Subtleties of the psychology of business communication

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

Business communication is the creation of a complex multi-stage process of creating relationships between interlocutors who are connected by common professional interests. A characteristic feature is strict behavior within established boundaries, limited by the etiquette of performance with a twist on national tolerance.

Etiquette subjugates two categories - a list of regulations and instructions. The latter represent the attitude of employees to a higher position, while norms are the psychological aspects of the interaction between employees of equal standing 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.

The culture of communicative interaction is in several main stages, which provide for further relations between business partners:

• A polite greeting in order to show the interlocutor a friendly location. People should trust each other in a joint venture;
• Acquaintance means establishing contact for a visual representation of each other;
• Targeting a specific topic;
• Discussion of a goal or resolution of an acute 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 importance in society. In the process of improvement, the 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, as it involves the provision of support and a joint search for a solution to the problem. An employee is perceived as a person with individual qualities, taking into account his emotions and character;
2. Manipulative. The manager or colleague uses the interlocutor as a tool to achieve specific goals. For example, personal strict control over the implementation of tasks is the manipulation of one partner over another;
3. Ritual style, unlike the humanistic one, implies the creation of the necessary 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 managing organizational processes. Owners, managers and employees should effectively transfer their thoughts and ideas to other people working in the company and beyond.

This type of communication in work is a verbal transmission of information. Verbal communication can take the form of meetings, face-to-face 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 the same message to several people, non-verbal communication is of practical importance. It can help with the transfer of technical instructions and demonstrate diagrams, graphs that need to be viewed for work.

Non-verbal communication during a personal meeting is expressed in various gestures, poses and facial expressions. Behavior carries additional information for the interlocutor and helps him draw the appropriate conclusions.

Technology has opened up new forms of business communication. E-mail, web conferences, social networks allow you to conduct business communication with several people at the same time. Official websites of companies reduce the level of communication with the consumer, while simultaneously demonstrating the strong qualities and characteristics of the company.

However, in establishing a business relationship, direct communication is important, which helps to establish eye contact and create a visual representation of the interlocutor. It’s important that both sides are in the same time and space, as participants need to make a good impression. Personal presence can have a strong impact on the entire process of business communication.

Direct contact is not always possible depending on the situation. Exactly, as a discussion of the issue with several persons creates a barrier to the exchange of information. Therefore, business communication takes a different form of interaction:

• Business correspondence. Orders, letters and orders are an indirect form of communication. A written form of communication is necessary to resolve conflicts or acute situations both within the organization and between legal entities;
• Press conference involves informing the public to discuss pressing issues through a meeting of officials with representatives of the media;
• Meeting. It is carried out directly within the organization with the aim of setting and resolving 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 encompass forms of business communication. Some cannot be resolved without conflict; others require a tolerant approach. The process is hindered by emotional outbursts of individuals defending their own point of view.

The presence of personal characteristics complements the definition of business communication. The interacting parties comply with the established etiquette, which develops depending on national and professional features. Psychology, linguistic behavior and participants' perceptions of the state apparatus also have a significant impact on the course of the conversation.

The strategy underlying the conversation should be chosen correctly. For this purpose, it is recommended to first take into account the features of the interlocutor:

• type of temperament and expression of emotions;
• language features;
• national customs;
• professional sphere;
• 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 an urgent issue today. Almost every person makes a commercial transaction every day. Moreover, a significant part of life belongs to participation and preparation for professional activity.

As part of comprehensive ethical compliance programs, many companies have developed internal policies that address employee cultural behavior. The policy is implemented both in simple calls for compliance with the general rules of culture, and in a more detailed code.

The latter contains specific behavioral requirements that express the company's expectations of employees. Also, domestic policy is a list of recommendations to address some common problems that arise during the conduct of business.

Two areas serve as the foundation of business ethics: pragmatism and prescriptions. The first principle is to maximize the benefits of more people. The amount of expenses should be offset by the totality of the benefits of business contacts and agreements.

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

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

The field of business communication affects almost all areas of everyday life. Such extensive interaction is no exception to the list of interpersonal communications, requiring the adjustment of processes.

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

• Business communication affects not only the discussion of specific issues, but also the personal relationship of the interlocutors. Thus, any contact is not without interpersonal clashes;
• Each person initiates the continuity of the conversation through verbal and non-verbal gestures. Thanks to such messages, the interlocutor draws conclusions and models the current situation;
• Purposefulness. Any communicative act has a specific goal: to establish business contact or solve a common problem. Along with it, there are also latent tasks. For example, 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 corresponding regulation of relationships. A conversation is a translation of personal data and coordination between business partners. At the same time, there is a manifestation of an emotional background between individuals. 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 conversation. Any wrong gesture and careless word can disrupt a multi-million dollar deal, while a friendly location will help to conclude a profitable contract. It is important to know the list of basic norms for a positive outcome of business communication.

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

Overloaded with information proposals should be divided into smaller, easily digestible. However, you should not use only short passages that do not produce the proper impression.

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

1. The beginning of the conversation should not burden business proposals. The interlocutor can accept them as aggressive attacks, which will immediately respond with extreme hostility to the conversation;
2. Correctly asked questions will help to guide the interlocutor to the necessary thought and to dilute the tense conversation;
3. One should not openly express one's own point of view. If this cannot be avoided, then it is necessary to disguise the thought as a subjective opinion expressed gently and unobtrusively;
4. Business communication requires etiquette. Going beyond the limits 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 clearly articulate thoughts and a correctly chosen strategy can increase the chances of achieving a goal. At the same time, participants must fulfill their own roles in the framework of mutually beneficial cooperation. Interlocutors must take into account each other's interests and comply with established cultural norms.

When conducting business communication should not leave the professional space. In everyday life, the interlocutor can be both a leader and a mid-level employee. Both participants observe the role of professional activity. In work, cooperation and active interaction are important.

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