spitzberg, B. H. (1983). Communication competence as knowledge, skill, and impression. Communication Education, 32(3), 323-329.

Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. C. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New York: Oxford University Press.

Wiener, M., & Mehrabian, A. (1968). Language within language: Immediacy, a channel in verbal communication. Ardent Media.