Communication is a basic workplace skill, which adds value to employers at every level of work. It builds social capital, problem-solving, transactional talk, decision-making, training, exchange of goods or services, etc. Ultimately, workplace Discourse helps build mutual respect through proven social boundaries.

What Is Workplace Disclosure?

Workplace Discourse caters to the rapidly developing area of verbal and written workplace communication with a fresh approach to the research methods and key obstacles in the field. It provides a detailed view of the field up to date, with a wide range of analytical approaches. Moreover, it records the corpus of conversations in the office environment, and demonstrates the interaction between the speakers, on ways to accomplish tasks and uphold relationships at work.

What is Herbert Paul Grice’s Cooperative Principle on Workplace Discourse?

As humans, it is natural to talk to others. Herbert Paul Grice, an English language theorist, states that talkers are predetermined to be cooperative when they talk. Here Grice designates the term ‘cooperative’ to an extent that the speaker is aware of the potential interference of the utterances, especially when it comes to autonomy, personal rights, and wishes. Hence Grice devised the principle of cooperation as follows – To make the conversational contribution only as much as is required, during the stage in which it occurs, using an accepted purpose or direction of the talk exchange in which a person is engaged. (Grice 1989:26)

The following are the four maxims of Grice’s cooperative principle, they are –

        i. Maxim of quality: A speaker has to tell the truth or something demonstrable with sufficient evidence.

      ii. Maxim of quantity: The communication has to be informative as required. It must not be opinion more or less.

   iii. Maxim of relation: The response has to be appropriate and complement the topic of discussion.

   iv. Maxim of manner: Ambiguity or obscurity must be avoided and the conversation must be direct and harmonizing.

Importance of Workplace Discourse in an Organization

~ Promotes Good Understanding – Effective workplace communication eliminates the guesswork from the messages. So, the ideas are effectively communicated, and the audience does not have any doubts associated with the conversation.

~  Indicates Emotions – There are different times when people feel stressed. E.g. Meeting with peers, handling an aggressive situation, etc., all contribute to a stressful situation.  So understanding these emotional cues gives a big advantage in dealing with situations and finding solutions to them, as it will help adjust the message according to the mood and the requirement of the target audience.

~  Helps Maintain Relationships – Good relationship relies only on effective communication. Effective interaction in relationships helps avoid conflict and strengthens the bonds.

Skills Required for Effective Workplace Discourse

• Listening Actively – This involves paying attention to the conversation with compassion and responsiveness. In case you don’t possess these qualities, you can remain silent, nod your head and maintain effectual eye contact. This will communicate to the speaker that you have heard and understood.

• Acknowledge Others – A simple smile, waving a hand, or a nod when you pass across a person or when you see them in a group, can mean a lot to the other person. Always look for opportunities to observe the qualities of other people and let them know that you have recognized them.

• Conflict Resolution – When you have conflicts with other people, let them know that you have considered their point of view as well. But, remain firm in your position without hurting the feelings of the other person. Conclude the conversation as amiably as possible, and close the conflict.

Linking with Context

A. The Routledge Handbook of Language in the Workplace < https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9781315690001.ch3/ >.

B. Grice: “Logic and Conversation” < https://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/453/GriceLogicDisplay.pdf/ >.

C. How to deliver the framework for the Future of the Corporation < https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/future-of-the-corporation-principles-purposeful-business.pdf/ >.

D. Workplace Discourse with a Focus on Forms of Address and Politeness Strategies < https://www.mcser.org/journal/index.php/mjss/article/view/357/ >.