Effective communication

Language & communication

      

        Modern organizations are complex social systems. This complexity calls for proper communication within the system. No social system functions effectively without meaningful interaction among it is participants. Thus communication serves as a means to link organizational participants. This article deals with various aspects of good communication.

Definitions of communication

        The term 'communication' is freely used by behavioral theorists, management scholars and the general Public. While the communication discipline has been varyingly defined over the years, recently, several definitions have been recognized and adopted to understand the meaning of communication. Read the definition that are given below which will help you understand the concept of communication.

• Newman and summer define communication as "an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons."
  
• Bellows Gilson and Odirone define communication as "a communication by words, letters, symbols, or messages, and as a way that one organization member shares meaning with the other."
  
• According to Hoben, "Communication is the verbal interchange of thought or idea."
  
• Anderson says, "Communication is the process, by which we understand others and in turn endeavor to be understood by them. it is dynamic, constantly changing and shifting in response to the total situation."
  
• Communication is “a process involving the selection, production, and transmission of signs in such a way as to help a receiver perceive a meaning similar to that in the mind of the communicator.” – Fotheringham

Function & purpose of communication

               Chester/ Barnard studied the communication process in organizations. He observed that communication linked people together in an organization to achieve a common purpose. In other words, communication aims at making people work together for the common good of the organization. Communication links people who believe in a common cause, together with a view to strengthen relationships. For example, Gandhigi’s messages brought all freedom fighters together. His messages linked him with other freedom fighters.

Communication serves the following purposes in an organization:

Ø  Helps establish and disseminate the goals of an organization.

Ø  Facilitates the development of plans for the achievement of goals.

Ø  Helps managers utilize manpower and other resources in the most effective and efficient manner.

Ø  Helps managers select, develop, and apprise the members of their organization.

Ø  Helps managers lead, direct and motivate employees and thereby create a climate in which everyone is willing to contribute.

Ø  Facilitates control and evaluation of performance.

Types of communication

               Can you think of some ways to communicate with your friends?

Surely, you can. You can talk to your friend or write letters to him. When you talk or write, you are using words to communicate. This is one type of communication. But is there any other way in which we communicate with other people?

Let us look at some of the ways in which we normally communicate with others, to understand different types of communication, their advantages and limitations.