Workplace communication
Workplace communication is the process of exchanging information, both verbal and non-verbal, within an organization. An organization may consist of employees from different parts of the society. In order to unite the activities of all employees, communication is crucial. Communicating necessary information to the entire workforce becomes necessary. Effective workplace communication ensures that all the organizational objectives are achieved.
The following are the factors influencing workplace communication:
- Method of communication:
Different people absorb information in different ways. To make sure that the information conveyed is understood by all, the method used for communication needs to be simple and clear. When presenting vital information, using pictures will make way for easy understanding. Preferring two-way communication is considered best for communicating. Adequate importance can be given for discussion, questions and clarifications.[1]
- Content:
The content of the information plays a major role in workplace communication. The level of detail must be according to the grasping capacity of the audience. Giving too much detail may get the audience bored and too little detail won’t make them involved. Use of jargon while communicating is not considered good for effective workplace communication.[2]
- Frequency:
While formal workplace communication that is done too rarely or too often is not good for an organization, frequent informal workplace communication has its benefits.[3] A perfect balance is required for the proper functioning of an organization. Information must be communicated as and when required rather than holding unnecessary meetings frequently. At the same time crucial information must not be held till the last hour or day, instead they have to be communicated as early as possible to get the employees in tune with the objectives of the organization.[4]
- Skills:
Getting the message across efficiently depends on the skills of the communicator such as presentation skills, group facilitation skills and written communication skills. Successful communication also depends upon the capacity of the employees to understand the information. This requires providing the employees some basic financial literacy like financial statements, sales, profitability, etc.[5]
References
- ^ Eunson, Baden (2007). Communication in the workplace. Milton, Qld: Wiley. ISBN 0731406508.
- ^ Ludden, Marsha (2007). Effective workplace communication : skills for success in life and on the job (3rd ed. ed.). Indianapolis, Ind.: JIST Works. ISBN 1593574339.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ Whittaker, Steve (April 24–28, 1994). "Informal workplace communication: what is it like and how might we support it?". CHI '94 Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems: celebrating interdependence: 131–137.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ Picardi, Richard P. (2001). Skills of workplace communication : a handbook for T & D specialists and their organizations ([Online-Ausg.] ed.). Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books. ISBN 9781567203622.
- ^ Gerson, Sharon J. Gerson, Steven M. (2007). Workplace communication : process and product. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0132288087.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)