Traits Important to Human Relations in Business - Essay Example

Cover page Essay Human Relation Traits important to Human Relations in Business Submitted by: Business May, TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………… 3 II. Traits important in human relations in business………………………………………… 4 a. Personal communications, its effectiveness…………………………………… 4 b. Communications in the workplace………………………………………………… 5 c. Getting along with your manager, co-workers and customers………………… 6 III. How do these traits affect my personal life and work environment…………………… 8 IV. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………… 9 Works cited………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 Traits Important to Human Relations in Business Introduction Human relations is defined as ‘the skill or ability to work effectively through and with other people.” (Lamberton, chap. 01, p.4). I figure out this definition as a want to understand people around you, by knowing their needs and weaknesses, their talents and abilities. Human relations in the workplace has broader scope since it covers understanding how people work together in groups, how to satisfy their individual needs as well as the group objectives. Thus knowledge of human relations is needed so that a manager in an organization and in the workplace will succeed. In doing so, three factors have to be considered. These are: the effectiveness of Personal Communication, Communication in the work Place, and Getting along with your manager, coworker, and customers. How do these factors affect me in my personal environment and workplace? First let us have a definition of human relations. Dictionary meaning of the term defines it as “the study of group behavior for the purpose of improving interpersonal relationships, as among employees. It is further defined as “the skill or ability to work effectively through and with other people” (Lamberton, chap. 01, p.4). A separate description that I find more suitable states that human relations “includes all interactions with people whether it is conflict, cooperative effort or group relationships”. In a broader sense it is the study of why, beliefs, and attitudes that cause a strain in work-related relationship. So in the end, it emphasizes not only analysis of behavior, but provides strategies for prevention, resolution of the problems and self development (College. HMCO , 2008, ch. 01, p. 3, pdf) I. Traits important in human relations in business Several authors and studies point to factors that affect human relations in business. Lamberton, (chap.01, p.16 ) in his study, argued that human relations has two goals: one is for personal development and growth; and the other is for the accomplishment of the organization’s goals and objectives. In order to achieve these goals, the three areas of major importance in human relations that has to be understood are Personal Communication Effectiveness, Communication in the work Place, and Getting along with your manager, coworker, and customers. a. Effectiveness of personal communication Communication is described as an important element of human relations because it is the process of transferring of information from one person to another (Skills you need, 2014) . Although the definition may seem to be simple, I argue that communication process is the core of the functions of management since it transfers ideas, thoughts, and feelings from one to another. So therefore, communications is more than just exchanging information, but rather understanding the emotions behind the communications. An effective communication builds better relationship at work and at home as it is able to deepen connection with others, thereby making problem- solving and decision- making better and easier. In today’s competitive employment landscape and age of information , the increase knowledge of communication and interpersonal skills are important in almost all of work settings. Companies hire people whom they think possess communication and interpersonal skills. Technical ability is no longer the sole element to achieve career success. Companies want to know how the people they will hire is going to treat coworkers and customers, how they behave, speak and listen at meetings and how they extend minor courtesies to improve relationships.(College, HMCO, 2008, chap. 01, P. 4). As communications play an important role in the workplace, some companies have to send their employees for training in communication because they must be able to communicate well in reports. Companies must understand the benefits of a workforce that is able to communicate within the firm, vendors, customers and its international business partner. Effective communication helps promote understanding of diversity. As diversity has become a trend in the workplace, we see Asians, Americans, Africans and other races in same workplaces. In many occasions, understanding of one’s language becomes a barrier. Difficulty of understanding one’s language becomes a source of misunderstanding and low productivity. In view of this, there is a need for management’s tolerance and understanding the diversities brought by culture and demographic differences. b. Communications in the workplace. Communications in the workplace is just not about conversations. It needs choosing the right words, listening with minds in order to get message across. But not all messages are clear, sometimes there is a miscommunication wherein arguments arise in the workplace, leading to a far more serious situation. In situations like these, the HR skill of the manager is tested in which he must handle situations with diplomacy. For instance, the manager could tell the people that his door is always open for them. He should provide a friendly environment where they are comfortable to voice out their sentiments. The art of conversation in the workplace is lost and replaced by e-mails. Watson, Stephanie (2014) says companies today are dependent on emails to clients and to their colleagues and even use it for internal communications. The art of conversation has been neglected because in most offices, employees just sit and writes to one another even they are only cubicles apart. Human relations per se is lost because the facial expression, smiles, and gestures are not seen. This results to conflict much more when the sender is not good writing. Watson suggests that as gesture of good human relations, managers must take a time-out and go to employees and talk to them. As an employee, I will feel happy and would get a feeling of respect to the manager if he does this. Communications in workplace is needed most in the emergence of self-employed individuals in the field of consulting, banking, medical services. heavy manufacturing, and computers. This is another challenge to HR as it needs interpersonal skills and a one-to-one relations with client. I observed that