NCA CREDO 1. We advocate truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of communication.

This point of the credo can be realized in an organization through open and honest communication within the organization. I think this means people need to steps to ensure that correct information is being shared before sending the message. This point caused me to think back to my class on personal selling when the professor told us that we should be honest in answering questions even if that meant we had to tell the customer we did not know the answer and would have to find it, and get back to them. I know of an instance at my last job where a salesman did not know the correct answer to give the customer and because he guessed at the answer and was wrong the company lost money having to perform a service for a fee that was considerably less than what the service fee would normally be. 2. We endorse freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent to achieve the informed and responsible decision making fundamental to a civil society. This point of the credo can only be realized in an organization if there are open lines of communication and people within the organization know that they will be free from repercussions for sharing their perspective. In some cases the best way to allow for this sort of feedback is to allow for it to be anonymous. An example is the surveys we are asked to take at the end of a semester. People are free to be honest because they know their opinion will not adversely affect their grade.

3. We strive to understand and respect other communicators before evaluating and responding to their messages. An organization committed to this point of the credo could provide training sessions on effective listening to members of the organization. Members of management would need to model this behavior in interactions with others in the organization. 4. We promote access to communication resources and opportunities as necessary to fulfill human potential and contribute to the well-being of families, communities, and society. Like the previous point, allowing for training sessions is one way in which to give members of an organization access to resources to improve communication skills. In addition to this helpful research articles, or news articles could be distributed to the members of the organization.

5. We promote communication climates of caring and mutual understanding that respect the unique needs and characteristics of individual communicators. Creating an environment that encourages participation and allows for people to feel comfortable communicating is vital to an organization in achieving this part of the credo. Teaching people that there are people express themselves in different ways and when it is feasible people should be allowed to communicate using the channel most comfortable to that person. 6. We condemn communication that degrades individuals and humanity through distortion, intimidation, coercion, and violence, and through the expression of intolerance and hatred. An organization needs to have clear guidelines that prohibit behaviors that are degrading, violent, intimidating, or coercive. In addition to this there needs to be a consequences for those types of behaviors that are implemented in a timely manner. 7. We are committed to the courageous expression of personal convictions in pursuit of fairness and justice. Organizations need to protect whistle-blowers and not punish those pointing out unfairness or injustice within the organization. Open channels of communication are vital to achieving this point in the credo. 8. We advocate sharing information, opinions, and feelings when facing significant choices while also respecting privacy and confidentiality. Like most of the other points in this credo, feedback needs to be encouraged and acted upon. This can only happen when there are open lines of communication, and ways for members of the organization to share opinions and ideas. Gossip should be discouraged, and those participating in it should be reprimanded. 9. We accept responsibility for the short- and long-term consequences for our own communication and expect the same of others. Organizations need to be honest and apologize when it is necessary. People should be discouraged from shifting blame. If the organization, as a whole, does not take responsibility and shifts blame the individual members will do the same.