Ethics in Business Communication
Ethics in Business Communication
Ethics in Business Communication
Communication
Communication is central to our
human experience
To live well-we must communicate
well
To communicate well-we must
understand both the visible and the
subtle issues related to
communication.
Understanding the ethics of
communication helps us to
communicate effectively
Ethical leaders set the standard of
truth for every employee they lead.
The moment people take
leadership positions, they have an
opportunity to place the highest
premium on truthfulness.
The company slogan must be
‘truth is job 1’
One of the most important
components of ethical leadership is
Characteristics of ethical
communication:
Getting your point across without
offending the audience-the same
message can be related in different
ways to workers as well as to
managers.
Managers also indirectly
communicate the rules, policies
and principles of the company
through communication
Maintaining and sustaining a
relationship with your audience.
The communicator and the target
audience must maintain the same
wavelength, then the target
audience will feel at home.Master
communicators develop a
relationship which is based on trust.
Ex: Gandhi and Churchill
developed a sustainable
relationship with their audience
Presenting information to the
audience without deliberately
withholding vital information
In the modern world, when
information is such an important
input to all strategic decisions, it
becomes essential for
organizations to be careful when
communicating with the outside
world. Information should be
complete
Ethics are related to values and
may differ for the audience
The top management must have a
well-defined value system
cherished by each employee.
When the organization is
functioning on some common,
shared value systems the
employees will then respect each
other and that would guarantee
ethical communication.
Making sure all information is
accurate and researched
The information that is passed has
to be complete, correct, true and
valid. It must be based upon
premises that are tested and
source identities that are verified.
Information which is not true is
worse than no information at all
Complexities in post-modern
information societies driven by
media and Communication
technology have led to an
increased interest in values and
principles that provide a platform
for decision-making. The study of
ethics within communications
represent such a platform
All forms of communication are
inextricably linked to ethical
reasoning through the common
principles of truth and honesty, trust
and relationships, reputation and
integrity, conduct and justice. A fast
developing field of research
recognizes the deep connection of
the act and the process of
communication with ethical
reasoning.
Through communication people
establish common agreements and
identify areas of dispute.
Communication ethics offers a
perspective and focus that may
address many intractable human
issues.
Ethical issues are bound to arise,
because communication does
influence others.
The way a person communicates
in the organization is largely
affected by the way he/she wants
to be perceived by other, and also
how he/she would like others to
behave.
The intent is as important as
motivation. If the intention is clear
and strong, it will be easily reflected
in the way the message is being
communicated. Professional
managers will always use different
communication styles to bring out
their real intention to their
subordinates.
Nike Inc.: ‘Just Do It’ is Just Not
Enough
Nike Inc., a global brand leader in
footwear, clothing, equipment, and
other accessories for sports has
been targeted by social activists
and journalists as a symbol of how
big business in its quest for profits
ignores human rights, particularly in
South Asia.
The allegations are poor wages,
pathetic working conditions, sexual
harassment and use of child labour.
To solve the malpractices Nike has
since devised and implemented a
code of conduct for its factories. It
also works with Global Alliance to
review conditions in these factories
and to resolve issues as they
develop, but criticism continues
unabated.
The clash of old inherent freedoms
and new emergent technologies will
continue to generate ethical issues
for discussion, reflection and
action.
THANK YOU
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