- Formal and informal communication are two types of communication commonly used in organizations.
- While they have some similarities, they also have some key differences.
Similarities:
- Both formal and informal communication are used to convey information and ideas within an organization.
- They both involve the transfer of information from one person or group to another.
- They both require active listening and effective communication skills to be successful.
- They can both be used to build relationships and strengthen the culture of the organization.
Differences:
- Formal communication is typically structured and follows a set of rules or guidelines, while informal communication is less structured and often takes place outside of official channels.
- Formal communication is usually used for official business, such as reports, memos, and emails, while informal communication is often used for socializing and building relationships.
- Formal communication is often written, while informal communication is usually oral.
- Formal communication is often documented and can be used as a record of decisions, while informal communication is usually not documented.
- Formal communication is usually directed from higher levels of management to lower levels, while informal communication can flow in any direction within the organization.
Examples:
- An example of formal communication would be a manager sending an email to their team to announce a new policy.
- An example of informal communication would be two coworkers chatting in the break room about a project they are working on.
- An example of the difference between formal and informal communication would be a manager giving a formal presentation to their team during a meeting, while later during the same meeting the team members engage in informal communication with each other.
