Effective Communication Paper Essay
Effective communication in any organization can truly be depicted by the culture and structure of the organization itself.
Organizations of all sizes maintain some form of organizational structure, which plays a role in the effectiveness of the communication distributed both in and outside of its walls. In this paper I will discuss which organizational model best describes the organization I work for as well as how my organization currently shares knowledge with employees in formulating solutions to problems.The techniques that have been most effective for sharing information and ideas will also be described. Then I will go over the techniques that proved to be ineffective and how those techniques might be applied or modified in a health care work environment. Last, I will give a brief overview of how technology might also affect this process.
The organizational model that best describes my organization is the functional structure. In functional structures people with similar skills and performing similar tasks are grouped together” (Lombardi & Schermerhorn, 2007, p. 56). There are many departments and specialized areas within my organization, which is a health care organization. Now this entails grouping people together that share the same skills so that each functional area operates consistently and efficiently.
At my organization it is organized by functions of human resources, office administration, accounting, specific managers, supervisors, and patient services.According to Lombardi and Schermerhorn, “if each function does its job well, the expectation is that the business will operate successfully ” (Lombardi & Schermerhorn, 2007, p. 56) and my organization has thrived due to this organizational model. My organization currently shares knowledge or involves employees in formulating solutions to problems by embracing both formal and informal communication. Now although the organizational model that best describes my organization is the functional structure, formal communication is widely used.
My organization has an official structure that depicts the way my organization is intended to function. There is a clear division of work, supervisory relationships, communication channels, major subunits, and levels of management (Lombardi & Schermerhorn, 2007). Therefore, the communication that takes place in my organization is very professional, to the point, and it avoids the use slang terminology. Formal communication within my organization also follows a clear path within an organization, meaning ommunication is delivered properly through levels of management and then onto major subunits. On the other hand informal communication is also used within my organization to share knowledge and involve employees in formulating solutions to problems. This type of communication takes place between any member of my organization and mostly during scheduled breaks or outside the work environment.
Informal communication is not as limited as the formal communication that takes place within my organization, meaning it does not have to professional by any means.This communication can “include people meeting for coffee, exercise groups, friendship cliques, and many other possibilities” (Lombardi & Schermerhorn, 2007, p. 56). My organization does not shun away from employees engaging in informal communication. “The lines of informal structures often cut across levels and move from side to side, rather than solely up and down” (Lombardi & Schermerhorn, 2007, p. 56). With this being said employees feel comfortable speaking with all lines of authority if needed.
