Interpersonal Communication at Your Workplace

Module 3 Conclusion

Through this module’s online lectures and textbook readings, you analyzed how values and ethics are developed. You also evaluated the importance of accepting and managing diversity effectively.

Here are the key points covered:

• The six value orientations—individualism or collectivism; preferred personality; view of human nature; human-nature relationship; power distance; long-term vs. short-term orientation—all influence how individuals and groups understand and respond to the world, which in turn, affects how they interact with others.
• In addition to being truthful, ethical communication involves deciding which information can and should be disclosed or withheld as well as assessing the benefits or harm associated with specific messages.
• Truthfulness plays a fundamental role in ethical communication due to two reasons, you expect messages to be truthful and messages have consequences. The ethical consequences of sharing or withholding information depend on whether it is likely to help people to make informed decisions or not. A message is considered legitimately private when other parties have no right to expect access to it. Finally, to be an effective communicator, you have to discern the benefits or harm associated with your messages.
• The process of determining ethical choices and decisions can be based on both individual perspective and communal perspective. When ethics are discussed in an organizational context, the rights of the individual, such as the right to free speech or privacy, assume importance. However, a communal approach focuses on the common good or the best interests of the entire community. The morality of an action is assessed based on its consequences for the group.
• The three barriers to accepting diversity include preconceptions or lack of knowledge, stereotyping, and prejudice. These internal barriers however, can be overcome by increasing motivation, increasing knowledge of self and others, and avoiding stereotypes.
• Diversity can enhance your interpersonal effectiveness by increasing your opportunities, enhancing your abilities at work, and improving your self-awareness.