Management Communications
Final Exam
Tuesday December 7, 2010

1. The basic principles of communication are:

1. Dynamic

2. Continuous

3. Circular - reciprocal

4. Unrepeatable - the effect first time will not be the same the 2nd time

5. Irreversible-what you said can’t be taken back

6. Complex-human beings interpret things differently based on culture, education, background

I. The basics principles of communications affect my moral and ethical point of view in that you have to be always mindful of the way in which you communicate, that is, the way in which you receive and relay information. Because communications is dynamic and continuous, when I communicate I have to be aware of the cause and effect of what I am communicating. I have to ensure that I communicate effectively my beliefs and that I interpret correctly when I am on the receiving end. Communications is unrepeatable and irreversible which therefore means that I try not to purposefully misinterpret or mislead when I communicate. Also acting on improper or unethical behavior in the communication process is a part of upholding your end of the bargain as far as remaining ethical and promoting the same kind of behavior.

II. Ethical economic view Point – From an economic view point, the complex principle of communications tells me that we value things differently across different cultures and so it is important not to communicate with a condescending or more reverential manner if the perception is that the audience is of a certain economic disposition. I would approach communication in the same way when addressing the wealthiest as in the same way when you communicate with students or a group of unemployed on the brink of bankruptcy. There is also a lot of temptation to be unethical in economic times as is evidenced by the recent string of companies involved in the most recent insider trading scandal that broke two weeks ago. This is a classic display of the legal as well as unethical aspects of communication that can be exposed from an economic point of view.

III. Ethical legal view point – From a legal view point one has to be extremely important not to incriminate other or oneself when communicate. There is ethical responsibility on things that are immoral but legal as well as those things that are both unethical and illegal. The bigger problem is sometimes is doing something unethical and getting away with it because it is not illegal. Again to revisit the communication process that was involved with the insider trading scandal. As someone that intends to be working on Wall Street in the very near future it is imperative that I have and maintain a very high level of moral and ethical standard in the event that I come across this kind of communication encompasses all six principles.

2. Competition is one of the most common and applicable activities in life that can be applicable to any and every facet of existence. Competing comes in many different forms; from friends, family, coworkers and even your adversaries. Managing these conflicts can be a tedious task in whether sports, the classroom or the workplace. Maslow’s theory of persuasion states that there are five basic needs of every human that derives this kind of behavior. In dealing with or managing these kinds of conflicts when they arise, it is important to understand these needs and deal with them accordingly so as to be effective in dealing with competition. Applying Maslow’s theory, the first step would be to identify one’s own values and potential; in so doing you effectively nullify the competing employee’s attempts because you are in effect creating a situation where they would know that their talents and ability is recognized and appreciated and that the act of competing in a manner that undermines other is not necessarily a plus in the current working environment.
Understanding the role that an individual’s esteem or ego plays is also crucial in dealing with competition according to maslow’s theory. This employee might be competing in order to gain respect or recognition. As with the self actualization needs, you could effectively let this employee know that work is recognized and that efforts are rewarded, in that way the need for competing would be healthy instead of ill-intentioned. Individuals also compete to satisfy social needs. If the workplace promotes social events such as happy hours and community service as well as group projects outside the workplace to promote that team theme then the need for competing can also be reduced by thus creating that sense of belonging.
If the employee is competing based on the need for safety, this can be addressed by ensuring that safety hazards are minimized in the workplace. Also by promoting workplace safety you emphasize efficiency and effectiveness of skilled employees. UPS and Home Depot for example promote safety by having rewards for “safe days on the job.”
Individuals also compete in order to satisfy basic physiological needs – most employees first and foremost work because they have to, they have families to feed and basic needs to provide for before anything else. Survival needs include having the necessities of food clothe and shelter. This can be dealt with by encouraging bonuses to help employees meet these basic needs relatively comfortably.
To conclude what Maslow’s theory in dealing with such employees tells me is that, we have to decide a most effective way of communicating our actions in order nullify this kind of competition. This means that I would have to be perceptive in identifying what needs are and the levels of such needs that this employee is trying to satisfy. I would also have to find an effective way to communicate the steps outlined and ensure that the actions mentioned would satisfy those needs.