Topic 2 Internal communication
The performance of the main managerial functions (Planning, Organization, Staffing, Management and Control) requires effective communication.
A good manager must be able to recognize the importance that the employee or collaborator has for the success of the company. in fact, their satisfaction affects their productivity.
The manager, therefore, has an important role, namely that of creating a healthy work environment, through:
- building and managing relationships,
- the involvement of employees in the development of projects, in order to make them participate and motivated (engagement),
- recognition of the work done
- and becoming a true mentor to them.
It therefore becomes important to know:
- the main communication flows within an organization: Downward, upward, Lateral / Horizontal, Diagonal (see next slide)
- and the distinction between formal and non-formal communication.
The main communication flows within an organization
Downward communication – from top to bottom along the chain of command, used to provide instruction, feedback on employee activity, a greater understanding of the company’s work and goals, vision and mission.
Upward communication, from employees to superiors. The latter are informed of the progress of the work, of the results, of any problems on the part of their subordinates. This communication can also be used to acquire new ideas or proposals from below.
Horizontal / lateral communication or communication between peers, or communication between subjects belonging to the same hierarchical level. It is a communication aimed at encouraging coordination and cooperation in the pursuit of a specific goal or simply in solving a problem.
Diagonal communication takes place between a manager of a specific area and employees of other groups.
According to Welch, Jackson (2007) internal communication is seen “as the strategic management of interactions and relationships between stakeholders within organisations across a number of interrelated dimensions including, internal line manager communication, internal team peer communication, internal project peer communication and internal corporate communication”.
Source: “Welch, Jackson (2007)”