Companies of all sizes rely on the free exchange of information to drive success. While individual coworkers and managers collaborate verbally and in writing, organizations must also communicate with their employees and stakeholders. The term for this is organizational communication, and an in-depth understanding of its role in business can help you become a stronger leader.
In the online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Organizational Leadership program at Arkansas State University (A-State), students explore organizational communication, among other essential leadership topics. This guide explores what organizational communication is, outlines strategies for improvement and highlights the benefits of strengthening communication across teams. You’ll also learn how A-State’s flexible, affordable online program equips you to lead effective communication initiatives within any organization.
What Is Organizational Communication?
Organizational communication is the process by which an organization relays information internally and externally. It ensures that managers and their teams understand the company’s short- and long-term strategic goals, overall mission and core values.
Although both rely on verbal and oral exchanges of information, organizational communication differs from everyday workplace communication. Organizational communication occurs when the company communicates with employees, both directly and through its leadership team. By comparison, workplace communication is when managers and coworkers share personal feedback, ideas and concerns with each other.
Strong organizational communication aligns employees across departments and divisions, while also promoting a positive image to customers, investors and the public. Due to its significance in business, organizational communication is a topic extensively explored in many undergraduate and graduate business programs.
What Are Some Examples of Organizational Communication?
Real-world examples can help you better understand the basics of organizational communication. Some common forms of organizational communication include:
- Team briefings: Informal huddles and formal staff meetings allow managers to share important updates about an organization’s initiatives, goals and performance.
- Employee handbooks: These written guides outline the details of an organization’s policies and procedures, ensuring that all employees can access them.
- Performance reviews: Typically prepared by a direct supervisor, they provide written feedback on an employee’s performance.
- Internal newsletters: Organizations spread the word about success stories, upcoming events, new initiatives, and other news through print and digital newsletters.
- Annual reports: Through these in-depth written reports, organizations inform investors, stakeholders, and the public about financial performance and strategic visions.
- Town halls: Held in person or digitally, these events provide employees with the opportunity to ask members of the leadership team questions and receive answers in real-time.
What Are the Strategies for Effective Organizational Communication?
Becoming effective at organizational communication is a process. It begins with organizations committing to improving the way leadership shares information. Then, companies can identify and implement strategies to enhance organizational communication. Such strategies may include the following.
Establish Clear Channels and Procedures
Determine how your organization will distribute information internally and externally. These channels may include internal websites, newsletters, press releases, policy manuals, annual reports and social media feeds.
Once you have a clear picture of your preferred channels of communication, develop procedures for each. Assign responsibility for each channel to the appropriate role within your organization. Identify the types of information you will share and the specific channels through which you will share them. Then, establish the specific steps for distributing information through the designated channels.
Encourage Open Feedback Culture
Successful leadership typically involves a regular, open exchange of feedback. In fact, Gallup polling suggests that employees are 3.6 times more likely to agree that they feel motivated to produce outstanding work when they receive feedback daily rather than annually.
In addition to producing gains in employee engagement, an open feedback culture can bolster organizational communications. Daily feedback sessions provide leaders with additional opportunities to share organizational messaging that aligns with core values and strategic vision. Additionally, open two-way communication gives employees the confidence to ask questions and gain a comprehensive understanding of all shared organizational information.
Use Technology for Seamless Collaboration
Technology can greatly simplify organizational communication. Internal messaging tools, such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, allow for the instant transmission of information company-wide or to specific departments.
Video and voice communication platforms, such as Zoom and Google Meet, facilitate information sharing between teams in different geographic areas, as well as between remote and in-office employees. Your organization can also create in-depth reference guides and paperless policy manuals with Notion, Confluence and similar programs.
Adapt Messaging to Audience and Situation
Organizational communication is most effective when tailored to the intended audience. For example, choose a more informal tone when addressing your team and a formal one when speaking to a group of investors.
Also, consider the situation when adapting your message, selecting a style that suits its content. For instance, using more lively and inspiring language is more suitable for discussing strategic visions with your team than for crafting a press release to share negative news with the public.
What Are the Benefits of Strong Organizational Communication?
Just as interpersonal communication skills are advantageous soft skills for leaders, strong organizational communication benefits businesses in several ways. Over time, sharing information about strategy often fosters transparency between companies and their employees and investors, which can, in turn, build trust.
Clear communication provides managers at all levels with a deeper understanding of strategic goals and organizational priorities. Consequently, they can base decisions on what matters most. As managers make more informed decisions routinely, organizations can achieve gains in efficiency and productivity.
When everyone in an organization receives the same clear, consistent messaging, misalignment between teams is less likely to occur. Additionally, effective organizational communication reduces the risks of misunderstandings that can lead to workplace conflicts. Encouraging information sharing between teams and departments also breaks down silos, ensuring that everyone has access to key data. As a result, employees may find it easier to collaborate.
Master Organizational Communication Best Practices for Your Professional Development
Organizational communication is a key part of business. Understanding the best practices that lead to strong internal and external business communications can help prepare you for a variety of management roles, including HR manager, operations manager and general manager.
Communication skills are one of the in-demand skills that the online B.A. in Organizational Leadership degree from A-State can help you sharpen. Explore more details and apply today to A-State’s online B.A. in Organizational Leadership program to take the next step in your professional development.