Subtleties of the psychology of business communication

Business communication is fundamentally different from talking on everyday topics. The subtleties of the psychology of the conversation of this type require the formation of etiquette in order to conclude mutually beneficial cooperation.

Business communication is the creation of a complex multi-step process of creating relationships between interlocutors who are linked by common professional interests. A characteristic feature is strict behavior within established limits, limited by etiquette of official activity with a highlight of national tolerance.

Etiquette subordinates to itself two categories - a list of regulations and manuals. The latter represent the relationship of employees to a higher position, while norms are psychological aspects of interaction between employees of equal position in the career ladder system.

However, both groups are subject to the general requirements of polite cooperation. Personal interests, hostility and negative mood should not affect the course of work.

Culture of communicative interaction is in several main stages, which envisage further relations between business partners:

• Polite greeting to show the other person a friendly location. People should trust each other in a joint venture;
• Familiarity implies making contact for a visual representation of each other;
• Targeting a specific topic;
• Discussion of a goal or resolution of a pressing issue;
• The outcome of the conversation.

Knowledge of the rules of business communication allows a person to quickly climb the career ladder, increasing the status and significance in society. In the process of cultivation an individual forms a certain style of behavior, which in most cases depends on the type of activity:

1. Humanistic. This approach is gaining more and more popularity, since it involves the provision of support and a joint search for a solution to the problem. The employee is perceived as a person with individual qualities, taking into account his emotions and character;
2. Manipulative. A manager or colleague uses the interviewee as a tool to achieve specific goals. For example, personal strict control over the execution of tasks is the manipulation of one partner over another;
3. Ritual style, unlike the humanist, involves the creation of the desired status in society. Business and personal qualities are erased against the background of a certain “mask”, the characteristics of which were set in advance. This is a daily role for each employee, formed individually.

Knowledge of communication policy allows you to establish business contacts, because business communication is an integral part of the management of organizational processes.Owners, managers and employees must effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas to other people working in and outside the company.

This type of communication in work is verbal transfer of information. Verbal communication can take the form of meetings, personal conversations, telephone conversations and video conferencing. It is the best type of business communication, as it allows interlocutors to visually evaluate each other.

Non-verbal communication is represented by business notes, official letters, documents and various announcements. In order to send a message of the same type to several persons, non-verbal communication is of practical importance. It can help with the transfer of technical instructions and demonstrate charts, graphs that need to be viewed for work.

Also non-verbal communication during a personal meeting is expressed in various gestures, postures and facial expressions. The behavior carries additional information for the interlocutor and helps him to draw appropriate conclusions.

Technology has opened up new forms of business communication. Email, web conferencing, social networks allow you to conduct business communication with several persons at the same time. Official websites of companies reduce the level of communication with the consumer, while demonstrating the strengths and characteristics of the company.

However, in establishing a business relationship, direct communication is important, which helps to establish eye contact and form a visual representation of the interlocutor. It is important that both parties are in the same time and space as it is necessary for participants to make a pleasant impression. Personal presence can have a strong influence on the whole process of business communication.

Direct contact is not always possible depending on the situation. Exactly, like discussing a question with several persons, creates a barrier to the exchange of information. Consequently, business communication takes a different form of interaction:

• Business correspondence. Orders, letters and regulations are an indirect form of communication. The written form of communication is necessary to resolve conflict or acute situations both within the organization and between legal entities;
• Press conference involves informing the public to discuss current issues through a meeting of officials with media representatives;
• Meeting It is carried out directly inside the organization in order to set and solve the problem between employees. The manager needs to discuss work activities with several employees at the same time.

In the course of professional activity, various situations arise that cover the forms of business communication. Some cannot be resolved without conflict, others require a tolerant approach.The process is complicated by emotional outbursts of individuals defending their own point of view.

The presence of personal characteristics complements the definition of business communication. Interacting parties comply with established etiquette, which is formed depending on national and professional features. Psychology, language behavior and participants' views on the state apparatus also have a significant influence on the course of the conversation.

The underlying strategy of the conversation must be chosen correctly. To this end, it is recommended to first take into account the peculiarities of the interlocutor:

• type of temperament and expression of emotions;
• language features;
• national customs;
• professional field;
• position in the company;
• tolerance and attitude towards people of a different nationality.

