Chapter 10

Business and professional communication ethics is defined as “the study of communication within particular business and professional settings, defined by participation in the public square of competitive economic exchange” (pg. 174). Understanding the complexities of business and professional communication ethics requires an assumption that commitment in business and professional environment is the equivalent of good manners and proper form. In particular, commitment to one direction and change assumes that the presumptuous belief that a given place and practice will exist for all time is dangerous. The author later address the misconceptions about communication ethics in business and professional contexts begins when we situate “ethics in the person” suggests that if we have good people, we will have a good business and professional communication ethics” (pg. 178).

Throughout the chapter the author provides meaning of the term “beyond manners” by explaining how our manners and proper form coordinating smooth lines of interaction in the professional work setting. Confusion arises when our impulse equates communication ethics with attributes of the individual “me” thinking that only “good people” “like me” can assist an organization. Additionally “there is a common temptation to list or describe all the behavior that “should” define communicating ethically in a business and professional setting. The reason for rejecting the temptation is that it does not give one communication ethics literacy” (178). In our society today, we often only think about our self and what we consider “good” for an organization rather than considering other viewpoints. This “me” thinking also equates to relationships and common interactions with others. Why do we only tend to think about our self? Do other countries also have a “me” way of communicating?

For example, last semester and over the summer I interned at a non- profit. The organization was recently established and I was one of the first interns that were hired. There was no set guidelines of the specific tasks the intern had to complete, nor was there a given communication guideline exchange. This was difficult because being one of the first interns at the organization we were essentially the “guinea pigs.” My boss had a difficult time assigning tasks to us because he was new himself to his role as the owner and manager. He frequently displayed a “me” way of thinking that his way, was the only good way. How can one in position of authority allow others to contribute effectively without portraying “my way is the only way?” Additionally, his philosophy aligned with the reading that “the impulse to equate communication ethics with attributes of the individual, “me” walks into a common temptation of thinking that only “good people,” “people like me,” can assist an organization. In a time of postmodern disagreement on what is and is not good, it is simply impossible to find enough good people who believe just as “I” do (pg. 178). What are other ways an organization can diverge from thinking only “good people” can assist in decision making and communication ethics?