Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication at the Workplace

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Findings
Discussion. Intercultural communication
Conclusions
Works Cited

Abstract

This academic paper looks into interpersonal communication and the issues that affect it or are in play when it is present within the workplace. The paper tries to answer whether different cultures have an effect on interpersonal communication at the workplace and whether evolving processes that enlarge the culture by building on its strengths and functional elements have a positive impact.

As a result the research paper looks into how business owners can utilize interpersonal communication and the different cultures at work to both theirs and employees’ advantage to creating a conducive and motivated working environment

Introduction

The business under case study has been in existence for slightly more than one year. It is a general practitioner business engaged in medical consultation. Mr. Smith the owner of the PharmaMed General Practitioners, states that it is a fulfilling venture as for both him and his employees.

Subsequently, he and his employees are able to interact with people of various and diverse cultures that come to seek solutions for a myriad of medical issues.

The business has five employees both full time and part time. Communication models are very useful tools which enable us to come to terms with elusive or intricate concepts. Communication theory has engendered many models, most notably the transmission approach and the transactional approach

Methodology

Data for this study was obtained through interviewing the owner and proprietor of the business. A set of questions was prepared by the interviewer to guide in the obtaining of information about inter personal communication in an intercultural setting.

The interview was explained to the reasons of the interview and the need for the specific information being searched for (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel 79). The findings were then later compiled and presented in a write up that clearly outlined intercultural/interpersonal communication and its benefits in the workplace.

The research was based on finding out the impact of diversity in culture within the workplace. The research respondent (interviewee) was asked a number of questions in regards to communication issues he encounters on a day to day basis at his workplace.

It was perceived that the interviewee had information at hand regarding his business organization and on the required questions as this had been explained before hand while scheduling for the interview.

Findings

The study found out that there is need for further study and research on multicultural placed business organizations. This is due to the fact that the work place today does not only contain people from the same culture but a diverse grouping.

The study also found out that the client base is also culturally diversified and there is need for employees to be well informed on how to deal with various cultures (Novinger, 57).

The academic study also found out that from the information obtained from the interviewee, most local clients were made up of various cultures and understanding them was not all that easy but the employees did their best to serve them. The research found out that the world today is faced with a myriad of issues stemming up from a misunderstanding of the multicultural workplace.

Discussion. Intercultural communication

Cultures vary quite extensively as is the case shown by the case study here. Among the employees and also among those that come for services from the business. Previous studies suggest that being objective about culture is utterly impossible.

This is attributed to the fact that one is surrounded by their own personal culture to a point that it feels like that is what is only there and everyone should adhere to it. It becomes rather hard for people to appreciate other cultures apart from their own (Neuliep 66). Therefore this brings out the need for intercultural compounded with interpersonal communication especially within the work place.

However, first one has to understand what intercultural communication is and entails. In today’s globalised world that is business oriented and driven overseas business trips and globalization are an integral part of many business organizations (Jandt 134).

The skill of managing intercultural relations, and predicting intercultural issues should be an integral part for all business managers. The need for intercultural communication is driven by the astonishing levels of perception into the realities of this globalised world brought about by the diverse cultures.

Each person has his or her own cultural value system, ways of doing things, beliefs, and preferences. When communicating with these people it is important to know what and how to say things, how to organize things, and what to take into account, or (expensive) mistakes might be made (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel 133).

To be able to set up an organization in this multicultural world a business manager should be able to identify and explain the importance of improved intercultural communication skills within businesses and be able to appreciate the advantages of a diversified workforce in their specific industry and other industries in the business world (Sarbaugh 121).

In addition to this, an understanding business manager who is sensitive to existing cultural background of others especially his employees, is able to adjust the suggestions one wants to make to the existing constraints and limitations that face the existence of an organization (Scollon & Scollon 187).

This creates a better working environment for employees. These elements underline the importance of being able to manage intercultural communication issues (Trenholm & Jensen 97).

As the world becomes increasingly globalised; and information communication technology erodes borders, intercultural communication becomes increasingly important for any manager, especially in the world of business (Samovar, Porter & McDaniel 22).

The key concept to retain in communication, is that no one component of communication – 1. The emotional [non-verbal]; 2.the cognitive [verbal] and 3.the philosophical [discourse] – functions in isolation for very long. Unless a handicap is present, an individual operates from all three sectors whenever he/she is communicating.

Conclusions

Intercultural communication is necessary at the workplace as a business manager is able to tap on the emotional strength of their employees to manage both their own and their clients anxiety as learning and change become more and more a part of life.

Making use of interpersonal and intercultural communication helps the business to practice empathy and to see the world as others see it, and understand others’ behavior from their perspective.

Development of new skills in studying cultural postulations; recognizing functional and dysfunctional postulations and surfacing developments that make bigger the culture by engaging its potency and functional elements are vital elements for the business mix in today’s globalized business world.

Works Cited

Jandt, Fred. Intercultural communication: a global reader. Teller Road: SAGE, 2004. Print.

Neuliep, James. Intercultural communication: a contextual approach. Teller Road: Sage, 2008. Print.

Novinger, Tracy. Intercultural communication: a practical guide. El Paso: University of Texas Press, 2001. Print. 210 pages

Samovar, Larry, Porter, Richard & McDaniel, Edwin. Communication Between Cultures, New York: Cengage Learning, 2001. Print.

Samovar, Larry, Porter, Richard & McDaniel, Edwin. Intercultural Communication: A Reader. New York: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.

Sarbaugh, Luke. Intercultural communication. Piscataway Township: Transaction Publishers, 1988. Print.

Scollon, Ronald, & Scollon, Suzanne. Intercultural communication: a discourse approach San Francisco: Wiley-Blackwell, 2001. Print.

Trenholm, Sarah, & Jensen, Arthur. Interpersonal communication New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print.

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