Interaction and business communication

A positive attitude towards work depends on mutual relationships within a workgroup which can be related to the inner and outer system. The outer system is defined by organization and technologies while the inner system refers to mutual relationships created as a result of business cooperation and living together. Interaction is reflected in mutual activities within the group or outside of it, or an employee’s activity related to the integral work environment or any other matter.

One develops many interactions towards people who constitute a workgroup. A person’s behavior, as well as his/her activities in a work environment, depending on the cognitive, emotional, and conative processes. In a work environment, a person performs certain activities which may be observed. Through interaction, communication, and perception, certain feelings develop within one’s personality which may be demonstrated publicly or be hidden in verbal and symbolic expressions which can also be interpreted differently from one individual to another. The reason for that is that everyone has an established attitude about a certain type of behavior and verbal and symbolic meanings. For example, a person can laugh even though his/her true feelings are different, and a person can show excitement for someone or something even though that is not how they really feel. Interpretations for such behavior in a work environment varies. Some employees can easily tell the difference when someone is hiding their true feelings or opinions, others can make assumptions, someone else will be certain that they are able to tell what someone’s true feelings or opinions are even though they are not capable of it etc. Employees who are unable to recognize someone’s true feelings and opinions often misjudge people and their behaviors which lead them to disappointment.

Employees constantly judge and compare themselves to others in a work environment. Based on those comparisons, they form an opinion of their own worth and abilities. But there is the question of how objectively and to what extent can an individual estimate himself. It depends on the nature, personality, and mental health of that individual which have to be in accordance with reality and perceiving real-life values. For example, one can boast about something that the society does not approve.

Incorrect self-estimation can result from underestimating people in the following situations:

• People with lower qualifications;
• People who do not tolerate on a higher social, educational, and financial level;
• People who hold a high opinion of themselves which is not based on facts;
• People who feel inferior;
• People who do a great job even though they conceal their true opinion of themselves.

One does not estimate themselves based on their perceptions only but based on their work as well.  Self-estimation affects every person’s behavior as well as the work attitude.

Besides that, people estimate the activities they perform based on personal and external norms. For example, if an employee hasn’t completed an assignment and they find it to be justified, it will affect they’re their future activities. If someone finds stealing to be normal, they may direct their future behavior and activities towards stealing more and more. In that way, a work attitude is formed which may eventually have catastrophic consequences for the society as well as for that person.

Human interaction, as well as a work attitude, is affected by culture. Those from a more primitive environment treat work differently from those from a more urban environment. In fact, the behavior is one of the most important elements of culture which also affects the work environment. Work attitude is defined by wider cultural components and work attitude is at their center. Interaction of a relationship will be defined by cultural influences which affected the development of a personality.

Within an enterprise or an organization, communication takes place every day between people of different professions and different managing competencies. Fear, the psychology of wage labor, hierarchical relationships and relationships marked by seniority shouldn’t be an obstacle in business communication because it only appears to be communication and it is far from what communication really represents. For example, communication within a hierarchical relationship is merely a relationship from the upper level to the lower one which is a good enough reason for discord and a negative work attitude. Communication also doesn’t occur among people in a business environment who argue endlessly without even listening to others. Communication must flow untroubledly. Any type of an arrogant attitude can endanger work attitude. For instance, a vain director may treat employees arrogantly with the attitude that he is Mr. Director and that everyone must obey him, that he is the only one authorized for managing the business, that only he has a say in all business matters, even including ordering an employee to answer phone calls. He does all that in order to overpower others. Sch negative interaction and communication not only affects work and business in general, but such „great“ director will also face disrespect and mocking by the workgroup. Such an attitude may cost much which could otherwise benefit the nature of the business. For example, a young employee’s project or initiative might be better than a director’s opinion or another authoritative group.

Communication should be based on a democratic approach because it represents an important factor for a worthwhile and organized action. Taking in and passing on information in one, two or more directions is not simple. That is why the organizational and technical side of data gathering, informing, and communicating is very important. Realistic and adequate conditions must be provided within which communication will flow freely, starting from organizational and technical conditions to democratic attitudes and principles. Only the communication which satisfied the needs of those who communicate can resolve misunderstandings and controversial data interpretation. In that way, a pleasant communication climate may be established among employees in a work environment which will lead to an adequate work attitude.