Internal Communication

Internal communication is the communication between a business and its employees — including the corresponding that occurs between employees. It takes place between all different levels in an organization.

Communication within the workplace is a skill that is difficult to master. Many businesses fail to stay on top of deadlines and everyday tasks and activities because of poor internal communication. When no one is on the same page, it’s hard to get employees to work together to enhance their organization.

If management does not give proper instructions to individual employees on what they are supposed to do and accomplish for the day or week, then they are prohibiting that group from working toward the company goals.

Like Roy W. Poe said, “Internal communication within an organization is the very backbone to its survival. If employees are not on the same page with their everyday tasks, then they are failing to achieve the expectations that are placed on them.”

When they fail, management fails. When management fails, the business fails. This is not the goal — and no one wants this. That’s why it’s imperative to maintain proper communication processes between employees and management.

A breakdown of communication happened at my organization just this week. I was told I was working in a specific department at a certain time, and even called to double check that’s where I was working. A supervisor incorrectly told me to go to the wrong department and the person I relieved — who was supposed to be working later than when I arrived — said nothing and just left early without telling a manager.

No one came to me and told me that I was supposed to be somewhere else until 45 minutes after my shift began. The person who was in the department that I was scheduled for was then forced to wait for me to get out there and was upset that I was late, but I had no knowledge I was supposed to work there because of poor communication by management.

This lack of communication caused unnecessary irritation and frustration between both employees and management, so I called my manager to advise of the situation and discuss any way we could prevent breakdowns of internal communications like that.

It’s important to understand the role that communication plays inside of an organization. Everyone needs to work diligently to ensure that information is being relayed clearly to each employee. When management and employees communicate well, the job gets done better and faster with less drawbacks due to misinformation.

Take the proper steps each day to ensure each of your co-workers is on the same page working toward the goal of the organization. As Poe said, it is the backbone to its survival.

Citations

Poe, R. W., & Fruehling, R. T. (1989). Business communication: a problem-solving approach. New York: Gregg Division, McGraw-Hill.