Understanding organizational

communication

How well do you

communicate????

MIMS,MU
Understanding organizational
communication

How well do you

communicate????

MIMS,MU
Communication
Communication is the process of two or more people or
groups exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, and
feelings.

Communication is the act of sending information or

ideas via speech, visuals, writing or any other such
method.

The Communication model has a sender who is sending

the message and the receiver who is receiving the
message.
The word communication has been derived from the
Latin word 'communis' which means 'common' which
consequently implies common understanding.
Characteristics
Involves a minimum of two persons; sender and the
receiver.
Two way traffic/ Dyadic process
Influenced by the mode of thinking of both the
sender and the receiver.
Main objective is to build an interpersonal
relationship.
Circular process.
Has four specific skills
Communication skills
Skills Related to Sender/Receiver Mode
Reading Written Receiver mode
Writing Written Sender
Speaking Oral Sender
Listening Oral Receiver
Critical Thinking
Why should we strive to improve our
communication skills?
Why is it difficult to do?
 What were the causes of the problem?
 What were possible remedies?
 5.
Feedback travels
to sender

1. 2. 3. 4.
Sender has Sender Message Receiver
idea encodes travels decodes
idea in over message
message channel

6.
Possible additional
feedback to receiver
Elements of communication
Sender: Person who sends the message
(Source/Encoder)
Message: Ideas, Thoughts, Opinions, Information,
Feelings
Medium/channel: Means of transmission
(Written/Oral/Physical/Digital)
Receiver: Person who receives the message
(Listener/ Decoder)
Feedback: Reply from the receiver
Encoding: Changing the message (from mental
form) to symbols that is patterns of words/
gestures/ pictorial forms or signs.

Decoding: Act of translating symbols in

communication into their ordinary interpretation.
PROCESS
• Sender: The person who conceptualised the idea and wants it
delivered to the recipient.
• Encoding: The way the information is described or translated
into a message.
• Message: The idea, fact or opinion that the sender wants to
communicate.
• Communication channel: The method of delivering the
message. Computer, TV, Mobiles
• Receiver: The target audience of the message. Should be in a
fit condition in receiving the message.
• Decoding: The interpretation of the message.
• Feedback: The response or action a receiver takes after
decoding a message.
Types of communication
On the basis of channel

Verbal/oral/Written Communication
Non-Verbal Communication
Meta communication
Meta communication
 What’s said: “I am fine. Everything is OK.”
 What’s metacommunicated: A sigh, accompanied by face
rubbing and a slight frown, might suggest it wasn’t as good of a
day as said.

 What’s said: “I’m so excited to meet you!”

 What’s metacommunicated: Arriving late to the meeting,
appearing unkempt, and looking around distractedly might
indicate a lack of interest.

 What’s said: “I would never do that.”

 What’s metacommunicated: Fidgeting movements and avoidant
eye contact can convey the presence of guilt or uneasiness.
On the basis of relationship
between sender and receiver
On the basis of organisational
structure
Formal communication
Informal communication
FORMAL COMMUNICATION
When communication
occurs using the
predetermined or
official rules or
regulations of the
organisation.
Follows the established
chain of command.
INFORMAL COMMUNICATION
An informal
communication system is
also known as grapevine.
Under informal
communication, a piece of
information flows in all
directions without paying
any heed to the level or
authority.
Organisational Communication
• Organizational communication can be defined as a method of
conveying and sharing information such as organizational
goals, plans used to achieve those goals, policies, rules &
regulations, and other trivial details.
• ineffective organizational communication results in
misunderstanding, lack of coordination, and incompetence in
the organization.
• Types of information:
 Statutory information
 Regular work situations
 Major policy
 Information bulletin
 Communication by expectancy
• Broadly, the term organizational
communication describes how a firm’s information is
shared internally and externally.
– Newsletters
– All-staff or team-specific meetings
– Messaging platforms
– One-on-one meetings
– Casual in-office interactions, such as a watercooler
chat
Examples of external organizational communication
include:
Press releases
Social media posts
Check-in calls with clients
Meetings with stakeholders
Seven Communication Roadblocks
Differences in perspectives
Seven Communication Roadblocks
Differences in Knowledge levels
Seven Communication Roadblocks
Lack of common language
Seven Communication Roadblocks
Tendency to stereotype and jump to conclusions
Seven Communication Roadblocks
Strong emotions
Seven Communication Roadblocks
Self centeredness
Seven Communication Roadblocks
Plain laziness
Other barriers
Selective Perception
Filtering
Information Overload
Lack of source creditability
HOW TO OVERCOME?
 Fostering a good relationships
 Co-ordination
 Avoid technical language
 Feedback
 Clarity in message
 Proper communication channels
 Accuracy
 Acknowledging any emotional responses the
person has to what you have said.
 Improve language and listening skills