The importance of communication in an organisation cannot be overemphasised. Communication is key to the existence of man and therefore, a business venture. As you ask, ‘what is communication’, communication is the exchange of texts, signs and symbols between parties to create understanding. There are different types of communication in an organization. It could either be oral or written communication. In an organisation, communication is a tool used every day to achieve company goals as it is a tool for socialising, educating and informing stakeholders and shareholders in an organisation. There are common commination barriers which affect organizational communication, such as clarity of the message, use of an inappropriate channel, network issues and more. All of this must be deployed to achieve effective communication within an organisation.
Here are 10 importance of communication in an organization.
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Increase productivity
An organisation will experience an increased productivity rate if employees communicate effectively within the organisations hierarchy. The simple act of providing adequate and needed information at the right time will save a lot of work time, allowing for more things to be done. Communication is also important to improve employee and employer relations. The idea behind this theory is that employees who relate well to each other will be able to work better as a team. Good teamwork is a recipe for increased productivity. Understanding what needs to be done is another gift of communicating in an organisation as it helps to get work done faster.
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Motivation
Communication is also a basic tool for motivation, which can improve the morale of the employees in any organization. Having good relations with other members of an organisation is motivating and it boosts the morale of an employee because one is comfortable to share their thoughts, feelings and other ideas without worry. Inappropriate or faulty communication among employees or between manager and subordinates is a major cause of conflict and low morale at work. Nobody wishes to dread a colleague in the workplace. A manager should clarify to employees about what is to be done, how well they are doing and what can be done for better performance to improve their motivation. Recognition, admonition and encouragement communicate a lot to and about the organisation.
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Create a comfortable work environment
No employee or employer will be comfortable not being able to communicate with his/her subordinates or colleagues. It would cause mental chaos. Man cannot do without communicating, so man must communicate. Communication brings about understanding and understanding births mutual respect and healthy working relationships. Being able to relate comfortably with your colleagues, subordinates and superiors brings about a comfortable work environment. This is crucial to the personal fulfilment of every member of the organization. A comfortable work environment brings about happiness, happiness is motivating, and motivation increases productivity. An increased productivity level will help the company to attain organisational goals at the appointed time. This comfort can also be seen as a sense of security for every employee and employer.
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Build organizational relationships
Every institution thrives on relationships therefore, it is essential to constantly build relationships to survive. In order to survive, an organisation must build healthy relationships within and outside the organisation. These relationships will play a major role in achieving organisational goals. Relationships are built through communication, communication reveals an employee’s likes, dislikes, work ethics, background and their person as a whole. This will determine what and how they are communicated with and to which extent. Communication also reveals the intentions of an employee. All this information can foster a relationship amongst employees which best suit their characters. Peer motivation is also known to be one of the most effective forms of motivation.
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Effective top-down relations
In an organisation, communication flows in various directions, top-down, bottom-up and vertically. Communication is the tool with which top management relays instructions to the subordinates. Good communication in this chain is key so as to not come off as condescending, rude and just so subordinates understand your wishes. This form of communication is called communication because messages are not close-ended, they allow feedback. If good communication of this flow is practised well, employees will feel part of the conversation.
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Effective bottom-up relations
Good communication will allow bottom-up communication. In this communication process, the message flows from lower management staff to higher management staff. It is important for higher management to open up to messages from subordinates because this will help them understand work experience in their position. As much as an organisation belongs to someone or a group of people, the subordinates make up the organisation, therefore, it is essential to provide a good working environment and the required resources for them to carry out their daily duties. Messages from lower level management could reveal a lack of motivation, displeasure, need for change or a new solution. Communication is a two-way process and both parties must be involved in the communication process.
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Avoid conflict
The absence of communication is the presence of misunderstanding and as everyone should know, misunderstandings lead to conflict. It is important to communicate in an organization because understanding is the key to the success of any organisation. Continuous conflict will crash the organisation, there will be zero productivity, no motivation, the organisation will not prosper. This would all eventually lead to the loss of money, time, effort, reputation etc.
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Decision making
To make decisions in an organisation, numerous stakeholders must discuss. In order to discuss communication must take place. In exchanging ideas and understanding various factors that must be considered before making a decision, communication takes place. This will enable the organisation to make the right decision in achieving company goals. Also, when a decision is made, the decision is communicated to all stakeholders and shareholders of the organisation. It is key to not take all parties in an organisation by surprise, as it will make the organisation look disorganised.
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Branding
Every organisation has a brand image and this image is communicated in numerous ways. A brand is also built through communication. An organization communicates its brand through logos, colours, mission, vision, operational style, staff, owners, campaigns and other marketing strategies. A good brand image will attract customers and investors. It will also place the organisation ahead or at par with its competition.
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Altering individual’s attitude
Communication also plays a crucial role in altering individual’s attitudes. For instance, a well-informed individual will show a better attitude than a less-informed individual towards their work and the organisation. Organisational communication can be achieved through magazines, journals, meetings and various other forms of oral and written communication help in moulding employee’s attitudes. A good attitude is essential for the growth and productivity of any organisation.
