Communicating Effectively in the Workforce

Chapter 6Difficult Communication

Learning objectives

• Distinguish among the following difficult communication patterns:
  • Hostile-aggressive
  • Passive-aggressive
  • Procrastinating
  • Negative-complaining
  • Arrogant
• Apply coping techniques to use with difficult communication patterns.
• Identify and respond to the following verbal aggression and hostile communication patterns:
  • Blaming
  • Placating
  • Computing
  • Distracting
  • Leveling
• Identify games played in the workplace.

Complex situations at work

Sometimes it seems that life and work are getting more complicated. One factor behind this feeling may be the cultural changes that require us to learn new ways of communicating. For example, Annamarie Houlis points out that commenting on a coworker’s appearance is not always wrong, but may be irrelevant at work and may cause awkward moments. To take another example, if you are confused about the increased awareness of gender identity, you may want to read “Talking About Pronouns in the Workplace,” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This article will help explain why internal gender identity is a factor in naming bathrooms and in addressing colleagues.

A third example of culture changes having an impact on the workplace is the rise of social media. Should we telephone, text, email, or use social media? The article, “Should I Allow My Employees to Use Facebook at Work?,” argues that there are benefits as well as disadvantages associated with this practice.

Distinguish among difficult communication ...