Communication

An organization is a human group constituted for certain specified objectives. The achievement of these objectives largely depends upon the fact that human efforts are properly coordinated and integrated. Thus, individuals in the organization performing different activities are functionally interrelated. The working and maintaining of these relationships is possible through             communication, which provides for exchange of information, sharing of ideas.  Communication, then, becomes a necessary element in human relationships by providing the foundation for human interaction.  Further, it also performs the energizing function in the organization by transmitting  information, facts, feelings and ideas thereby making coordinate efforts possible. It allows reviews and feed back of the situation as and when required. Communication can, as such, be regarded as basic to the  functioning of the organization.  In its absence, organization would cease to exist.

Communication Defined

v      Communication can be defined as: Exchange of Ideas, Information and Feelings

v      Communication involves a Sender and Receiver

v      Communication can be between more than two people

v      Communication constitutes of Verbal and Non Verbal Communication

v      Communication is both Written and Oral

v      Communication involves both Speaking and Listening  

The Purpose of Communication

1.   Develop plans for their achievement,

2.   Organize human and other resources in the most effective and efficient way,

3.   Select, Develop, and Appraise members of the organization,

4.   Lead, Direct, Motivate, and Create the climate in which people want to contribute, and

5.   Control Performance.

Clarity about Communication

Before discussing how the communication process works, let’s examine seven myths about communication

(i)   We communicate only when we want to communicate.  This is not true.  We communicate all day, everyday, often without realizing it. 

(ii)  Words mean the same to both the speaker and the listener.  Words hold different meanings for different people, based on their various experiences, perceptions, and biases. 

(iii) We communicate chiefly with words.  In reality, most communication is nonverbal. 

(iv)      Nonverbal communication is silent communication.  Some people believe that all nonverbal communication can be seen but not heard.  This is not true, because we can hear laughter, weeping, or the tone of voice in which something is said.  If you hear co-workers whistling as they go about their jobs, you naturally assume that they are having good days.

(v) Communication is a one-way street between an active speaker and a passive listener.  This myth assumes that all speakers talk to listeners rather than with them.  In reality, communication is better when both parties participate actively. 

(vi)      The message we communicate is the message that the listener receives.  People often assume that others receive their messages exactly as they intended them. 

(vii)     There is no such thing as too much information.  Both too little and too much information can be bad.  Few employees need to know every little detail about an assignment, and a manager can easily overload an employee with needless information.