Communication

Pattern
What is Communication?

• Communication is a transfer of information. It is

classified into verbal, non-verbal and written. It
also has different forms: intrapersonal,
interpersonal, group and mass communication.
What are Communication Patterns?
• Communication patterns are structures in which communication
flows in an organization. They are the communication links in work
teams according to the organizational structures.

• The patterns are related to work efficiency and who is responsible

towards whom or who talks to whom. It also relates to satisfaction
of group members and decision-making process.
 Types
of
Communication Patterns
Circle
 Circle
• there is a leader and hierarchies in the group members.
Here, the leader can only communicate to the members who
are next to him/her like their direct subordinates. He/she
cannot talk with any other members too, like the lowest level
of workers.

• All group members can only communicate to the people who

are above them or below them in the chain of command.
The message flows in one direction or way.
Chain (line)
Chain (line)
• In the circle, a person can send a message that
reaches all members of the group whereas, in the
chain, it is either top to bottom level staffs or bottom to
top level staffs. It is a one-way flow of communication.

• In chain communication pattern, all members cannot

communicate with the leader of the group like in a
circle.
Wheel (star)
Wheel
• In wheel pattern, there is a leader at the center of all
communication. All others are members that stand at
the same level in the structure.

• Here, all members can communicate with the leader

and vice versa. But, members cannot interact with each
other. Sometimes, members do not even know of the
existence of other members of the same group.
Y pattern
Y pattern
• Y pattern of communication is more complicated as
there are different sub-groups within a group. In the
center is a leader who manages these sub-groups. 

• The sub-groups cannot communicate with each other.

They need to pass the information through the leader to
send any message to other sub-groups.
Network
Network
• Bureaucratic organization communications structures
are taken as network pattern of communication as it is a
non-symmetric network of people with social relations.
Their job roles are interlinked.

• Communication in networks can be prescriptive, like

rules given from leader to other members or descriptive
like case reports given by members to leaders.