Communication at

Work
Nature of Communication

 Communication looks simple and almost

effortless.

 Every communicative exchange is affected by

principles that aren’t always apparent.
Communication Principles

 Communication is Unavoidable.
“One cannot not communicate.”
- We send messages even by our absence.
Communication Principles

 Communication is Strategic.
- All communication is aimed at achieving
goals.
o Instrumental Communication – messages
aimed at accomplishing task at hand.
Communication Principles

o Relational Communication – messages that

shape and reflect the way people regard one
another.
Communication Principles

 Communication is Irreversible.
“ People may forgive, but they don’t forget ”

 Communication is a Process.

 Communication is Not a Panacea.

- Although communication can smooth out the
bumps and straighten the road to success, it
won’t always get what you want.
Communication Channels

 The channel you choose to deliver a message

can have a big influence on your effectiveness.

 Consider the Tone of your Message.

 Consider the Organization’s Culture.
 Consider using Multiple Channels.
Communicating In and Beyond
Organization

 Formal Communication Networks

- Systems designed by management to
dictate who should talk to whom to get a job done.
Communicating In and Beyond
Organization

 Downward Communication
- Occurs whenever superiors initiate messages to
their subordinates.

 Upward Communication
- Messages flowing from subordinates to
superiors.
Communicating In and Beyond
Organization

 Horizontal Communication
- Sometimes called lateral communication.
- It consist of messages between members of an
organization with equal power.
Informal Communication

 Patterns of interaction based on friendship,

shared personal or career interests, and
proximity.

Personal Networking
- Networking is the term usually used that has
strategic dimension that goes beyond being
sociable.