In: Operations Management
What role does effective interpersonal communication play within organizations?
Interpersonal communication can be attributed to being one of the biggest reasons for either the success or the failure of any organization, any undertaken projector processes. We need to consider the fact that interpersonal communication is more than just conveying of information. Instead, we can attribute it to be the factor of knowledge control where the same information is being given to all the units of the organization, preventing any short-circuiting or other barriers to the communication process. Let us draw a comparison here, imagine the organization is a train, for the train to run as smoothly as possible. The different units need to be appropriately communicating their side of the deductions to determine the functional capacity at which the train can run. This is external or intrapersonal communication where one unit is communicating with another. Now consider the unit itself, unless each member of the group understands what information is being conveyed, there is a high possibility of some errors occurring which can delay the entire train. Like for example, the train tracks have not been cleared, and two trains now occupy the same route because one of the units failed to check the signals and even when they did, they failed to convey the information to other members of their group, creating a short-circuiting of knowledge and thereby delaying the train.
Interpersonal communication essentially means everybody
communicates their point of views, their perspective and outlook so
that everybody is on the same page, have the same information and
expectations and the understanding of the end goal, increasing
productivity and decreasing resulting conflicts.
Interpersonal communication involves exchange of ideas with one another. It is very important to have strong interpersonal communication within and outside the organization to effectively manage the key business functions like planning, managing, directing, training and resolving conflicts, etc. It helps in effectively managing the operations at workplace. It build trust and cooperation among staff and also helps in reducing wastage of efforts and time. Businesses are dynamic in nature and cannot run in isolation. They have to regularly adapt changes from the business environment and to successfully implement changes at workplace, effective interpersonal communication plays an important role. Managers communicate frequently with one other and also rely on one another for performing the tasks which is not possible without interpersonal skills. Interpersonal communication also helps in training of the employees as well as in solving the disputes if any arises in the organization.
In the workplace having an effective interpersonal communication is one of the most important skills in business professionals. This determines whether a team can operate effectively and meet its core goals. By definition interpersonal communication also involves listening, this helps individual understand more the message and helps them act accordingly. If a manager provides instructions but team members are unable to listen and synthesize the information, confusion may arise and there might be delays on projects. Therefore with interpersonal communication it helps the efficiency of the business functions such as training, selling, problem solving and managing within an organization.