Communication

Type of communication Network

1. Vertical  Network

• It is usually between the superior and subordinates and vice versa
• It is two way communication
• It is formal network 

2. Circle Networks

• Each person communicate with others
• It is similar to vertical networks but in a circle network

3.Wheel (Star) networks

• all subordinates receive commands from one superior
• It is highly centralize type of communication
• Wants the immediate feedback. 

4. Completely connected Networks (All-channel)

All channel network permits all group members to actively communicate with each other. It is the most decentralized pattern. Everyone participates equally, and the group’s leader, if there is one, is not likely to have excessive power.

There are various types of communication, some of which have been described here.

FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNICATION

Formal communication is designed and operated by the organization. It is legally and officially acceptable form of communication. Organizations encourage and expect formal communication from their employees. There are variations in formal communication.

(1) Vertical communication

Vertical communication flows up and down the organizations usually along formal reporting lines. Two-way communication is recommended.

Upward communication

It is a type of vertical communication when messages flow from subordinates to superiors usually to their immediate superiors and this may go up further, e.g. requests, suggestions, complaints, feedback, feedback of progress towards goals, relaying current problems. At times, there is likelihood of distortions in upward communication, i.e. subordinates might withhold or distort information if they have some vested interest.

Downward communication

It is communication that flows from superior to subordinates in the hierarchy, e.g. directives & job instruction, assignment of new responsibilities, performance feedback, etc.

Two way communication

When communication takes place both ways, i.e. from top to bottom and from bottom to top, it is called two-way communication. Two-way communication is desirable and effective.

2) Horizontal /Lateral communication

• When communication takes place among organizational members of the same level, i.e. colleagues, peers of the same department or different departments or divisions, it is horizontal communication. For example, an operation manger communicates marketing manager.
• It occurs more among managers than among non-managers.
• Why? It facilitates coordination among interdependent units and saves time by means of gang plank. But this might have negative consequences in the form of bypassing superiors.
• It plays a major role in work team with members drawn from several departments.

3) Diagonal communication

It is the communication between employees between employees who are neither in the same department nor at the same level. For example, a marketing manager communicates with the accountant (of account department). Here, the communicator belongs to marketing department and communicatee belongs to account department. Besides, marketing manager’s rank is higher that the accountant’s rank.

 “Informal network is usually better known as grapevine, is free to move in any direction, skip authority levels, and is likely to satisfy group members’ social needs as it is to facilitate task accomplishments.”           -Stephen P. Robbins

• “The grapevine is an informal communication network among people in organization”.
• Grapevine is an important part of any group or organization’s communication network. The importance of grapevine as a source of information is evident by a recent survey that about 75% of employees hear about matters first through rumors on the grapevine. Interestingly, about 75-95% of the information passing through the grapevine is accurate. Most employees perceive it as more believable & reliable than formal communiqués issued by top management.
• Management cannot control grapevine. Rumors and gossips are examples of grapevine communication, which cannot be entirely eliminated by management but can be managed/exploited for the benefit of the organization. For this, the manager should identify the important people in the grapevine, who can spread good news. They can be important source of valuable information/feedback, which can be used to improve the situation.

INTERPERSONAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICTION

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

It is the communication between two or more persons. It can be oral or written.

(1) Oral communication

“Oral communication consists of face to face conversation, group discussion, telephone calls, and other circumstances in which the spoken word is used to transmit meaning.”

(2) Written communication

“Written communication consists of memos, letters, reports, notes, and other circumstances in which the written words and/or sentences are used to transmit meaning.”

Choosing the right form: oral vs. written

No form is best. It is rather situational. Hence, it is recommended to combine both forms of communication to be effective.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

“Non-verbal communication involves messages conveyed through body movements, the intonations or emphasis we give to words, facial expressions, and the physical distance between the sender and receiver.” -Stephen P. Robbins (2001)

“Non-verbal communication is any communication exchange that does not use words or that uses words to carry more meaning than the strict definition of the words themselves.”               

-Ricky W. Griffin (2000)

Followings are the types of non-verbal communication.

1) Body language

• Body language is expressed through body motions (gesture) and facial expressions. It consists of body & arm movement, mode of dress, facial expression, and gestures. It is a significant part of any face-to-face communication.

• Body language differs between cultures. For example, in US, standing very close to someone while talking, signals whether familiarity, sexual interest or aggression. Prolonged eye contact means either hostility or romantic interest. Lifting eyebrow means disbelief. Shrugging shoulders means indifference. Tapping fingers means impatience. Slapping forehead implies forgetfulness.

2) Paralinguistic

Paralinguistic describes the non-verbal aspects of communication that encompass tone of voice, pacing, pitch and similar aspects that go beyond the spoken words. The meaning of these uttered words is often other than they appear. So, watch out who has spoken, how it has been spoken, etc. For example, when the boss says, “you are free to talk about the raise you have been seeking” may mean that it is not the time to discuss the subject. Regardless of what is being said, an individual who frequently glances at her wristwatch is giving the message that he would prefer to terminate the conversation.

3) Setting

Physical settings non-verbally communicate so many things sometimes more strongly than verbal communication. Setting includes size & location of an office, the kinds of furniture in the office, accessibility of the person in the office, position of his desk between him & visitor, or no desk in between him & visitor. All of these settings communicate some important messages.