Through a survey done of about 400 corporations, it was noted that inefficiency and barriers in communication led to losses worth billions of dollars. Communication within an organization, just like in other parts of life, is one of the most important things. From the top of the organizational structure to the bottom, from the CEO to middle management and lower staff; the flow of communication, whether formal or informal, serves as a basis for smooth working, promotions of teamwork, and production of new ideas. It cannot be overstated, as some have even referred to it as the lifeblood of an organization.
A free-flowing and concise flow of information requires clear-cut communication. There are many forms of it in the workplace. There is horizontal communication, which concerns itself with the vertical flow of information through an organization’s hierarchical structure. While horizontal communication concerns itself with the flow of information between groups of employees that are at the same or similar levels of the organizational hierarchy, or between team members.
The purpose of communication is to keep employees updated about policy changes, rule changes, or other pertinent information. It also helps to understand the atmosphere of the organization both, at the employer level, and employee level. Any successful organization has sophisticated and detailed policies for formal communication within the organization.
Let’s explore the significance of communication in an organization.
A Foundation For Coordination
Frequent communication is essential for coordination between employees inside an organization to stay consistent. An organization might go through administrative changes or other such structural changes, in which case they will use the formal channels of intra-organizational communication to keep the employees informed of any and all ways that they might be affected by such changes. They will also use these channels to convey to the employees about the aims or achievements of an organization, clear up the roles of the employees within the organization to ensure that everyone performs at the optimum level. When everyone is informed of their respective roles, the coordination between employees working on projects together will become more efficient as a result.
Increases Efficiency
The efficiency of any organization will increase automatically through communication. If an employee has any problems or issues that they are facing within or outside the organization that are interfering with their work, or if there is something that the managerial department wishes to communicate with the employees, whatever it may be, with effective communication, it can be solved or conveyed allowing for faster working.
Morale & Motivation Booster
Effective communication allows management to influence, and motivate the employees and subordinates. As previously discussed, communication also leads to increased efficiency in work, which is worthy of its own praise. Management can identify an efficient system of communication that enables them to motivate, influence, and satisfy the subordinates. It also allows them to understand their employees better, which can help in solving any and all problems that may arise from the side of the employee.
Transmission of New Ideas
Effective communication breeds a prosperous and creative environment within an organization. It can lead to the birth of new ideas and innovation, and it doesn’t just adjust the attitudes within the organization, but also allows for the imparting of knowledge and skills.
So, as a whole, in a well-oiled organizational structure, this is the role that communication plays:
- Aids in broadening mental acuity.
- Allows a boost in the levels of ambitions within the organization.
- Removes distractions and allows for focus on issues that are integral to either the foundations or the development of the company.
- Allows for a proper consensus on employee opinions and unity on goals that can be economical, social, or otherwise important to the workforce.
For an organization to exist, first there must exist a proper blueprint for communication. As without this basic foundational pillar, the organization cannot function. All managerial duties require some level of communication, without that, duties such as planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, and such, the structure of said organization falls into disarray.
In today’s ever-globalizing world, communication has become more important than ever. Communication skills can make or break bonds, whether they be organizational or personal. Organizations can look at the communication skills of an individual and that can be all the difference on whether they hire that person or not.
