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Chapter 5
Organizational
Communication
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and Power

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 Introducti
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"No one is an island.”

One of the main characteristics of behavior in

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organizations is that it involves the
interrelationships between people.

Two key aspects of interpersonal relations on the

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job: Communication and Power
The Basic Nature of
Communication

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For an organization to function, individuals and
groups must carefully coordinate their efforts and
activities.

Communication

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- is the key to these attempts at coordination.
- “the social glue that continues to keep

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organizations tied together”
- “the essence of organizations”
The Communication Process
and Its Role in Organizations

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Communication is the process by which a person,
group, or organization (the sender) transmits

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some type of information (the message) to
another person, group, or organization (the
receiver).

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 Oral and Written
Communication: The Power of

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Words
Communication
is a broad field that covers many different means of
spreading and transferring messages. There are many

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forms of communication that focus on a specific means
or aspect of communication.

Two common forms that are often compared are:

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- Oral communication
- Written communication
 Oral and Written
Communication: The Power of

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Words
Oral Communication

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involves transmitting and receiving ideas using
words. It can be oral, using spoken language like face-
to-face talks and telephone conversations.

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 Oral and Written
Communication: The Power of

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Words
Written communication

is often best expressed when the message is routine

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and impersonal.
refers to the type of communication that uses the
written word.
offers the advantage of providing a permanent

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record of the message, it inhibits immediate feedback
because the two parties are not in direct contact.
 The Information Richness of
Communication Media
Communication
media
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may be
characterized along a
continuum ranging from
highly rich, interactive

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media such as
telephone and face-to-
face discussions to lean,
static media such as
The Effectiveness of Oral
Communication and Written

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Communication
Oral communication
- is effective because it involves carefully chosen words
along with non-verbal gestures, movements, tone

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changes and visual cues that keep the audience
captivated.

Written communication

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- is precise because words are chosen by the writer with
great care.
Formal and Informal
Communication

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To gain competitive edge, tools that can be used
by an organization are formal and informal

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communication. By effectively leveraging these
communication channels, companies can
differentiate themselves from competitors and
achieve success (Saleem, 2015).

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Formal Communication: Message
Directed Through Organizational
Structure

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Organizations are often described in ways that
dictate who may and may not communicate with whom.
The formally prescribed pattern of interrelationships

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existing between the various units of an organization is
referred to as organizational structure.

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The Organizational Chart: A
Summary of Formal
Communication Paths

Than When looking at an

organization chart
you immediately

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notice several boxes
connected by lines.
Each box represents
a particular job, as

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indicated by the job
titles noted
Downward Communication
Downward communication consists of instructions,

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directions, and orders—generally, messages that tell
subordinates what they should be doing.

Upward Communication

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When information flows from lower levels to higher
levels within an organization, such as messages from
subordinates to their supervisors, it is known as upward

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communication.
Horizontal Communication

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Horizontal communication is the term used to identify
messages that flow laterally, at the same organizational
level.

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 Informal Communication: Beyond
the Organization Chart

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It's probably obvious that a great deal of communication

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in organizations goes far beyond sending formal
messages up, down, or across organization charts.

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 Characterizing Informal
Organizational Communication

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Informal Organizational Communication system

Grapevine
RUMOURS (Negative and Positive)

Communication. k
Rumors: The Downside of Informal

The information communicated along the grapevine

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may be accurate in some respects, it may be inaccurate
in others.
 Strategies for Improving
Organization Communication

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Encourage Open Feedback.
360-degree feedback
Formal systems in which people at all levels give
feedback to others at different levels and receive

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feedback from them, as well as outsiders—including
customers and suppliers.

Suggestion systems

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Programs that invite employees to submit ideas about
how something may be improved. Employees are
generally rewarded when their ideas are implemented.
 Strategies for Improving
Organization Communication

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Encourage Open Feedback.

Corporate hotline
Telephone lines staffed by corporate officials ready to

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answer questions and listen to comments. These are
particularly useful during times when employees are
likely to be full of questions because their organizations
are undergoing change.

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 Strategies for Improving
Organization Communication

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• Use Simple Language: Avoid jargon and use clear,
concise language that everyone can understand.

• Avoid Overload: Don't overwhelm people with too

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much information at once.

• Rely on Gatekeepers: Use assistants or other

designated individuals to manage the flow of

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information to prevent overload.
 Strategies for Improving
Organization Communication

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• Practice Queuing: Organize information and tasks in
a way that allows for efficient processing.

• Walk the Talk: Be consistent in your words and

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actions to build trust and credibility.

• Be a Good Listener: Develop active listening skills

to fully understand and engage with others.

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 Influence That Comes With The
Office: Position Power

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Able to influence others because of the formal power
associated with their jobs.

There are four bases of Position power:

Legitimate power
Reward power
Coercive power
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Information power.
Influence That Comes From The
Individual: Personal Power

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People also derive power from their own unique
qualities or characteristics.

There are four sources of Personal power:

Expert power
Referent power
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Rational persuasion

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Charisma.
 Conclusio
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In conclusion, practicing managers need to realize that
because power differences are basic to organizations,
attempts to gain power advantages through political
maneuvers are to be expected. However, a critical of any

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manager’s job is to redirect these political activities away
from any threats to the organization. Although it may be
unrealistic to expect to totally eliminate political dirty tricks,
the suggestions offered here should provide some useful

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guidelines for minimizing their impact.
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