WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF ETHICAL COMMUNICATION?

Speaker 1: Enrique Fiallo

Life and Recovery Coach
University of Miami

A complex question, but in the spirit of avoiding a thesis level, boringly complex answer that no
one will read, I will attempt to keep it simple yet responsive.

Transparency is a key element of ethical communication - It is not ethical to obscure, hide or

otherwise obfuscate a statement, answer to a question, or presentation by spinning or keeping
certain key relevant facts or aspects about the topic, hidden behind fancy, irrelevant or
misleading words.

Maintaining your Integrity is a second key element. People with integrity communicate honestly
and ethically. They establish credibility and trustworthiness through the integrity of their
character, and as a result, of their communications. Once you are able to establish integrity with
someone, whatever you communicate to them will be trusted and viewed as ethical. And in turn,
you will be viewed as an ethical person.

There are other elements that are important in establishing ethical communications as well. Two
of these are consistency of message, and timeliness (for example, it is not ethical in my opinion
to knowingly fail to deliver a message in a timely manner that might have prevented a problem
or mishap).

For me, Transparency and Integrity are the two key ones.

Speaker 2: Truman Hatt

Independent Study of Ethics
Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology
VUU at Emmaus Bible College
It is important not to assume the other person understands what you are trying to communicate.
Seek to understand the cultural and circumstantial things that may be influence how they
perceive you and your communication to them. Try to be as clear as possible and articulate
yourself well, and watch their responses and reactions and try to see things from their point of
view as well as yours.

It is also important to respect the other person through the words you choose and how you
express yourself, such as respectful tone and body language. This includes not attempting to
multitask while communicating with someone, since this can show a lack of respect and concern
(it doesn’t always, though).

Think about your own biases and motives while communicating and keep them in check so that
you can treat the other person fairly. Try to really hear what they are communicating, instead of
just hearing what you want to hear.

In terms of honesty, you don’t have to say everything that is true, but try not to say something
that is untrue. If you don’t want to answer a question or inquiry, it is acceptable to decline
answering.