Ethics in the philosophy of business communication plays an important role, being a pressing issue today. Virtually every person commits a business deal. Moreover, a significant part of life belongs to the participation and preparation for professional activities.

As part of a comprehensive ethics program, many companies have developed an internal policy that addresses the cultural behavior of employees. The policy is implemented both in simple calls for the observance of the general rules of culture, and in a more detailed code.

The latter contains specific behavior requirements expressing the company's expectations from employees. Also, internal policy is a list of recommendations for solving some common problems that arise in the course of running a business.

The foundation of business ethics are two directions: pragmatism and prescriptions. The first principle involves extracting the maximum benefit from a larger number of individuals. The amount of expenses should be compensated by a combination of the benefits of business contacts and agreements.

The moral prescription is that decisions made by the individual should not depend on the consequences and rules dictated by society. For example, the organization should not be presenting a lie to the consumer regarding the services provided.

Knowledge of business etiquette is relevant in view of the fact that it helps the conversation participant to take a more advantageous position. However, the interlocutors should take into account the interests of each other and build on mutual benefits when discussing the goal. At the same time, it is necessary to defend the position with clearly stated speech, correctly formulating your thoughts. Achieving a positive result depends on mutual understanding and cooperation of both parties.

The scope of business communication affects almost all areas of everyday life. Such extensive interaction is not an exception to the list of interpersonal communications, requiring adjustment processes.

The course of business negotiation processes is based on the basic principles:

• Business communication involves not only the discussion of specific issues, but also the personal relationship of the interlocutors. Thus, any contact is not complete without interpersonal collision;
• Continuity of conversation, each person initiates through verbal and non-verbal gestures. Thanks to such messages, the interviewee draws conclusions and models the situation;
• Focus. Any communicative act has a specific goal: to establish a business contact or solve a common problem. Along with it, there are also latent tasks. For example, when describing a problem in order to convey the essence of the meeting, the speaker is able to unknowingly demonstrate to the audience erudition and eloquence;
• Multidimensionality is based not only on the circulation of information between interlocutors, but also on the appropriate regulation of relationships.The conversation is a broadcast of personal data and coordination between business partners. At the same time, there is a manifestation of an emotional background between personalities. For example, one of the interlocutors is able to express a dominant position relative to his partner.

Rules of conduct dictate the tone of the flow of conversation. Any wrong gesture and careless word can disrupt a multi-million dollar deal, while a benevolent disposition will help to conclude a lucrative contract. It is important to know the list of basic norms for a positive outcome of business communication.

It is necessary to keep the optimal pace of conversation and use psychological techniques. Slow conversation distracts the interlocutor from the main exchange of information. Due to fast speech, on the contrary, it is almost impossible for the listener to convey the necessary information. By alternating long and short messages, you can achieve a positive outcome.

Information overloaded with sentences should be broken down into smaller, easily digestible. However, do not use only short passages that do not make the proper impression.

When creating an image, it is recommended to observe several standards that increase the success rate:

1. Starting a conversation should not overburden business proposals. The interviewee may take them as aggressive attacks, which will immediately respond to the extreme hostility to the conversation;
2. Correctly asked questions will help to bring the interlocutor to the necessary thought and dilute the intense conversation;
3. You should not openly express your own point of view. If this is not avoided, then it is necessary to disguise the thought as a subjective opinion expressed softly and unobtrusively;
4. Business communication requires compliance with etiquette. Going beyond the boundaries of cultural norms negatively affects the course of communication;
5. It is not recommended to express ready-made solutions. Encouragement of independent conclusions contributes to the location of the interlocutor and a favorable outcome of interpersonal contact.

The ability to articulate thoughts and the right strategy can increase the chances of achieving the goal. At the same time, participants must perform their own roles in the framework of mutually beneficial cooperation. Interlocutors must take into account the interests of each other and comply with established cultural norms.

When conducting business communication should not go out of professional space. In everyday life, the interviewee can be both a supervisor and a mid-level employee. Both participants comply with professional roles. In the work is important cooperation and active interaction.

For more information on the most important business communication skills, see the following video.