Communication is an essential aspect in determining how people relate to each other in offices. In the office where I work, communication is conducted through direct one-on-one interactions, through social networks, and other digitalized forms. Internally, most of the communication is conducted through verbal communication, emails, written memos, telephone messaging or instant messaging and calls. Official communication is passed through emails and written memos while informal communication is passed through instant messaging. Utilizing these different forms of communication allows easy flow of information from the top leaders to the subordinates. Externally, information is communicated through emails, teleconference calls, and direct telephone calls.
Office politics contribute to the interaction between people in the office. Some of the factors that contribute to office politic in the organization include secrets about the organization’s operations and strategies, gossip, and sessions where some of the employees complain about the organizational leaders. The water cooler group refer to the cohesion among employees created through coffee breaks and short meetings at the water cooler. Cohesion enables the organization to assess the face-to-face contact, interaction, and communication between the employees. The interconnection between the employees promotes a healthy working relationship and environment in the office (Pentland; Sun).
Like any other office, conflicts are common among employees and the managers. Some of the ways used to resolve conflicts in our office include talking with the other person, practicing effective listening skills and ensuring that the other person feels important. Other methods used to resolve conflicts in the office include encouraging the employees to have an open mind and engage in healthy discussion rather than meaningless arguments. Aside from these, employee workshops and training are also used to resolve conflicts in the office.
Works Cited
Pentland, Alex “Sandy”. The Water Cooler Effect: Fewer Memos, More Coffee Breaks. 22 November 2009. Accessed https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/reality-mining/200911/the-water-cooler-effect. Web. 18 May 2018.
Sun, Calvin. 10 Ways to Survive Office Politics. 28 June 2009. Accessed https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-ways-to-survive-office-politics/. Web. 18 May 2018.