organizations today focus more on service to customers and clients. We are surrounded by service companies that consider relationships are important than products. For example, restaurants, banks, airlines, hospitals and retail stores must struggle to retain the patronage of customers and clients. There are many incidences wherein customers get the service of the organization, whereupon, they form their impressions of its quality and service. A rude service crew in a restaurant or hotel will ruin the good image of the company he serves. c. Getting along with your manager, coworker, and customers How does one get along with the manager, coworkers, and customers? Getting along with these people requires an analysis of oneself first. To get along with the manager, one must develop a high self-esteem. Self-esteem is the regard or feeling in which an individual holds for self. It is the feeling or confidence you have on yourself, it is how we value ourselves, and how valuable we think we are to others. Self-esteem affects our relationships, trust in others, our work, and almost all of our lives. A low esteem I believe would cause job problems because of lack of confidence. Having a high self-esteem will certainly improve job drive, outlook, and quality of life. It gives us the flexibility and strength to take charge of our lives and not fearing rejections in case of mistakes. Understanding oneself and others will make me happier and be more productive in my work area and in my life because my mind will be free of nagging issues. If I hold a high esteem of myself, I would feel confident to talk to the manager and present to him problems that I observe in the office, and would not be afraid of being pushed aside. To get along with co-workers, we need mutual respect. Web description of mutual respect is the proper regard for the dignity of person or certain position. It is a relationship that exists between two or more people who have respect for each other. Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something brought out by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Lamberton (chap. 01, p. 16) argues that mutual respect is possible only if the self-esteem is stable; meaning, when self-esteem of a person is too weak, he does not have enough energy to cultivate mutual respect. To do this, he must be able to trust, because without trust, mutual respect will not work. Trust, says Lamberton, is the most important element in human relations. Human relations is important in the work environment because it increases productivity. Hawthorne Theory presupposed that productivity is enhanced when relations between managers and employees is supportive (Boundless.com). I concur with this theory, since I believe employees are more likely to produce good results when they are treated with respect and made them feel that their work is recognized. So, in this regard, I think people in the organization, regardless of levels, need trust and mutual respect in order to perform better. To get along with co workers, I believe there is a necessity to recognize the importance of team work. Teamwork stimulates working relationship that improves quality, job satisfaction, and worker’s participation in decision making. To get along with customer. Companies know the importance of customers to business. They say it is the “lifeblood of business”. So in this context, understanding customers, or getting along with them is essential for a healthy business. It is a way to keep loyal customers, and develop new ones. A courteous greeting is appreciated by the customers, and is better than answering machines. A welcome in the door of the store establishes goodwill. When dealing with clients, especially when there are conflicts to be resolved, HR practice of listening will break down the barrier of frustration, then you can begin to fix solutions. In the service sector, one on one relationship is suggested as it brings closer relationship and understanding. Needs of customers are immediately addressed, and in so doing, loyalty of customer is achieved. Human Relations encourage company loyalty. I suppose that when stakeholders are given respect and treated warmly, they will feel good about continuing their business relationship, and frequent termination is avoided. One reason of business termination with a supplier is misunderstanding and vendor was not able to reply to the company’s needs II. How do these traits affect me in my personal life and in my workplace? Traits aforementioned affects human relations in my personal life and work environment because as I rise to become a manager, knowledge of human relations will keep me in my job. My idea is that a manager with good human relations skill will be able to keep its employees longer, make them more productive and be able to provide an enjoyable environment while a faulty human relation is one of reasons why a manager fails on his job. As such, new managers like me, must put extra effort in studying people. In the future, when I choose to become an entrepreneur, and be the owner and operator of my own business, human relations skills become an essential factor for success. Why, because I need a lot of skills to be able to retain both customers and workers. In the workplace, challenges that I will face is working with clients, customers, and other workers who are different in ages, work background, values, culture, gender and communications style. III. Conclusion All of the above challenges become more difficult for me because I must manage relationship within myself. With this, I mean that I should always carry positive attitudes and ideas around me, and in short, hold myself in high esteem at all times so that people will learn to trust me. In doing business whether for my own or for the company, the one-to-one relationship with clients has to be done with braveness and sincerity. Working with team is another challenging job because I have to manage relationships with them so I can seek their cooperation. Lack of cooperation I think would result to slow productivity. I consider these relationships in human relations as interdependent and must be considered by a manager to be successful. Work cited “Hawthorne Theory” (n.d.) Boundless.com Retrieved 17, May, 2014 from.https://www.boundless.com/management/organizational-theory/behavioral-perspective/human-side-hawthorne/ “Human Relations, Principles and Practices” (2008). College, HMCO. Management Space p. 1-51, pdf. Retrieved 16 May, 2014 Lamberton, Lowell (n.d.) Chap. 01, Human Relations Relations and You, pdf. Human Relations: Strategies for Success. Retrieved 17 May, 2014 from http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073522317/340465/Lamberton_ch01.p Skills you need (2014) What is communication? Retrieved 17 May, 2014 http://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/what-is-communication.html. Read More