Workplace Orientation: Norms, Rules, Roles and Values as Principles of Ethical Behaviour and Effective Communication

The nature of human communication provides an in-depth look at some key situational factors in workplace orientation, the core of company culture, ethical behaviour and effective communication. The aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of different ways of thinking and acting in interpersonal communication from four points of view: firstly, an analysis of norms as culturally ingrained principles of correct and incorrect behaviours; secondly, a description of the new rules which are formed to clarify cloudy areas of norms; thirdly, an approach to role behaviour within a culture and how it is affected by norms and rules; fourthly, a helpful way of examining core values in corporate culture. The results of the research show that sharing such workplace issues as values, goals and priorities can help to defuse tension and conflict in professional relationships. They are an integral part of any company culture where a purposeful effort to accommodate the needs of our employers and colleagues can strengthen our communications.