10 The management should find out the people in the informal groups Fundamentals of

who are more active on grapevine. These people should be Communication

accurately and adequately informed so that the false rumors causing NOTES
excitement and insecurity do not spread among the employees.
11 The management should remember that the workplace community
is maintained not only by the work itself but also by the informal
human relationships. Therefore, the manager should honestly try
to integrate their interests with those of the informal groups.
Consensus
What is Consensus?
The concept of consensus has become quite familiar and desirable
means of informal communication not only in the political fields but
also in the commercial spheres as well. It is a common agreement of
opinion on a given problem among the majority of people in a group
or community. The board meeting of commercial organizations takes
certain decisions through consensus. Sometimes, merely a copy of
resolution is circulated among the members of a particular group to
get their approval. When the decisions are taken unanimously, the
unity of the group is recognised. It projects a good image of the
business house and the status of the organization is raised. It also
suggests high morale of the management to the employees, customers,
shareholders, and other people.
Consensus does not mean that there exist no opposite views among
the members of the group. Of course, perfect unanimity should not e
expected because it cannot exist. As consensus does not imply perfect
unanimity, it implies that the majority of people express a particular
view, which is accepted as the consensus by all the members including
those who actually oppose it. The dissent of the opposition is
sacrificed in the interests of the harmony among the members or in
the larger interests of the organization.
The consensus is sought through consultation. The problem is
presented before the board meeting by the chief of the management in
the form of the proposal or resolution. The problem is analyzed and
some additional information regarding it is also collected.
Significance of Consensus
1 The consensus communication projects a good image of the
management. Self-Instructional Material 15