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In an old-order organization, communication is often one-way. A manager “above” communicates “down” to employees. In a contemporary organization, the manager resides at the center of the team or work group and everyone works within the context of delivering products and services to customers. Your communications radiate out to employees. They, in turn, convey their feedback to you (and to one another). And there is regular communication with customers as well. Contemporary organizations strive to be “people-sensitive”— responsive to the needs of employees and customers. Interactions are dynamic. There’s more give-and-take, with ideas and information freely exchanged. Employees dont have to hunt high and low for a suggestion box. They know managers are receptive to hearing their suggestions firsthand. Asked for their input, employees feel valued. Managers find it easier to achieve “buy-in” because employees have had a say in decisions they’re asked to support.
In any type of organization, old or new or something in between, you get better results when you interact with people on a regular basis. When you do, keep your communications constructive.