Key Assignment Outline

Running head: COMMUNICATION 1

COMMUNICATION 4

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Communication

There are various types of communication. The first one is verbal/oral communication which involves conveying messages through the word of mouth, for example, through phone calls, face to face meetings etc. Another one is interpersonal/non-verbal communication that involves passing down messages through the use of gestures and other body language. In most organizations, it is a requirement that employees must have interpersonal/non-verbal skills. The next one is written communication which is manifested in various ways; through the internet, smartphones, emails etc. Written communication is either informal or formal. On the basis of formality, two communication types emerge, that is, informal and formal. Formal communication can be manifested in terms of letterheads, emails, reports, memos etc. Informal communication is used where formality is not necessary (Bhasin, 2018). The last one is visual communication which contain certain elements including; colors, advertising, design, animations, presentations etc.

There are different barriers to communication. The use of technical, over-complicated and unfamiliar terms (jargons) hinder effective communication. Again, physical disabilities like speech and hearing difficulties hinders communication. Language differences as well as difficulty in comprehending unfamiliar accents are other barriers. Furthermore, prejudices and expectations result to stereotyping or false assumptions thereby barring effective communication. Lack of interest, attention, irrelevance and distractions also create communication barriers. Finally, inability to understand non-verbal cues, overall body language and posture could render non-verbal communication ineffective.

Good communication promotes strong relationships; loyalty and trust are key components of any relationship and are both enhanced by communication which is focused on satisfying individual needs, passing down crucial information as well as providing timely feedback in a constructive and positive manner. Transparency and clarity in communication come in handy while building trust within an organization. Again, where the leadership engages or involves the employees by the use of effective communication, the former is able to win the trust of the latter. Good communication with organizational stakeholders also builds trust which is necessary for external business interactions (Burns, 2018).

Electronic communication facilitates organizational communication. First of all, electronic communication allows organizational members to be geographically dispersed and the need of maintaining physical contact is eliminated. Use of emails, chats, discussion boards, facsimile and telephone communications have chiefly contributed to the elimination of space and time in communication. Secondly, with electronic communication comes mobility; portable laptops and smartphones have enabled co-workers to communicate effectively and efficiently with the ability to work from home. Thirdly, electronic communication has enhanced convenience and speed of communication within organizations. Besides the increased speed, mailed or fax documents can be securely stored online and retrieved conveniently without any losses (Burns, 2018). Although electronic communication is vulnerable to cyberattacks, it is still possible to protect it against such security threats by installing security software or firewall thereby protecting against hackers and virus.

References Bhasin, H. (2018). Five Types of Communication. Retrieved from https://www.marketing91.com/five-types-of-communication/. Burns, E. (2018). Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Communication. Retrieved from https://www.techwalla.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-electronic-communication.