Climate Essay

Danielle Beliveau

HCS/131

9/21/2015
Linda Widjaja

Climate Essay

Listening is a very important part of workplace communication. It is imperative that a person understand a message that may be communicated to them in any type of workplace environment in order to respond effectively. It is important to have active listening skills in the work place. Some ways to have more active listening skills is to first, take an interest in the speaker and their message. In the workplace day to day operations can be busy and many people around talking and causing interruptions. However, when a message is being presented by a person’s manager or supervisor, or co-worker, it is important that the person be attentive and willing to understand the message they are about to receive and block out any distractions around them. Focusing your attention on the speaker and their message will show that a person is interested in what the speaker is saying. Many people lead busy lives and have children, husbands, or love interests. Day dreaming is a big distraction when trying to focus in the work place. People tend to think about other things when they are board or disinterested. However, if a message is being presented in the work place it is important that a person gives full attention to the message being delivered as it could mean the difference between something being done right or something being done wrong and for some can mean disastrous consequences for them. Another way a person may listen is to acknowledge the emotion presented in a message the sender is presenting will help a person to respond effectively and show that the message was received and processed correctly. However, controversial subjects or disagreements can often lead to a person interrupting the other so they may get their own message in quickly. This is considered rude and can lead to heated discussions in which both parties tend to not listen to the message that was presented in the beginning. Sometimes allowing a person to finish their thought/message that they are trying to convey, then speaking when they are finished instead of interrupting can lead to a better conversation and less hostility, which in turn leads to a message being conveyed even if there is a disagreement. When in the workplace, some key things to keep in mind are, be attentive, if a person is paying attention to the person speaking and less to the distractions that may surround them you are more apt to receive the message they are sending. Be opportunistic, a person who is being opportunistic is more apt to solve issues that may arise and think outside the box to solve problems. Giving and receiving feedback is a great way to learn from mistakes made or improve business. In most work places there are those who are supportive and those who are defensive when they are communicating messages to employees. If a Supportive work climate is present then a manager or co-worker is assertive, to the point, honest, and respectful in the message they put forth. When being supportive you are able to gain the respect of your peers/associates. This makes the work environment calm and work is done efficiently. Having a supportive manager or supervisor can ease the everyday stresses of work; it can also be easier to approach them with any issues that come up as they are more apt to assist with solving a problem. When working in a supportive climate, associates are more apt to treat clients with respect and want the business to flourish and do well. It is important to realize that having an open line of communication with managers, and co-workers makes the workplace a more pleasant place to be. Having a manager that is on one’s side and has an open door policy can greatly improve moral and shape a great work environment. In work places where there is a defensive climate, most times the hostility starts with management. If the manager is aggressive they will come off as defensive, or rude, or even controlling in their message which can be disrespectful and can make for a hostile work environment. Many times in these situations businesses will have a high employment turnover. Also in defensive work climate you will find low productivity and employees who hate their jobs, which in turn shines upon how they react with a client. In conclusion it is imperative that one tries to listen and understand any messages that are being conveyed to them and to be supportive, open, and honest so that the work environment remains calm and can run smoothly and effectively.

References (Thomas Cheeseboro, 2010)