Professional Communication

Professional communication

Various forms of speaking, listening, writing, and responding are carried out both in and beyond the workplace, whether in person or electronically.

Interactions with others to accomplished a goal or perform a task in a workplace context (include)

• Employment/co-workers

• Labor unions and advocacy groups

• Volunteer and service groups

• Community and citizen organizations

• Professional associations

Co-worker Relationships (criteria)

• Individual excellence

• Investment

• Information

• Integration

• Integrity

Gossip

Small talk about personal affairs/activities with or without a known basis in fact (inner-circleness)

• EX: speculations, rumours, unverified information

Goals

• Deliver bad news/criticism clearly, concisely, and respectfully

• Help the employee accept bad news by showing fairness and logic

• Maintain and build goodwill

• Convey a one-time message

Considerations

• Deal with it promptly

• Give a concise factual explanation

• Avoid timid or overly apologetic language

• Avoid hinting with phrases such as sorry, I regret, or unfortunately

• Listen more than you speak

The feedback sandwich

1) Compliment

2) Criticism

3) Compliment

Alternative method (of deliver criticism)

1) Make a suggestion for a change in behaviour

2) Give two reasions why you think it is a good idea

3) Make an encouraging comment about the person, his/her abilities, etc.

10 common communitication blunders at work

• Avoid difficult conversations

• Not being assertive

• Reacting, not responding

• Not being thoroughly prepared

• Using a one size fits all

• Not remaining open minded

• Assuming that you are understood

• Violating others privacy

• Not edition your work

• Communicating bad news by email

Tips for effective professional communication

• Be informed

• Consider situation/context before you communicate

• Focus on problemss, not personalities

• Check your emotions

• Consider the perspective of thers

• Formulate your message (think before you speak)

• Avoid personalizing criticism

• Communicate on difficult topics face to face

Self-Disclosure (in the workplace)

It is the careful, purposeful sharing of personal information that serves a professional or relational goal without compromising boundaries.

• Builds trust or rapport

• Supports teamwork or collaboration

• Helps patients or colleagues understand context relevant to care or communication

Reasons for self disclosure

• Catharsis

• Self clarification

• Self validation

• Reciprocity

• Impression management

• Relationship maintenance and enhancement

• Control

Characteristics of effective self disclosure

• Relevant

• Purporeful

• Brief and clear

• Timely (the right moment)

• Respectful of boundaries

• Reciprocal awareness/symmetrical

• Emotionally appropriate

Commonly over-shared topics

• Personal relationships

• Health issues

• Financial matters

• Work complaints

• lifestyle choices/changes

• Politics, religion

• Salary information

• Emotional outbursts/crying

Disclosure (considerations)

• Consider your audience

• Balance professional and personal

• Use discretion