Informal Communication
Communication that takes place without following the formal lines of communication is said to be informal communication. Informal communication is done in a free environment. Free environment means that there is no pressure of any office-big or small. The reactions of the employees can easily be collected.
The informal communication arises out of needs of employees to exchange their views, which cannot be done through formal channels. Workers chit chating in a canteen about the behavior of the superior, discussing about rumors that some employees are likely to be transferred are some examples of informal communications. It is very difficult to detect the source of such communication. It also leads to generate rumors which are not authentic. People’s behavior is affected by rumors and informal discussions and sometimes may hamper work environment.
An intelligent manager should make use of positive aspects of informal channels and minimize negative aspects of this channel of communication. This communication is absolutely unsystematic and it is not necessary that information reaches the person concerned.
Characteristics
- This communication is born out of social relations who mean that it is beyond the restrictions of the organization.
- Informal communication makes news spread like wildfire. Not only this, people start adding something of their own which sometimes changes the real meaning of the communication.
