Applying Relational Communication to Your Workplace
Now that we have a better understanding of relational communication in Indigenous peoples, we will turn our attention inward. This is an important step when thinking about relational communication, because ultimately we must use our own actions to inspire the change we wish to see in our workplaces.
Assessing Our Own Communication Approaches
Below is a short quiz that will reveal the ways in which your communication style is relational. Remember, being a relational communicator is not a good thing or a bad thing, so don’t hesitate with your choices.
Use the panel below to think deeper about your results.
An anonymous Indigenous employee we interviewed expressed that they are very thoughtful in their communication, as opposed to assertive or aggressive (which is the way they described some of their coworkers), and they are less likely to speak out, and more likely to sit back, take everything in, and give thought to a situation.
Communication Styles in the Workplace
Let’s now think abut different communication styles that may be implemented in the workplace. These styles help break down the different ways we communicate, but also how Indigenous employees may communicate in ways that differ from majority approaches in a workplace setting.
Take some time to explore the slides on this subject now.
Characteristics of Communication Styles
Now that you know the basics of communication styles, let’s think a little more deeply about their characteristics. You may notice that these are questions that were asked in your survey. How do your answers to the survey align with these communication styles. As you review these, take some time to think about how these results reflect on the ways you communicate in the workplace.
Now that you have had a chance to review all of this information, take some time to think about your survey results.
