Whole Foods Market and Interpersonal Communication

• Discuss how the basic interpersonal communication model that is presented in Figure 8. 1 can be applied to the impersonal nature of an online forum. Interpersonal communication is communications between two or more people in an organization.

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The skills needed for successful communication in the workplace include reading, listening, managing and interpreting information, and serving clients. The basic interpersonal communication model that is presented in Figure 8. can be applied to impersonal nature of an online forum by following the same principle that an individual would in the workplace, the only difference is instead of communicating face to face you will be communicating electronically in an online forum. In interpersonal communication there is the communicator, the message, the receiver, perceptual screens and feedback. In an impersonal nature of an online forum the same method applies.

For example, skillful interpersonal communication involves basic conversational language skills including listening and speaking abilities, a basic understanding of how personalities and cultures effect communication, an understanding of your own personality, culture, and preferences, and knowledge of conflict prevention techniques. An individual can apply these same guidelines in an online forum. Instead of listening and speaking abilities like an individual would follow through interpersonal communication, the individual would use correct grammar and punctuation. How does defensive communication enter into this case?

Defensive communication can be defined as communication that can be aggressive, attacking, and angry, or passive and withdrawing. Defensive communication enters into this case through John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market. He continuously displays communication that is aggressive, attacking, and angry. One incident defensive communication took place at a retailing conference in Manhattan in 2001, John Mackey shouted “I’m going to destroy you,” to Perry Odak, CEO of Wild Oats.

John Mackey posted numerous comments that criticized Wild Oats Markets such as “no company would want to buy Wild Oats Markets Inc. , “OATS locations are too small and management doesn’t know what they are doing”, and “Oats has no value and no future. ” For nearly eight years Mackey posted online comments under the name Rahodeb, in the online stock forums of Yahoo Finance. How is the Internet transforming the way people communicate? The Internet is transforming the way people communicate through several methods. For instance, through online communication one cannot truly know how the other person is feeling because facial and eye behaviors and/or body gestures become absent.

This makes it difficult for an individual to communicate with another through online forums. Also, just like in interpersonal communication one must be aware of cultural diversity, in online forums, an individual may not be aware of the culture in which they are trying to communicate which in turn makes communication difficult. Another method in which Internet is transforming the way people communicate is since online forums are impersonal in nature; the Internet shields the sender from personal interaction.

This may cause individuals less patient with face-to-face communication. However, the use of online forums encourages polyphasic, or multi-tasking activity. Discuss the ethical problems that are revealed by examining John Mackey's online postings in relation to the communications provision of the Whole Foods Declaration of Interdependence? Ethical problems that are revealed by examining John Mackey’s online posting in relation to the communications provisions of the Whole Foods Declaration of Interdependence include John Mackey’s actions of unprofessionalism.

The postings under the pseudonym name Rahodeb were extremely unprofessional especially coming from the CEO of the company. The communications provisions of the Whole Foods Declaration of Interdependence states “[o]ur ability to install a clear sense of interdependence among our various stockholders…is contingent to communicate more often, more openly, and more compassionately. Better communication equals better understanding and more trust. ” Mackey’s communication through Yahoo Finance postings, were far from compassionate and open. He slandered the Wild Oats Market reputation.

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