COMMUNICATION
Effective Communication Networks For Organizational Success
By Anthony Taiti
In order for organizations to achieve success through effective communication , there needs to be a network that fosters healthy interaction and information sharing among employees .
To better understand what a communication network is , let us explore a few contexts .
The CEO sends an email to all employees informing them that the deputy CEO has been fired with immediate effect . That is a downward communication network . The PR Manager writes to the IT Manager , informing them that the CEO will be holding a press conference and that they are required to be present as well as provide a projector . That is a horizontal or lateral communication network . The Marketing Officer notifies the Marketing Manager that they have been invited to pitch to a potential client . That is an upward communication network .
How critical is it for an organization to have robust communication networks ? Consider the following : You are a manager at your company . You leave your office to grab a cup of coffee and some fresh air , and as you walk down the hallway , you hear jubilant noises and hysterical laughter coming from one of the offices .
Out of curiosity , you take slow but steady steps to find out what is going on , and you are greeted by the cheerful faces of colleagues who , upon your inquiry , are celebrating news that the organization has won a top-dollar tender to provide a specific service . You feel lost and confused because this is the first time you ’ ve heard about it .
As you walk away , you become lost in thought and feel betrayed because , in your opinion , the department ’ s manager should have informed you about it . Worse , as you sip your cappuccino and converse with another manager , you discover that they were aware of the entire tender-bidding process . You feel betrayed , to the extent that your coffee loses its flavour . There ’ s a high likelihood that many of us have experienced this on one or two occasions .
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In a world where information is regarded as a critical conveyor belt for achieving organizational goals , a workforce working in silos is a ticking time bomb that must be stopped with urgency by any means necessary . Employees , regardless of their ranks , should always stay informed about important organizational developments .
Strong communication networks promote an effective flow of communication in an organization , which is incredibly powerful as it fosters great interpersonal relationships and helps to build trust and cohesion within the organization .
Employees who are constantly informed about what is going on have a strong sense of belonging and will go above and beyond to help the organization succeed . On the other hand , when they are frequently caught off guard about things they should have known , they feel left out , and , as a result , they only give the bare minimum in their roles going forward .
According to pumble . com ( 2021 ), teams with effective workplace communication networks may experience productivity gains of up to 25 %. The reverse is also true . Research conducted by a US firm , Garter , shows that weak communication networks are responsible for 70 % of complex organizational problems .
Elsewhere , according to ApolloTechnical ( apollotechnical . com ), 86 % of employees and executives attribute workplace failures to a lack of effective communication and collaboration . These are mind-boggling statistics that should make your toes curl if your organization does not have functional communication networks .
Any leader worth their salt understands and appreciates that having strong and active communication networks is critical to the successful implementation of their organization ’ s mission and the achievement of its vision . Aaron Goldman , the Managing Director of General Atlantic ( NY ), said , “ communicate unto the other person that which you would want him to communicate
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