Better Communication: Is it the solution?

Sarah Anastasi S00153112

From the beginning of humanitys history, communication has been the most vital part of society. While societys communication has improved greatly over the years despite many barriers, such as cultural and otherwise, there is still many problems humans face in this day and age. This paper aims to prove that while there are many positives that better communication can bring about, there are still many factors that prove that des pite our best wishes, improving communication cannot solve every human problem.

Lecturer in Charge: Luigi Belmonte Tutor: Marg Robbins Wednesday 12:00pm Room 2-50

Since the beginning of humanity, communication has been a vital part of everyday society. In order to function as a community, an organisation, a country, at any scale, interaction between people is required. Communication can be defined as (Eunson, 2012, p. 733) the study of the transfer of meaning, or the exchange of data, such as thoughts, opinions, conversation or written information. Throughout recorded history there are clear examples of times when communication may have failed, resulting in war, disagreements, and hardship. While many could argue that with better communication skills, all human problems could be solved; there also many reasons why communication is not the solution to all issues. First of all, when discussing solving problems, the definition of the word problem must first be understood. The basic definition of problem (Dictionary.com, 2013) is any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty. This leaves a lot of room to interpret what could be considered as a problem. It is true that better communication could lead to many things; a better understanding between different countries and cultures, allowing for more cooperation, and also provides a more civil approach to solving predicaments, especially at a more global scale. However, sometimes it isnt always communication getting the way of resolving problems, but rather the stronger opinions of prejudices of either or both of the parties involved that do not allow them to come to a civil agreement, which cannot be overcome by simply improving communication skills. When attempting to solve problems, trust is often an issue that can get in the way of communicating effectively. However, according to the article (Nicole Pruitt et al, 2003), that groups of people who trust one another are more likely be more efficient and communicate better with one another. Through the research conducted from this journal it was seen that when groups worked together and trusted each other, their effectiveness improved so greatly that they could work in separate rooms from one another and still be just as productive as groups that were working together in the same room. This shows that by gaining trust, communication can be improved, and any issues faced by groups can be resolved much more competently. In the article The complexity of communication in a course environment: a case study (2010), the authors discuss the complexity of communication in an academic sense, although what they speak of, can in fact be applied outside the classroom as well. While they dscuss the fact the communication has a complex structure, if it is used in a more effective manner, it can allow for a clearer perspective (Santandreu, 2010), and thus allowing for more logical reasoning based on a better understanding of what is expected of the people interacting. While better communication as a soution to all human problems can be quite a stretch, it can most definitely be used as a solution when dealing with crisis management in the workplace.

Goodman discusses effiective crisis management, and how effective communication can solve problems at a corporate level (1996). While some of the points brought up in the article can prove that better communication cannot solve everything, it still has some valid points that suggests that better interaction between employees and management at any level can be the solution to many problems in the workplace. By being clear when trying to explain vital information, and always updating information and being prepared in advance for and issues that could occur, communication can become more effective and ultimately solve many issues at a corporate level. By improving communication, many things happening in the workplace that could be considered a problem could be removed easily, improving productivity among employees. In the article by Pace (2013, pp. 201-219), regarding communication theories in a functioning workplace, it was concluded that educating students in communication, it can prepare them for future employment, as communication is important in running any business successfully. By having this extra knowledge in communication, employees will understand that methods of communication need to be altered depending on the people they are interacting with; in order to avoid creating issues or misunderstandings with fellow employees. This will not only allow people to be on their way to solving many problems in their career, but it can also help improve the businesss productivity and efficiency. It is often seen through the interaction of multinational organisations that inefficient communication can be a barrier when trying to negotiate successfully with other organisations from different countries that have cultural dissimilarities. While research is usually undertaken in order to cater to these differences, communication can still often be misconceived, and result in the two organisations not getting what they want out of the negotiations. In their article, Jonasson and Lauring (2012, pp. 405-419) discuss how differences in cultural values are one of the major hurdles in negotiating at a corporate level. For example, Jonasson and Lauring (2012) said that one of the parties of an international negotiation described the communication across cultural differences as so difficult that one should almost not bother. This statement shows clearly that while if efficient communication was used this language barrier could be overcome, however it is the people involved whose mentality is creating the problem here. While communication can solve many things, sometimes its not communication that is getting in the way, but rather the logic or strong opinion of the people that will not allow the issue to be solved in a civil manner. No matter how well an opinion is communicated, it is often other factors that get in the way of resolving any issues. Jonasson and Lauring (2012), discuss how for many corporations it is easier just to avoid communication with those who have major shifts in culture

rather than make the effort to communicate better. This proves that better communication does not just solve everything; it is often the human emotions or logic that creates the barrier, preventing the parties from solving any problems or making negotiations. Although many people are constantly hoping for all their problems to be solved, improving communication is not going to allow for this. Problems is a broad term, and from the definition provide earlier, it can be used to describe nearly every little worry in the world; from losing a button on a shirt, to being unable to find an earring or shoe; even something as simple as not being able to connect to the internet, which is where many people live their lives these days. These can all be described as problems, and they are also all not able to be solved by using better communication, proving that this is not, unfortunately, a solution to all human problems. In comparison to trying to use better communication as a solution to all minor human problems, there are also many major issues seen in the world that cannot be solved by simply using more efficient communication, such as war, or a major global crisis. The article by Goodman and others (1996), talks about managing change is the event of a crisis, and how effective crisis management can help solve the issues more efficicently. Their solution to smoothly solving any major issues is to always be prepared, and ensure that any interaction between people is concise and to the point. Overall, while improving communication can have some major benefits, ultimately it will not solve all human problems. It can improve negotiations between multinational corporations and bridge gaps between the different cultures. It can also help solve issues in a more civil manner, reducing the risk of war and major global crises. It can even assist in solving little day-to-day problems we may have at home or in the workplace. However, better communication is not the only factor when it comes to human problems, and without people being reasonable and logical with their opinions, we cannot hope to solve all issues with our society.

Bibliography
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