Actions vs. Words Essay Example

Actions vs. Words Essay Example Actions vs. Words Essay Actions vs. Words Essay Abstract There are various types of communication, the most common form of communication is verbal. Verbal communication is used on a daily basis, but there is non-verbal communication that could contradict the words being stated or written. In this paper, I will examine such contradictions in verbal and non-verbal communication in my office. I will also examine various types of listening skills important for deciphering non-verbal communication. Non-verbal Communication – Actions vs. Words Verbal communication is very important in the business world, but it is often the non-verbal language that accompanies the verbal communication that determines what is taken from the conversation. A person may verbally confirm that they are fine with a situation, but their non-verbal communication (body language) may convey otherwise. Concept To Promotion is typically a very smooth running organization, there are very conflicts among the team members. There is also limited opportunity for discipline. I was recently included in a meeting in which two team members were being reprimanded for a conflict that had been handled poorly. These two individuals have dominant personalities, which means that they both want to be in charge of the assigned task, which led to conflict among the team. The meeting included the company president, the human resource director, the individuals involved and myself. I was asked to the meeting as I am the warehouse supervisor and one of the individuals involved was a warehouse employee. These employees each thought that the work should be performed according to their own schedules without regard to the requirements of the company. The specific task assigned was a direct mailing for a large electronic corporation. According to USPS and UPS standards shipments will not be accepted for next day delivery after 5 P. M. on normal business days excluding holidays. The individual in charge of the project was to process the file, print labels and postage for the mailing. The warehouse employee was to pull the mailings and apply the labels to them in time for them to ship. The file was not being processed in a timely fashion and causing the warehouse employee to rush and still not be able to meet the deadlines. During the meeting each person was addressed individually in regards to their behavioral choices and interaction within the team. Both individuals indicated verbally that they understood the situation and how the disagreement should have been handled. I did however observe one individual rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, which indicated to me that she felt that the meeting was a waste of her time because the other individual was clearly at fault for the situation. This particular individual did not take criticism well and was offended by the conversation in the meeting. I am sorry to say that this particular individual did not take what was said to heart and was fired due to repeat issues. I believe that if this individual were pulled into a private conversation with her manager or the president regarding her non-verbal communication during the meeting and been assured that this was a serious situation. Her manager should have confirmed that this type of behavior would not be tolerated and if continued it could lead to termination. This individual would have greatly benefitted from direct communication in which the seriousness of the situation was laid out in clear terms, which could leave no room for interpretation. Listening skills are also important when interacting in a business environment. A manager must be able to not only listen to verbal communication, but non-verbal communication as well. This would help to ensure that situations such as the one outlined above be avoided. If the individual’s manager had picked up one her body language during the meeting the situation could have been dealt with more effectively. Managers should be taught how to listen to non-verbal communication such as body language, facial expression and attire in order to effectively manage subordinates. It is very important that managers pay close attention to a subordinate’s non-verbal communication in any situation, but especially in a discipline setting. By addressing non-verbal communication as well as the issue at the same time a manager can be assured that the individual understands how serious the situation is and how to handle future situations to ensure that there will be no further discipline required. Communication when dealing with subordinates should include mainly words with denotative meanings. This will help the manager be certain that the individual understands what is expected and these expectations will be met.