Management & Communication Skills

Communication

There are many formal definitions of the term communication. Explaining this term in simple words, it is the exchange of information. For a more technical definition of this term, it is "The successful transmission of information through a common system of symbols, signs, behavior, speech, writing, or signals". (Massachusetts Department of Education 2001) Communication is an essential process in every sphere of life. In organizations, communication is the key to successful transfer of information between people working there. Hence the communication process-taking place in organizations must be in the most vivid form.

Organizational Communication

Organizational communication is the branch of communication which deals with the efficient transfer of knowledge in organizations. Organizational communication comprises of the following elements:

-The methods used by people to communicate in an organizational context.

-The impact of or the interaction with organizational structures in the process of communicating and organizing (Wikipedia 2006: Organizational Communication). When communication is referred to organizations, there are four major objectives that are focused on:

* Control:

Communication behaves as to control member behavior in several ways. Organizations have the authority hierarchies and certain formal guidelines that the workforce is bound to follow. An example situation, to explain this aspect of communication in organizations is that when the employees desire to communicate any complaints regarding their job to their immediate boss, such as problems in performing their job responsibilities, or in accepting certain company policies, communication performs the control function.

* Motivation:

Communication facilitates motivation by making it easy for the workforce to understand what is to be done, their performance level of doing it, and how to make improvements that are required. The structuring of specific organizational goals, the...