The Hindu Business Line : Information vs communication

A core leadership principle is never to assume that anyone knows anything, says Hans Finzel in The Top 10 Mistakes Leaders Make from Jaico (www.jaicobooks.com). For, "We can never communicate enough in our organisations."

The author likens communication systems to `the pulsing red cells rushing through our veins keeping our bodies alive'. Unless `the folks at the far extremities' know what is going on in the minds of those at the leadership centre, they can't `feel comfortable, safe, and knowledgeable about their work'.

Communication chaos begins when small groups start getting larger, explains Finzel. "As long as the organisation is small, oral communication is sufficient and generally everyone knows everything." When you grow from a small entrepreneurship into a professionally managed organisation, you need to install formal communication channels.

"As organisations grow, the original group of founders can become an inside elite. Since they were there from the beginning, they have the most information and power. Newcomers feel left out." A vivid description from a new employee, cited in the book, reads thus: "I feel like a part of a mushroom farm — I'm left completely in the dark and fed more manure from time to time." A revealing statement, that is, of the kind of pain caused by poor communication, cautions Finzel.

"The two words information and communication are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things," clarifies a quote of Sydney J. Harris. "Information is giving out; communication is getting through."

Convincing presentation.

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