Table of Contents
·
What Is Formal Communication?
·
What Is Informal Communication?
·
Types Of Formal Communication
·
Types Of Informal Communication
·
Difference
Between Formal And Informal Communication
·
Which
Communication Is Better For Your Workplace?
What is soothing if
someone told you,
·
Hi, sir/madam. This task is incomplete. Can you please complete
this task has a due date of 2 days?
Or
·
Hey, do this task, it’s urgent and has to submit. Hurry up!
Everywhere,
communication plays an essential role. Even at the workplace, everyone can cooperate
via communication only. Sharing thoughts by communicating is the key role of
productivity.
There are two channels of communication –
·
Formal
·
Informal
People often confuse these two. What are
they? Where to use them? Which is beneficial? What are the types of formal or
informal communication? In this article, we’ve come up with a thought which
will clear all your doubts between formal and informal communication and the difference between them as
well.
What
Is Formal Communication?
Formal
communication- a name suggests the meaning only. It’s also called official
communication. This type of communication is defined because of communication
in which information is passed through routes and channels. The main aim of
formal communication is to converse with teammates, seniors, heads, managers,
and juniors as well.
Formal
communication is taken into account as effective communication as it saves time
through its proper flow of communication. The most superior and subordinate
conversation comes under formal communication. Though it is a good method for
routes and channels, it is not so cool because of rules and regulations.
Formal
communication refers to the flow of official information through emails,
papers, or documents. The flow of data is controlled effort to be properly
communicated. Employees are sure to follow formal communication channels while
performing their duties.
Formal
communication is taken into account effective as it is a timely and systematic
flow of communication. Formal communication leads to low cordiality among
relationships between subordinates and superior authorities.
What
Is Informal Communication?
Informal
Communication= Not A Formal Communication.
Communication that
doesn’t undertake formal methods to communicate is known as informal
communication.
·
Free Conversation
·
No Bondage
·
Organizational Level
·
Easy To Talk
·
In comparison,
informal communication refers to multi-dimensional communication. Informal
communication is a spontaneous kind of communication in which the subordinates.
Mates and even superiors can talk freely. There are not any official rules,
guidelines, or systems to speak.
One of the major
advantages of informal communication is that it is very flexible. There are no
rules, regulations & rigidity, or any kind of formality to hinder
communication. Informal communication is especially quick.
The only
disadvantage of this communication is rumours or misinformation spread at rapid
speed.
Types
of Formal Communication
Formal
communication can sound complex and convoluted, but generally, formal
communication is governed by command and follows organizational conventions.
Within the formal
communication and structure set of tone, you can do the communication. These
are the types of formal communication:
·
Vertical
Communication
Vertical
communication is held on various levels. In this, the message is passed from
seniors to juniors or juniors to seniors. You can consider upward or downward
communication vertical communication.
·
Horizontal
Communication
Horizontal
communication takes place among the same or different departments. It refers to
communication between individuals who are at similar levels within an
organization but have different areas of responsibility. Consider all chief
manager roles, marketing managers, sales managers, leads, etc.
·
Diagonal
Communication
Diagonal
communication takes place among the subordinates working on different levels.
For example, the marketing head communicates with a junior graphic designer.
This occurs when employees of different departments at different levels
communicate with each other irrespective of the chain of command to work.
·
Upward
Communication
During upward
communication, knowledge is transmitted from a lower to a higher level. It is
vertical communication, and the subordinate communicates with the seniors. This
type of communication boosts the morale of the employees. It includes
suggestions, reports, requests, and complaints.
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the Boredom
·
Downward
Communication
During downward
communication, knowledge is transferred from the higher to the lower level.
Downward communication is an efficient way of communication if any higher
authority wants to transfer knowledge or talk. Downward communication
represents the stereotypical form of formal communication. Emails, reports,
letters, and manual communication are commonly used in this.
Examples of Formal Communication:
·
Reports
·
Memos
·
Conferences
·
Meetings
·
Handouts
·
Presentations
·
Intranet
·
Formal One-on-Ones
·
Letters
·
Speeches
·
Organizational blogs
·
Notice boards
·
Emails
Types
of Informal Communication
Informal communication
is cool, easy to connect, and easy to talk communication. These are a type of
informal communication.
·
Single
Chain:
A single chain is a
type of communication, where person 1 passes information to person 2 and,
person 2 passes it to person 3. This is often how the single-chain moves in
informal communication.
·
Cluster
Chain:
A cluster chain
communication works when 2 or 3 people start a trend that is followed by
others. You can consider social media as an example of a cluster chain wherein
one person begins the trend/ challenge. It is possible that each individual
will expire the information to the next cluster network.
·
Gossip
Chain:
Gossip is the one
kind of communication where one can pass information to several people. This
type of communication is very common when they make teams and they wanted to
spread something.
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Business?
·
Probability
Chain:
This is the
probability that anyone can choose the person to pass the communication. Anyone
can transfer information to them and they also do the same later on.
Example of Informal Communication:
Wherever employees
interact in a conversational and casual way are examples of informal
communication. One of the great informal communication examples is to think of
it as a conversation between family members.
·
Chitchats
·
Gossips
·
Small direct messages
·
One liner
Etc.
Difference
between Formal and Informal Communication
So, these are some
of the significant differences between formal and informal communication. Check below:
|
Formal Communication |
Informal Communication |
|
Formal communication has rigid rules
and regulations. |
There are no rules and regulations in
informal communication. |
|
Formal communication is reliable as it
has proper documentation. |
Informal communication is not as reliable
as it is a casual one. |
|
It is known as official communication. |
It is known as grapevine
communication. |
|
Formal communication takes place
through formal channels or routes. |
Informal communication takes place
between two or more people unofficially. |
|
The process is slow. |
The process is rapid. |
|
It includes mostly written
communication. |
It includes mostly verbal
communication. |
|
There is a systematic flow in formal
communication. |
There is no flow but work-related
issues in which time is saved. |
|
Secrecy is maintained. |
Secrecy is not maintained. |
|
Authenticity is maintained through
official channels. |
Authenticity is not maintained. |
|
It is used to fulfil organizational
objectives. |
It is mostly used to meet personal
interests, and share knowledge and needs. |
Which
Communication Is Better For Your Workplace?
There are pros and
cons to both formal and informal communication. They both have the significance
of doing for the right place. Formal communication is important for the
workplace, but informal communication is also useful because it can bridge gaps
between departments and create a sense of belonging.
Informal
communication is a plus to business because if employees have friends to
communicate with they will enjoy their job more, however sometimes it misses
details. Unofficial or unconfirmed information is often spread to employees,
resulting in mass disinformation.
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Summarizing,
In this blog, we’ve discussed the
differences between Formal and Informal Communication. What do you think about
formal and informal communication networks? We sincerely hope that this blog
gives you proper information about communication types.
