Introduction
Understanding oneself is a pre requisite of understanding others. If we are not able to understand our selves better, then we may have problems in understanding others. For us to interact well with others, we need to posses good communication and people skills. These skills enable us to express our selves better to others, so that they can get to understand us and what we mean during any communication, either verbal or no verbal. In the work place, understanding one self, good communication and people skills are very important for the creation and sustainability of cohesion within the work place, which may be an organization or a company. In this assignment, I will discuss the importance of self-understanding and communication skills within the work place (Krizan, Merrier, Logan, & Williams, 2007).
Discussion
In the work place like an organization, there are different people with different personalities and behaviors. Every person within an organization has got his or her own unique attributes, which are pegged on one’s social- cultural orientation. These differences may make it difficult for people working together in an organization work in harmony. Failure to understand one self-first is the main cause of the differences which are found within the work force of an organization. If a person perceives him or herself as the best in all aspects, then that is tantamount to misunderstanding him or herself. We should understand our strengths and weaknesses. This could act as a good plat form for understanding and appreciating others as well (Modaff, DeWine, & Butler, 2011).
The importance of cohesion within an organization is that the employees are able to work as a team, which helps the organization move forward in terms of achievement of its mission and vision. It is therefore important for employees to keep their emotions, biases, and prejudices out of the work place. This is because when such things are allowed to be in the organization, then the organization changes its identity, from a single identity, to several entities within one organization. This can inhibit cohesion and advancement of the organization (Saint-Onge, & Armstrong, 2004).
Cohesion within an organization may be attained through good communication and people skills. Communication skills enable a person to express him or herself well, without any possibility of being misunderstood. People communicate using both verbal and non verbal methods. It is therefore important for employees to master both forms of communication, so as to be able to understand each other well, that is, after they understand themselves better first.
Having worked in a nonprofit organization, I came to realize that the staff was composed of people from different backgrounds. The ability to understand myself enabled me to have easy time with my fellow employees. The fact that I’m a very outgoing person, who enjoys being in company of people always and dominating in any group of people, did not hinder me from coexisting well with others in the work place. This is because I was able to understand that the work place is not a place to show off and dominate everybody, but a place where everybody should be respected and given his or her space. I managed to work harmoniously with my fellow employees through the use of good communication skills. Every time I wanted to talk to a person, I could address him or her, according to his or her own unique personality, character and communication protocol at the work place. I also ensured that everybody I interacted with clearly understood my position, interest and view about the discussion. I also ensured that I used the correct approach when borrowing something from a colleague, or when replying to any request or concern from a colleague at work. Since many employees had mastered good communication and people skills, the organization had a very cohesive work force, which was intertwined with a good organizational culture, in which everybody saw the other as a friend and the organization as belonging to every one of us by then. I was finding it very hard to leave the organization because of the bonding I had developed with my fellow employees. The top management was also very friendly, despite the fact that it was hierarchical in nature. The managers were not intimidating the junior employees, but rather addressed them in a friendly and humane manner, full of courtesy. The turnover for employees was therefore one of the lowest as compared to other organizations.
It is therefore evident from my experience that for any organization to move forward as one entity, there is need for the employees to have good communication and people skills. Everybody within an organization should therefore commit him or herself to understanding themselves better, and then using good communication and people skills when communicating with others at the work place. This makes the organization have a cohesive work force and good organizational culture, which makes the organization sustain the culture of “we” not “I” (Belasen, 2000).
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding oneself better can be seen as a pre requisite for understanding others better. Within an organization, different people have different personalities which are attributed to their different cultural orientations. Unless the work force possess good communication and people skills, it can be impossible for the organization to move forward together as a single entity. Good communication and people skills enables the organization to cultivate a good organizational culture, which binds the work force together, regardless of the different personalities, age, qualifications, personal status, social status, educational status and cultural back grounds.
References
Belasen, A. (2000). Leading the Learning Organization: Communication and Competencies for Managing Change. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
Krizan,A.C, Merrier, P, Logan, J.P & Williams, K.S.,(2007). Business Communication. London W8 5TT: Cengage Learning.
Modaff,D.P, DeWine, M.S & Butler, J.P.,(2011). 3rd Edn. Organizational Communication: Foundations, Challenges, and Misunderstandings. Harlow CM20 2JE: Allyn & Bacon, Incorporated.
Saint-Onge, H & Armstrong, C.,(2004).2nd Edn. The conductive organization: Building Beyond Sustainability. Oxford OX2 7ED: Butterworth-Heinemann.