Personality and Communication Roles - Essay Example

?Case Analysis: Personality and communication roles play a very important role in making the communication effective. Good communication can only take place when all the participating parties are honest with one another and mutually consent to reach an agreeable and amicable solution for the problem at hand. In this paper, I have conducted the analysis of communication and personality roles in a scenario from my past in which I had to sell a house to Mr. X and Mr. Y. This was the most absurd incident of my whole life, and I had never met such people ever before them. Till this day, I have not been able to understand the psyche of the two of them. It happened when I advertised my house for sale. Mr. X approached me with Mr. Y. I welcomed the two and offered them to come into my drawing room. I was wearing a grin on my face and was treating them with utmost respect. I pulled chairs for them, turned on the AC as they had been in the sweltering heat of the sun for quite some time and needed refreshment. Both of my guests were in very pleasant mood. They had dressed up a bit too formally for the level of formality the occasion required. I was in casual dress in my home, wearing a T shirt over the pajamas. It was Sunday and people in general would normally be in bed that early in the morning. I had just been out of the bed. The two of them had approached me too early in the morning, though I did not mind at all. I asked them what would they take – tea or coffee. They asked for coffee. I went inside and asked my wife, Martha to make three cups of coffee. I needed to give them company both in person and in coffee, so I went back towards the drawing room. As I approached them and we were settled. Mr. X began the conversation. Mr. X: So Mr. A, we are interested in purchasing your home that you have recently advertised. Me: Sure. (Mr. Y remained silent all this while and for most part of the communication till the end). Mr. X: Your home is good but its price is too high. We need to bargain. Me: Maybe. What do you want to pay? (Meanwhile the coffee with muffins appeared on the table. I helped them to the coffee and muffins.) Mr. X: I want to buy this house for $50,000. Me: Sorry, that is not even half the demanded price. (Mr. X and Mr. Y exchanged looks. By the time, they had finished their cups of coffee and muffins). Mr. X: But look at your house! It is the cheapest in the whole town. (I was shocked by this sudden change of attitude. My house was certainly not the cheapest one around, and that guy was trying to disdain me and my property unnecessarily.) Me: I am extremely sorry but unfortunately, the price can not be bargained upon. This is the amount I require, and will keep the property with me unless this amount has been paid by a party. I respect your concerns for this house but I have no option to think otherwise. (That was the first time Mr. Y spoke). Mr. Y: If you do not agree to sell your house to us at our desired price, we shall spread the rumor that your house’s foundations are shaken and that it can fall into pieces anytime. (My suspicion was confirmed. They were two blackmailers. Otherwise, there was no point dressing up like that or coming over to my house that early in the morning, or saying things they did regarding my house if they were sincere and really wanting to buy it.). I told the two to leave before immediately and do whatever they think they can. In any communication, visual appearance of the participants casts an important impression upon others. “Reduced to its essence, negotiation is a form of interpersonal communication. Communication processes, both verbal and nonverbal, are critical to achieving negotiation goals and to resolving conflicts” (Barry, Lewicki, Saunders, 2006). Mr. X and Mr. Y were wearing dress pant and coat in the sweltering heat of May and that too very early in the morning. Perhaps, with the sober expression and formal dressing, they wanted to convey that they were to be taken seriously. However, “It’s important to be sincere rather than just being serious” (MSG, n.d.). Mr. Y remained quite throughout the communication, like as if he was not there mentally. For quite some time in the start, I thought that Mr. Y could not speak because of a natural linguistic disability. Mr. Y’s attitude was rather offending. He said nothing but tried to freak me out in the end with his attempt to ruin the reputation of my house’s safety. On the other hand, my attitude with both of them in the start and for a major part of the communication had remained very pleasant and humble until I recognized their intentions. Even though I was filled with anger to hear Mr. X’s comment of cheapest house, I remained composed and patient, and gave my final word saying the price could not be bargained upon. A good negotiator is an individual who remains patient, is aware and possesses good communication and interpersonal skills (McGuire, 2004). I did not want to retrograde to their level by paying them in the same coin or being equally indecent with them. Concluding the analysis, it can be said that in this communication scenario, Mr. X played the role of a mocker while Mr. Y played the role of a bully. Naturally with the two being in offending roles, I played the role of victim. Mr. X’s participation in the communication was active while that of Mr. Y was passive, though his presence did make a difference as I was constantly thinking if he did not speak or was not speaking for some hidden purpose. References: Barry, B., Lewicki, R., & Sanders, D. (2006). Negotiation. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Mcguire, R. (2004). Negotiation: an important life skill. The Pharmaceutical Journal. 273. Retrieved http://www.pharmj.com/pdf/cpd/pj_20040703_negotiation.pdf. Management Study Guide. (n.d.). Role of Personality in Negotiation. Retrieved from http://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-personality-in-negotiation.htm. Read More