The Role of Organizational Communication

Communication forms an integral aspect of organizational activity (DeVito, 2007). The scope of organizational communication pertains to enhancing of effectiveness such that its processes can be more productive in nature. Communication might be verbal or non-verbal in nature. While verbal communication is an important aspect non-verbal mode of communication is equally important. Verbal communication includes written, oral and other speech forms of communications, whereas non-verbal communication includes body language and other expressed communication modes and methods. The scope of discussion of this essay pertains to analyzing effectiveness of non-verbal communication being more important than verbal communication skills in the workplace (Haykin, 2008). The main aim of communication processes is to develop its effectiveness in every possible ways and manner. 

Organizational communication takes place in workplace according to its prevailing cultures; hence verbal as well as non-verbal communications is important (Steinberg, 2007). Effective communication within organizations is important as well as critical for productivity and achievement of organizational goals (Shockley-Zalabak, 2011). Verbal as well as non-verbal communications help to interact and provide details regarding work details and performance targets within the framework of organizational culture. Hence, employees need to have a thorough understanding of the concept of verbal as well as non-verbal communications for positive relationship with the organization.

Verbal communication includes all words that are either spoken or written or signed hence it encompasses ability to provide ideas in a particular language (Arnold, 2015). Thus, verbal communications includes organized word systems for transferring of message from one person to other. Thus, in verbal communications there might be barriers but they can easily be overcome as and when it is detected so. With scope of technological advancement the field of verbal communications has further been enhanced. Verbal communication is an integral part of organizational communication as it helps provide interpretation and correction when required (Carey, 2008). It is easier to provide and transfer ideas by means of verbal communications and it also can be corrected in case required. The scope of non-verbal communications exists parallel to verbal communications and can affect perception of people in a number of ways. The domain of non-verbal communications includes body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture or eye contact, touch and so on. The tone of voice in which communication is made also includes non-verbal communications, handshake, hug, clothing, living and communication space and various other means as well as methods (Knapp, 2014). Cultural norms have a high predisposition towards nonverbal communications. Hence, every culture has their appropriateness when it comes to non-verbal communications at workplace as in USA it is considered important to maintain eye contact while speaking. The effectiveness of nonverbal communication methods is hard-wired onto us hence it becomes integral to have a positive type.                

Verbal Communication: Definition and Importance

Verbal communication involves learning a language skills and presenting it in right form and format. Verbal communication skills is generally taught and imparted since birth. All forms of education imparts various skills that help enhance verbal communication, hence nonverbal communications remains ignored. Verbal communication does not have any role in personality and scope of writing hence can easily e enhanced. However, as humans have greater skills that pertain to understanding cues regarding emotions and expressions nonverbal skills becomes important. Researchers often lay stress and focus on verbal communication rules and cues as against nonverbal methods. The key aspects that anon-verbal communications caters to are emotions, expressions, interpersonal relationships, and verbal interactions, reflection of personality and to perform rituals as hello, goodbye and so on. Edward G. Wertheim in his research paper explains that non-verbal communications is as effective as verbal communication skills as they both interact with each other (Welch, 2007). Through non-verbal communications in workplace it is possible to get cues of expressions and vocal inflections. Within the purview of an organization once non-verbal communication is emphasized productivity and performance is bound to improve. Leaders and managers aim to influence their followers by means of non-verbal communications; hence they make use of non-verbal communication to transfer their ideas in workplace. It has been estimated that an individual spends 74% time of their lives communicating from which around 81% is non-verbal in nature. Silence is also an integral non-verbal communication cue that expresses intentions (Broadbent, 2013). It has been assumed that non-verbal communications cannot be faked and environmental factors can also be accounted for non-verbal communications within workplace.  As non-verbal communication is impactful compared to verbal communications it has gained tremendous importance in workplace.        

