Managerial Communication | Basic elements of Communication

Communication forms the basis of any organizational structure. A manager cannot get the work done through the employees unless he is sure of some basic facts, viz., that the workers are to be communicated of what he wants to be done. He has to decide how it is to be communicated, and what results can be expected from the communication.

The relationship between these issues and the managerial communication are given below

Managerial Communication and Its consequences

1. What to communicate? : Factual Information, Information about Opinions and Attitudes.

2. How to communicate? : Verbally (oral or written), Non-verbally.

3. What to expect? : Compliance Behavior, Changed Behavior.

Communication is the base for any management

Communication forms a basis for management by objectives, long-range strategic goal setting and policy formulation, strategic planning, organization development and organization effectiveness, control, decision-making and allied managerial activities aimed at effective achievement of organizational goals.

Communication refers to the sharing of ideas, facts, opinions, information and understanding. Prof. Das Gupta is of the view that

“To communicate is to inform, to tell, to show or to spread information. Whatever its etymological meaning, from the managerial point of view, communication is the means by which a management gets its job done. It can affect both the morale and efficiency of employees. Communication is a skill of management.” 

Dr. McFarland views communication as

“a process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specially, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached among human being.”

Basic Elements of Communication

The key elements of communication are

I. It is a process, which exists as a flow through a sequence or series of steps. These steps include the generation of an idea putting it into some logical sequence, transmitting it through some media; and its reception by someone at the other end; his understanding of the message sent and his acting upon the message received.

2. Communication involves that information not only be transmitted but also understood. If information has been transmitted and not received or received but not accurately interpreted, then miscommunication occurs.

3. The third element is that information senders (encoders) and receivers (decoders) are either human (animate) or non-human (inanimate) objects. It should, however, be remembered that communication is a broad field of human interchange of facts and opinions and not the technologies of the telephone, the radio and the like.”

4. There must be some channel or medium through which information or understanding could be transmitted: Transmission may be done by word of mouth, by written material, pictures, body language, etc.

5. Communication may consist of three interlocking circuits transmitting information: It may be upward in regard to knowing the effectiveness of orders, ideas, comments, actions, reactions, attitudes, reports, complaints, and grievances from the lowest level; downward may flow instructions, directions, clarifications, interpretations, of rules, regulations, orders, policies and procedures; and intra-scalar or cross contact, where information may be exchanged between two departmental heads or two or more persons who are of equal status.