How Respectful Communication Boosts Morale and Productivity in the WorkplaceBy Ann Gatty People have different opinions, different talents, and different abilities; respectful communication involves the ability to effectively assert your own views and fully listen to the views of others.The focus in the workplace should be on collaboration, using everyones strengths to achieve common goals. Teams are often created to more effciently and effectively complete projects or handle specifc work functions.or teams to be productive and successful, good communication skills are essential. !stablishing communication strategies for presenting ideas, opinions, and constructive criticism are all part of the communication skill set.Teamwork is easy when members get along, but when a con"ict arises or miscommunication occurs, things can turn ugly. !mbracing respectful communication during tough interpersonal interactions demonstrates your ability to self#manage and contributes to more healthy and productive relationships.There are different types of conversations that $ would like to share. These perspectives can be insightful as you engage in future communication.Dialogue vs. Discussion%avid &ohm wrote a book entitled On Dialogue , where he contrasts the difference between engaging in a dialogue and engaging in a discussion. 'she recounts, the word, dialogue comes from the (reek word dialogos. Logos represents the meaning of the word. Dia means through.' dialogue represents a stream of meaning "owing among and through a group of people. rom this sharing of information emerges some new and creative understanding; this shared meaning becomes the )glue* that holds the group together.$n &ohms interpretation, discussions are different from dialogues. %iscussion has the same root as percussion and concussion. $t suggests breaking things up. $t emphasi+es the idea of analysis, where everyone presents a different point of view and the ideas are pulled apart and dissected for meaning.%iscussion is almost like a ping#pong game, where people are batting the ideas back and forth, and the object of the game is to have your idea be thewinning concept.,et, when a group is engaged in a dialogue form of communication, nobodyis trying to win. !verybody wins if anybody wins. The comparison has value when a team is trying to maintain respectful communication and concerned with recogni+ing the value of all members.The E.G.O. Approach'nother respectful communication strategy for healthy teamwork is known as the !.(.-. 'pproach. $f a team member is e.periencing a challenging problem, provide Empathy. /e.t, discuss the problem and set a Goal for creating a solution. inally, identify the reasonable Options available to solve the problem; choose which option to use and move forward.$n this strategy you are showing compassion and the ability to assist in fnding the solution. This will lead to more of an open, honest, respectful atmosphere within the team. People will notice your sensitivity and your rational approach to work.!ngaging in respectful communication is a work in progress, but if team members cannot communicate effectively, productivity will suffer. $f you fnd yourself in the midst of escalating con"ict . . . 0T-P1 &y choosing to communicate respectfully, you can fully leverage inner control, clarity, andhonesty. Team members are most creative when there is an atmosphere ofrespect and acceptance.