Good Essay About Professional Communication Essay

One of the most important facets of human interaction is communication. Communication is an essential element to building personal and professional relationships. Furthermore, it can make or break a person in the professional field. Exchanging feedback with someone is bigger than being able to say “hi” and “bye”. Communication is not one-dimensional. It should be liquid and pliable like the endless options of professions in the world. There is no one way to master the art of communication. That fact alone is common knowledge. There are plenty of reasons why communication as a professional is important, and there are different ways to make sure you accomplish effective communication.
In a hospital setting, first and foremost, a person must be understanding. You must be open-minded about the people around you. So many individuals are of a myriad of different backgrounds. A comprehensive understanding of varying cultures can make communication a lot easier. Some people may be more resistant to different medical treatments due to cultural beliefs or even religious beliefs. The most important thing is to not be condescending to anyone, because that can serve as a large roadblock.
When working in any sort of profession, interpersonal communication must be finessed. There are important things that need to be discussed between workers. And positive rapport must be established between coworkers. That same rapport is also important to have with people in leadership roles too. When they are able to keep those lines of communication open, then people are able to work more effectively. In certain work environments, a lack of communication can cause unnecessary problems. For instance, in a doctor’s office, it functions optimally when the nurses communicate with each other, as well as the doctors. They need to know the status of the patient and vital information about the patients that are being seen. A lack of communication could cause a patient to become irritated if they continue to be asked the same questions over and over again. An irritated patient can cause a snowball effect through the entire office. A patient can go off on a nurse. Then the nurse will be upset about the confrontation and maybe snap at a doctor. A doctor will then hold that emotional outburst over the nurse’s head, and then bitterness will be in the air. All of that can be avoided with good communication. Each and every worker should be sure to listen intently to the patient and document their information correctly, so that nothing is lost in translation. Also, the employees should be sure to put patient information where it goes to avoid losing it.
It is important to understand the disposition of people in a hospital environment. Sickness can be rather stressful, and stress can cause people to be emotionally charged. That can go for patients, family, and personnel involved. One should always be willing to try to say the right thing to everyone. A slip of the tongue can upset someone or make a situation worse. Always choose words carefully, also, make sure not to say anything that could culturally offend someone. With so much going on in the environment, it can be difficult to keep these things in mind, but effort can really go a long way. Ask questions as well. If you think you are in danger of crossing a line or offending someone, do not be afraid to ask for clarification. If there is some sort of language barrier as well, get someone on your staff that can help with translation. As the professional, the burden of getting the job done is always on you.
People should never try to communicate when they are angry! That is a huge mistake that happens in the workplace. Though people are able to be professional under normal circumstances, anger has a way of making someone act completely out of character. A simple conversation can escalate to yelling and harsh words quickly, and that rarely results in any resolution. There is nothing wrong with admitting that you are too angry to talk about something at the moment. A person can respect the fact that you are willing to be mature, walk away, avoid conflict, and talk when everything calms down. Conflict in a hospital environment can cause people to slip up. People are not on top of their game when they are upset. Anger can be the cause of a chart being misread, and a patient receiving treatment that they really do not need. There is a time and place for everything. It is obvious when someone is on a mission to cause unnecessary drama, and it is obvious when a person actually want to come up with a solution to a problem. As we all know, for most of us, our job is our livelihood. No one wants to lose their job over the inability to control their emotions. We do not want to come off as combative individuals. That can ruin your image and it will also make people not want to cross paths with you. Once you are labeled as a nuisance, which can bring a lot of negative attention that will yield zero benefits. That can make the patients not want you to help them, and it can make coworkers avoid you as well.
Written communication is a must in such a work place. So much paperwork is processed in a given day, and it is essential to understand what is being conveyed. If someone has bad handwriting, then find the writer and ask them for clarification. Everything has to be sufficiently documented. When things are written for patients, it is pivotal for them to be able to decipher what is being said. Doctors are notorious for having bad handwriting, but usually the people that work around them the most know how to read it. Check over whatever you write. And then check it again. Mistakes in written documentation can cause a bad ripple effect. Since paperwork is tangible, that paper trail will lead right to you. No one wants to have to check over your writing either.
Constructive criticism is another necessary sliver of communication. Unfortunately, some people do not take criticism very well. It must be understood that everything being critiqued is for a positive person. As adults, we have to understand that we will make mistakes. There is always room for improvement, and there is nothing wrong with that. An infallible worker is myth. For example, don’t get offended if you’re doing some kind of procedure to a patient and they tell you that they’re uncomfortable. It doesn’t reflect on your ability to work, every patient is just different. You can always be the best worker that you can be, but on the other hand, never stop trying to be better.
People are not mind-readers. Always keep those lines of communication open. Whether you understand the views of a person or not, does not matter. Never close the door on someone due to differences. The only way to know the internal condition of someone is if they tell you. As humans, we try to take things at face value and decipher what is right in front of us. That is not an option in a medical setting. A smiling person will always automatically be perceived as being happy, and if they’re not, the only way to relay that information is through communication. Also, if you have something to say to a patient, just say it. At times, we have to be the bearer of bad news, but that information is essential. Be a good communicator with others. It is a part of being a profession, especially when you work on the healing and health of the public. One of the major goals in the workplace is to keep everyone happy. When communication is effective, then the patients are happy. A satisfied patient is always a good thing. Keep that major fact in mind. A content patient can lead to a happiness for all of those involved with that person.
Remember, communication is the key to success. It is next to impossible to have horrible people skills and advance professionally. You must remain open, amiable, and eloquent. Make sure that you always communicate respect to those around you. Be certain that you mean what you say, and at the same time, do not offend people. When writing anything down, be sure that the message is clear and concise. Do not attempt to reach any sort of resolution through writing. That should always be done in person. Keep those emotions in check, and never let them get the best of you. Be open to change and criticism, it can be very helpful in the long-run. If you are unhappy about anything, do not hold it in. Let those emotions be known, and do your best to stay mature when expressing them. With all of those things in mind, you should be able to communicate effectively in the workplace.