The dictionary definition of informal communication refers to unofficial or casual communication between team members, or between worker and employer. Informal communication avoids the usual office channels, which tend to be organised, formal, and planned out in detail. On the other hand, formal communication utilises company policies, rules, government regulations and the chain of
command, such as supervisor to manager. One key characteristic of informal communication is the uncertainty surrounding the channel of communication, and the wooliness governing when the communication began and ended. Colloquially, this is referred to as ‘hearing something on the grapevine’ and is an expression we all use. Any workplace will have its social circles, and co-workers are known to discuss things online, over the phone, and at the water cooler. These relationships form
outside of the workplace and help to blur the line between business relationships and personal relationships. The office ‘grapevine’ as it’s known, is a form of communication that we are all familiar with, so it works well with all types of people. The phrase comes from the American Civil War days, where telegraph wires were strung through trees in a way that made them look like a grapevine. Sharing information through the grapevine communication is social, personal, and unofficial.
However, don’t discredit it as a means of business communication. Telegraph grapevine messages were often confusing, disorganised, and incorrect, but a lot of this was down to technology and sound quality. You won’t have this problem with your office grapevine! One form of communication that will always be a part of your business is informal communication between your workers and senior staff. The only approach to take here is to find ways of managing it, at minimum, or better yet, find ways to use your office grapevine for business communication. Informal communication can sometimes be more efficient and quicker than formal communication. Used in conjunction with official channels, the grapevine can supplement and enhance your formal business communications. Some examples of informal communication include:
Informal communication occurs whether you like it or not, but you can utilise it for your own means, and, as a form of communication between co-workers and managers, it’s completely free. It will also support your usual formal channels of communication and the grapevine tends to get the word around much quicker, too. With different levels of informal communication flows, it can seem overwhelming, trying to figure out how to use the grapevine to the best effect. However, we take you through all the major types below. In any work environment, people spend a lot of time working alongside each other. These co-workers are likely to form long-lasting relationships and chat about things revolving around both work, and their personal lives. It is understandable that this grapevine connection between your
employees could spell disaster. However, the first step to preventing a catastrophe is understanding your grapevine and learning how best to manage it. Promoting social connections between your employees is beneficial because you can then use your grapevine to quickly share information throughout your workforce. It also allows you to track clusters, centres of flowers, and other key personnel who tend to be at the heart of any informal communication spreading
rapidly. All the types of informal communication can be utilised for business communications, and with your regular formal communications running alongside, the information you need to communicate will reach your workers’ ears quickly. There are many advantages of informal
communication, such as: Just as there are benefits
to informal communication, there are also disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages to informal communication include: You can utilise informal communication by using it in conjunction with your formal channels of communication. It helps to understand the patterns that informal communication travels through, so teaching yourself the types of informal
communication mentioned earlier on will really help. You’ll also want to keep an eye on your office grapevine and participate in it yourself. You’ll get to know the staff who share the most information, and this can then be utilised to get news to your workforce more quickly. Spending time getting to know your crew will give you insight into any clusters that may become an issue or close-knit groups that are likely to share information more often and more quickly. Understanding your clusters will also help you spot any groups that are likely to disagree or where conflict is likely to arise. It can also help you spot bullying or any discrimination amongst your workforce. If you are an active participant in your office grapevine, you will also be in a great position to counteract rumours, as well as simply knowing what your workers believe. You can keep an eye on things and add further information or counter-information as and when you see fit. Another great way to carefully manage your informal communication network is to encourage a friendly, inclusive atmosphere in the workplace in general. This could include clear policies for whistleblowing, discrimination, or conflict between workers and friendlier senior staff. Involving your workers in decision-making where you can, is also a good idea. Providing your staff with a physical space to socialise is also beneficial and helps encourage informal communication. Happier staff are less likely to spread rumours and cause conflict, so consider offering your team a comfortable break room and a social media space, such as a Whats App group, Facebook group, or recreational Slack channel. As a manager, one of the best things you can do to manage informal communications is accept that the office grapevine exists. Trying to deny there is any gossip or rumour-spreading in your office only leads to issues that go undealt with and more conflict than is necessary in the workplace. Try discussing the grapevine with your senior staff at regular meetings, and make it clear that you’d like your team to participate and monitor it. Which of the following is not to be reckoned as part of controllable turnover quizlet?Which of the following is not to be reckoned as part of controllable turnover? An employee retires. For strengthening employee loyalty, supervisors can consider: Practicing honest participative management.
When a supervisor's territory is expanded via merger the supervisor must then?When a supervisor's territory is expanded via merger, the supervisor must then: Both become more of a manager and less of an occasional worker and strive to treat all employees equally.
When you become a first line supervisor you must?When you become a first-line supervisor you must: Consider the move as a vocational change or the adoption of a second occupation. The majority of individuals who are asked to become first-line supervisors are chosen for supervision because: They have proven to be capable and reliable workers.
When you are a meeting attendee you should not?When you are a meeting attendee you should not: Withhold honest opinions because they may be unpopular. A meeting's chairperson should: Avoid telling a participant that he or she is wrong.
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