Mindless versus Mindful Communication

In order to understand what we have learned throughout our organizational communication course, I find it key to review several important points in the final chapter of the book. Chapter 11 talks about how our communication needs to be mindful throughout our lives. Each conversation that we have does have an impact on the listener and the way we present ourselves within our communication can make or break a situation. Overall, when communicating throughout life, especially in the workplace, the best thing a person can do is focus on the main characteristics that all employers are looking for.

While many people believe that communication is mostly a conscious activity, studies have demonstrated that this is not the case. Unlike having thoughts, thinking implies a willingness to listen and be open to beliefs beyond what one already knows. Thinking is crucial in true collaboration and innovation, and is the essence of authentic dialogue.

Three new metaphors – “discourse,” “voice,” and “performance” – are at the forefront of organizational thinking.
Discourse invites us to examine organizations as texts, and to bring to such examinations the well-developed logic of literary and conversation analyses. Thinking of what we say and do in a literary way open up new possibilities for finding creative solutions to age-old organizational challenges.
Voice invites us to consider who has the right to speak in organizations and what a “chorus of diverse voices” or “singing solo” may mean in relations to the logics of power and suppression at work.
Performance asks us to consider dramatic enactment as a new way of thinking about coordinated activities, storytelling, collaborative practices and identity work in organizations.

Overall, a mindful approach to organizational communication enables us to understand talk “as a mental and relational activity that is both purposeful and strategic.” Elaine Langer (1998) found that when we become more conscious of our communication, we become more mindful and that when we become more mindful we will likely become more ethical as well.

Integrity is a mindful state of acting purposefully to fulfill the promise and commitments you make to others. It is a term that we associate with women and men who consciously make choices about treating others fairly and equitably, and who understand that in today’s turbulent business and social environment those who lead have obligations to those who follow them as well as to the bottom line and stockholders.

Whether your position inside or outside the company involves communicating with customers, clients, patrons, donors, bosses, employees, and/or peers, there is no doubt that interpersonal integrity and relational mindfulness form the core communication competencies in the workplace.