The Importance of Communication

Communication is scientifically defined as the activity of conveying information through the exchange of thoughts, messages or information by speech, visuals, signals, writing or behavior. Communication adds meaning to the things we experience each and every day; without it, the world we live in would be much more different and chaotic.

Communication is the universal basis of understanding our environment. Each and every interaction we make revolves around the use of symbols; whether it is the written or spoken word and body language, there is an associated meaning with those words. Relationships are contingent on whether or not the communication between individuals has been successful.

Communication is the foundation of all relationships and is vital to every company that needs to engage its stakeholders. Without effective communication, relationships may be tarnished due to one party not fully understanding the other, and in most cases, it is the company that fails to deliver a clear message that brings clarity to the benefits they provide.

Clear and consistent communication within an organization is the foundation of keeping employees engaged and empowered with the information to become brand ambassadors. It is vital that communication remains productive and reinforces the relationship between co-workers, because a positive environment is paramount to developing a strong organizational culture. Moreover, a strong organizational culture impacts the public perception of an organization.

For example, Google is one of the most recognizable institutions in this regard. People view Google positively because of the culture they have built, and this may be why Google is arguably the most sought after company to work for in the world.

Communication is one of the most essential parts of an organization and is most vital when an organization is in a crisis. A poorly managed crisis usually stems from the fact that the response was not communicated properly and may result in a trust gap that the company could find unbridgeable. One example is the BP Oil Spill, which left the company with a tarnished public image.  

Although often taken for granted, communication is the key to every successful organization. We see its importance more and more each day as new crises occur. The company that deals with them best often does so as a direct correlation to strong and clear communications to both internal and external stakeholders.