Ethical Communication, Netiquette & Etiquette

 Principles of Ethical Communication

Sometimes values and principles are confusing and used interchangeably. However, there are differences. Values are qualities or standards that guide a person’s thinking, while principles are rules or beliefs that determine actions. Principles are based on a person’s values and help set standards of conduct. Therefore, ethical communication principles are grounded in ethical values and help put those values into practice.

Following are the key principles of ethical communication:

1. Truthful:

Being honest means communicating what is known to be true, without any intention to deceive or present only part of the truth.

2. Objectivity:

Objectivity refers to presenting information factually and without distortion to suit personal beliefs. The goal is to ensure a fair exchange of factual data. Ethical communication should be based on accurate information and facts.

3. Active Listening:

Hearing and listening are different. Active listening involves paying full attention to information to avoid missing the complete message. It also includes asking appropriate questions to confirm understanding.

4. Non-Judgmental:

Ethical communication involves speaking without prejudice or premature judgment. Unsupported blame and overly critical comments often disrupt communication.

5. Avoiding Negative Tone:

Negative content does not always need to be delivered in a negative tone. Messages can be conveyed positively by avoiding rudeness and abruptness, and by using tact. It is not just what you say, but how you say it.

6. Respecting Chain of Command, Role, and Turn-Taking:

Allowing others to speak helps maintain a respectful and effective work environment. Interruptions can lead to misunderstandings and conflict, and prevent proper understanding of messages.

7. Respect for Privacy and Confidentiality:

Organizations define guidelines for appropriate communication inside and outside the workplace. This helps reduce gossip and protect private information about clients and employees.

8. Acceptance of Responsibility:

Being accountable is a key aspect of ethical communication. Communicators must take responsibility for the outcomes of their messages, whether good or bad.

Netiquette

Etiquette refers to the manners and behaviors required for a civilized community. Similarly, netiquette refers to the governing values and rules that are commonly followed on the internet, especially while writing mails and using social media.

* Always put the audience at the center and write accordingly, valuing their cultural and political differences.

* Use simple and decent language, right font and color.

* Always answer the mails in time, avoid using slangs, abbreviations and emoji. If you are using organization’s email system, never use it for personal use.

* The way you use email reflects your personality and professionalism, so be sensitive and upgrade yourself with the change in the system.

Intercultural Communication Skills

The world has already witnessed globalization, widespread of new communication technologies, the internet, and social media and the distance between the people and places has become short. However, people still value their cultures, and cultural differences bring difference in communication between and among people. Moreover, they can cause significant misunderstandings. For example, not reaching on time might cause serious professional offence to the people from Switzerland, where punctuality is taken seriously. Therefore, professionals working in business need to sharpen their intercultural communication skills as the business setting could be multinational and cross-national.

Intercultural communication is the study and practice of communication across cultural contexts. It applies equally to domestic cultural differences such as ethnicity and gender and to international differences such as those associated with nationality or world region (eastern, western). Intercultural communication is an approach to relations among members of these groups that focuses on the recognition and respect of cultural differences. It tries to enhance mutual understanding and promote multiculturalism rather than simple assimilation.

Similarly, it supports the development of awareness of others’ cultures and sensitivity to recognize the cultural differences.

Intercultural Sensitivities

Intercultural sensitivity simply means intercultural awareness. In other words, it is the knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of other cultures and others’ cultural differences.