My Insights on Organizational Communication

Communication, whether it be between two individuals or a group of twenty, requires a fine written and detailed blue-print such that there are no misinterpretations especially in administrations for example, hospitals, academic intuitions or businesses such as Google, or Amazon that house more than 1000+ employees. Therefore, it isn’t hard to imagine that down the line somebody in a different department or room could hear or discuss an issue that could be communicated negatively. It might sound like that is a “you” problem, but it really is a “we” problem. Why? Because as someone representing an organization or business, he or she is also respectively, communicating their opinions and the institutions, as well. It sounds a little daunting, but we do live in a world that is ready to crucify us if we disagree with its view.

Before we jump into ethical challenges, the benefits and risks, and cultural views, we should discuss what the definition of organizational communication is. In simple biological terms, organizations can be represented as the “body” and “blood” would represent the form of communication. Within the “body”, we have different “organs” or departments and the flow of “blood” is how they interact with each other. (Koschmann, 2012) Therefore, as a definitive term, organizational communication is an effective practice of communication between colleagues, clients and other institutions to maintain a healthy and professional environment. My understanding is that communication helps other important areas in a business understand how everything is being handled effectively and meticulously. So, what happens when an urgent announcement or confidential papers get sent to the wrong person?

Having worked in healthcare the last two years, the importance of confidentiality is of highest priority. You cannot discuss patient healthcare plans, or even where they were staying to anybody because it’s an ethical violation. Similarly, if a coworker or colleague are discussing about another associate’s, for example, family issues and as a result, the whole department knows, it becomes an ethical issue. Therefore, management has to get involved because there has been a breach of trust to someone’s personal life without their knowledge. This also contributes poorly on the employee in question’s well-being. If somebody is subjected such in workforce, their mental and physical well-being can have a negative impact and thus lead them to quit their job. (Men, 2019)

Organizational communication is not all black or white. There are ethical issues, yes, but there are benefits to this practice including risks. The benefits of communication is an institution can build trust, compassion and most of all performance in workforce. The benefits of rewards such as yearly bonuses or promotion helps maintain a level of professional friendliness where, if need be, help or an opinion can motivate the coworker. (Men, 2019) For example, working in a laboratory in the hospital is quite a nerve wrecking job since both the doctors and nurses need specimen results to administer the right dose of medication or discharge a patient. In order to create a stable and professional environment, the management always assures to offer help in case the doctors or nurses became frustrated. The help could be from answering calls to personally handling the situation by visiting them up on the unit or emergency room. As a result, the lab would deal with any issues efficiently and in a timely manner. In contrast, the risks of not communicating with other fellow workers could result in a delay in a patient’s health care plan or even death of a patient.

In addition, cultural views and diversity have a lasting impact on how the organization’s communication is received and delivered. Many cultures have different ways to interact with other people. For example, single men in the Middle East do not shake hands with young or single women or use any form of physical interaction as a greeting. That is because it is frowned upon due to religious restrictions. Therefore, in order to maintain a strict “do not touch” rule, they verbalize their greetings. Putting this information in my professional life, I have had to be more open-minded in a culture where shaking hands and hugging is a form of greeting but, maintaining the conservative aspect such as, if I was back in Qatar, I wouldn't do neither. As a result, in an interview, I would most definitely shake hands with women and men to communicate that I am comfortable and respective.

Finally, organizational communication is a walk on tight rope. You cannot lean on one side to heavily otherwise, you would topple over. Learning and recognizing the ethics, and morals off the institution can help from getting in trouble or putting the company in uncomfortable position. The key is to understand the audience and respect their way of representing themselves through their communicative ways.