Lena Segler-Heikkilä, Principal Lecturer, Diak
In the presentation, the focus is on communicational aspects as wellbeing factors at work. Three perspectives will be discussed. First, some theories of nonviolent and mindful communication will be presented. Secondly, the outcome of a new research concerning wellbeing at work through mindful communication will be presented. Thirdly, the perspective of linguistic accessibility at work as a factor of wellbeing will be discussed.
On the basis of different theories concerning nonviolent and mindful communication, Lena Segler-Heikkilä made research on communication as a tool for wellbeing at work by asking the staff members of Humak UAS for positive and negative communicational experiences that had an impact on wellbeing at work. After analyzing, generalizing and categorizing the answers, it became clear that the staff members of Humak put the stress on four positive and six negative communicational factors. The following four positive factors are highly appreciated: 1. Understanding and noticing each other, real interest, 2. Friendly, respectful and supportive behaviour, 3. True cooperation and 4. Effectiveness. As an outcome of understanding and noticing each other and showing real interest in the colleague, the staff members achieve the feeling of being liked, respected, trusted, acknowledged, appreciated, valued, safe and supported. By being treated in a friendly, respectful and supportive way, they get the feeling of being accepted, a part of the community, informed, safe, understood, needed and treated equally. True cooperation develops the feeling of being an equal part of the team, the feeling of getting things done together with a common goal, the feeling of equality, meaningfulness, synergy, getting problems solved in a civilised and smooth way. By interacting effectively, the feelings of meaningfulness, satisfaction, contentment, development, advancement, effectiveness and precision arise. (Segler-Heikkilä, 2022.)
As negative factors of interaction, the following six factors were stressed: 1. Being stuck in own perspectives and opinions, lack of open-mindedness, 2. Authoritarian behaviour, commanding, threatening, causing pressure, 3. Ignorance, favouritism, bashing others psychologically, insulting the other’s intelligence, bullying, feeding the own ego by bragging, 4. Lack of reaction and eye contact, lack of interest, weak listening stills, speaking on top of others, concentration problems, silence, passivity, 5. Holding back information, interfering and 6. Extreme emotionality, lack of emotion regulation skills, inappropriate behaviour, aggression, negative body language, negative attitude. The use of these violennt communication factors have an substantially negative effect on wellbeing at the workplace. (Chapman, 2012; Rosenberg, 2015; Segler-Heikkilä, 2022.)
As an interesting outcome of the research, the phenomenon of linguistic integration and accessibility should be mentioned. Through the answers, it became clear that linguistic accessibility at the workplace has a positive impact on the employees‘ wellbeing. Also this research outcome will be stressed during the presentation. (Segler-Heikkilä, 2022.)
Sources
Chapman, S. G. (2012). The Five Keys to Mindful Communication: Using Deep Listening and Mindful Speech to Strengthen Relationships, Heal Conflicts, and Accomplish Your Goals. Boston: Shambala Publications.
Rosenberg, M.B. (2015). Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Encinitas, CA: Puddle Dancer Press.
Segler-Heikkilä, L. (2022). Nonviolent Interaction at Work – a Strategy for Improving Communication-Based Wellbeing at the Workplace. In: Segler-Heikkilä, L. & Halkosaari, L. Kommunikaation monet kasvot. Helsinki: Humanistinen ammattikorkeakoulu.
