Improving Personal and Organizational Communications

            Impersonal, one&-way communication methods can be effectively used to share basic facts, policies, instructions, and other such information that requires no feedback from the receiver. Interpersonal communication involves a two&-way exchange in which the receiver understands the message in the same way the sender intended it. 

            Communication is often filtered through semantics, emotions, attitudes, role expectations, and nonverbal messages. Body language conveys information about a person's thoughts and feelings through eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, and use of personal space, or proxemics.

            Individuals can make their messages clearer by using repetition, avoiding buzz words, using discretion when writing correspondence, and timing the message so that the receiver can focus on what is being said. They can also learn active and empathic listening skills.

            Communication in organizations unifies group behavior and helps build teamwork. Formal communication channels follow the structure of  the organization and can be vertical or horizontal. Informal channels, such as the grapevine, are both vertical and horizontal. The grapevine often transmits information more rapidly and accurately than formal channels but can also have an extremely negative effect on the organization if the rumors are untrue. Organizations can improve their internal communications by creating a climate that encourages upward communication. The integration of international trade and business means that companies must train their employees to be able to communicate in spite of language and cultural differences.