The intrinsic nature of non-verbal communications can further be evaluated as it compliments verbal communications and with proper analysis can help provide important ideas (Conrad, 2012). Efficiency of non-verbal communications can further be highlighted in interviews as well as in business conducts. As many stakeholders within organizations as leaders and managers need to communicate on regular basis there non-verbal communication plays an important role. Non-verbal communications help emphasize understanding related to a particular message. Hence, impacts of non-verbal communications are repetition, contradiction, substitutions, complementing, accenting and so on (McQuail, 2015). The five most important areas for non-verbal communications include repetition as non-verbal communication signs puts emphasis on enforcing on things already said by means of verbal communications. Non-verbal communication can either contradict or support signals that are made for things already said. It is easier to diagnose any type of contradictions in non-verbal communications rather than in verbal communications. Often non-verbal communication is made to substitute verbal communications at workplace (Petty, 2012). As non-verbal communications works completing ways of verbal communications they form important part in any organizational communication effectiveness.

Non-Verbal Communication

Managers and leaders can effectively make use of verbal as well as non-verbal communications in their day to day activities to enhance employee performance. Employees can use it a means to convince their customers and other relevant stakeholders. Organizational culture can be impacted by way of effective non-verbal communications. There are multi-faceted role of non-verbal communications in workplace and all performs hand to hand to increase the overall effectiveness of organizations. Non-verbal communications can also help increase employee satisfaction levels at workplace. As humans have this integral role of non-verbal communications which they interpret by way of emotions and other intrinsic values of cultural predisposition. In case used effectively non-verbal communications can help attain high levels of employee engagement and employee motivation. As Peter F. Drucker identified that the most important form of communication is non-verbal communication. There are various ways that nonverbal communication can be improvised to create a positive impact, while only 31% of our communication is verbal in nature. Hence, the above analysis and description regarding nonverbal communication entails that an individual needs to have control over their skills of nonverbal communication. Verbal communication includes mastering art of a language or techniques but nonverbal communications involves much more beyond that. Organizations in order to maintain positive communication internally and along with its external stakeholders has to train and gain effectiveness inn nonverbal communication skills as well. Such skills not only help improvise organizational productivity but also effectiveness while responding to customer groups.

Recommendation and Conclusion

In order to enhance effective non-verbal communications in workplace managers and leaders can adopt various strategies. Post evaluation of effectiveness of non-verbal communications it can be understood that it is important as well as verbal communications. Thus, the following recommendations can help improvise non-verbal effectiveness in workplace.

• Include relevant training and evaluation methods that can assess needs of employees in the field of non-verbal communications. As employees forms an integral stakeholder for the Company, training them to meet the needs of the organization for internal interactions as external interactions is integral. For such cases proper and adequate guidance needs to be provided such that they do not convey any negative message regarding the organization.   
• Provide proper guidance regarding effectiveness of non-verbal communications. Employees need to be convinced that non-verbal communications has an integral role along with verbal communications. A leader or manager has to provide effective guidance such that employees can perform well within the organization culture and express thoughts and messages clearly.
• As verbal and non-verbal communications are often coupled, the proper gesture for a particular message and whereabouts needs to be clearly indicated.

References Lists

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Carey, J. 2008. Communication as culture, revised edition: Essays on media and society. Routledge.

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DeVito, J. A. 2007. Interpersonal Communication Book. The, 13/E. New York, NY: Pearson International. 

Haykin, S. 2008. Communication systems. . John Wiley & Sons.

Knapp, M. L. 2014. Interpersonal Communication & Human Relationships. Pearson Higher Ed.

McQuail, D. &. 2015. Communication models for the study of mass communications. Routledge.

Petty, R. &. 2012. Communication and persuasion: Central and peripheral routes to attitude change. . Springer Science & Business Media.

Shockley-Zalabak, P. 2011. Fundamentals of organizational communication. Allyn & Bacon.

Steinberg, S. 2007. An introduction to communication studies. Juta and Company Ltd. 

Welch, M. &. 2007. Rethinking internal communication: a stakeholder approach. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 177-198.