This year-end holiday feels a little different, activities in 2023 can be said to have become normal as in previous years, the pandemic has become endemic, replaced by other dynamics of world life. Surviving organizations have undergone many evolutions since the beginning of the strategic renaissance in the 70s. Currently, organizations are dealing more with things that smell of technology, globalization, and changes that are accelerating both in terms of opportunities, and policies that apply in the business environment.
If we look closely, there are already five generations working together. Starting from Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen-X, Millennials, and Gen-Z. With so many generations in one scope of work in the organization, communication strategy becomes a critical thing to make the organization function optimally. Each generation has different preferences for communication patterns, Traditionalists and Baby Boomers for example prefer telephone conversations and face-to-face meetings, while Millennials and Gen-Z simply communicate through short messages on cell phone applications. One way to bridge the gap between the two is to provide informal communication for them to create an effective and supportive work environment.
Informal communication is a process that is often taken for granted in the workplace. In some organizations, however, informal communication is a quick, easy, and efficient way for employees to share information and ideas with each other. It is even possible to have an informal communication process that allows trust and relationships to develop between coworkers.
There are several ways to build informal communication in the workplace. One way is to create an environment that is conducive to open communication. Like in our office, there is a red round dining table that serves as a gathering place for breakfast, lunch, or just chatting in the afternoon. The round table usually has snacks from all over the archipelago, from those who happen to be traveling out of town, or from those who deliberately bring snacks from their homes to enjoy together. So it becomes an unwritten rule that all food on the round table is common property, no permission is needed to enjoy it.
In other organizations, there are spots where employees gather to chat with each other such as dining halls, gazebos, or even under shady trees. Informal communication in these places will build a culture of trust where employees feel comfortable sharing information and ideas with each other. Regardless of their position, title, or employment status. A place to talk about their lives outside of work such as hobbies, sports, and so on will break the ice that creates openness and mutual trust. Anyone can exchange ideas in this informal setting. In fact, sometimes the exchange of information that arises may be helpful in determining strategic actions, as well as policies that will be treated within the organization.
One indicator of a healthy organization is employees who are happy, open, and productive in their work. This can be created in a supportive work environment that is full of mutual trust and respect for one another. The following are some topics in informal communication that can be applied by organizations to create a supportive environment in the workplace.
Sharing sessions by those who are more senior or experts in their fields in a relaxed atmosphere will be more easily accepted and can lead to more discussions that would be difficult if done in a certain formal session. Informal discussions also remove the boundaries of position, so it will be easier to encourage and motivate whoever is there to move forward and develop.
In the workplace, anyone can be a supportive listener regardless of age, tenure, position, or power. In informal communication, listening also plays an important role, and the more people who listen, the more people will communicate their needs, or anything else that happens in the workplace that needs to be a concern, so that it will create a continuous learning process and information cycle in the workplace as mutual learning.
According to the view of Mrs. Wahyu, one of the Resident Consultants at Prasmul-eli, that uncertainty in the world of work is a certainty. Uncertainty will encourage stress in the workplace. This is a natural thing to happen in the workplace. One of the easiest ways to create and maintain a supportive work environment is to identify, monitor, reduce resistance, manage stress and uncertainty through informal communication. Avoid excessive praise or non-essential pleasantries as these will increase stress and lead to defensiveness in communication. Strive to engage in more supportive communication such as asking questions, having honest conversations, and recognizing stress and uncertainty as difficult and uncomfortable so that others can also understand and ultimately provide the support needed to drive mutual achievement.
Gardhika Waskita Pakqi - Resident Assessor at prasmul-eli
This year-end holiday feels a little different, activities in 2023 can be said to have become normal as in previous years, the pandemic has become endemic, replaced by other dynamics of world life. Surviving organizations have undergone many evolutions since the beginning of the strategic renaissance in the 70s. Currently, organizations are dealing more with things that smell of technology, globalization, and changes that are accelerating both in terms of opportunities, and policies that apply in the business environment.
If we look closely, there are already five generations working together. Starting from Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Gen-X, Millennials, and Gen-Z. With so many generations in one scope of work in the organization, communication strategy becomes a critical thing to make the organization function optimally. Each generation has different preferences for communication patterns, Traditionalists and Baby Boomers for example prefer telephone conversations and face-to-face meetings, while Millennials and Gen-Z simply communicate through short messages on cell phone applications. One way to bridge the gap between the two is to provide informal communication for them to create an effective and supportive work environment.
Informal communication is a process that is often taken for granted in the workplace. In some organizations, however, informal communication is a quick, easy, and efficient way for employees to share information and ideas with each other. It is even possible to have an informal communication process that allows trust and relationships to develop between coworkers.
There are several ways to build informal communication in the workplace. One way is to create an environment that is conducive to open communication. Like in our office, there is a red round dining table that serves as a gathering place for breakfast, lunch, or just chatting in the afternoon. The round table usually has snacks from all over the archipelago, from those who happen to be traveling out of town, or from those who deliberately bring snacks from their homes to enjoy together. So it becomes an unwritten rule that all food on the round table is common property, no permission is needed to enjoy it.
In other organizations, there are spots where employees gather to chat with each other such as dining halls, gazebos, or even under shady trees. Informal communication in these places will build a culture of trust where employees feel comfortable sharing information and ideas with each other. Regardless of their position, title, or employment status. A place to talk about their lives outside of work such as hobbies, sports, and so on will break the ice that creates openness and mutual trust. Anyone can exchange ideas in this informal setting. In fact, sometimes the exchange of information that arises may be helpful in determining strategic actions, as well as policies that will be treated within the organization.
One indicator of a healthy organization is employees who are happy, open, and productive in their work. This can be created in a supportive work environment that is full of mutual trust and respect for one another. The following are some topics in informal communication that can be applied by organizations to create a supportive environment in the workplace.
Sharing sessions by those who are more senior or experts in their fields in a relaxed atmosphere will be more easily accepted and can lead to more discussions that would be difficult if done in a certain formal session. Informal discussions also remove the boundaries of position, so it will be easier to encourage and motivate whoever is there to move forward and develop.
In the workplace, anyone can be a supportive listener regardless of age, tenure, position, or power. In informal communication, listening also plays an important role, and the more people who listen, the more people will communicate their needs, or anything else that happens in the workplace that needs to be a concern, so that it will create a continuous learning process and information cycle in the workplace as mutual learning.
According to the view of Mrs. Wahyu, one of the Resident Consultants at Prasmul-eli, that uncertainty in the world of work is a certainty. Uncertainty will encourage stress in the workplace. This is a natural thing to happen in the workplace. One of the easiest ways to create and maintain a supportive work environment is to identify, monitor, reduce resistance, manage stress and uncertainty through informal communication. Avoid excessive praise or non-essential pleasantries as these will increase stress and lead to defensiveness in communication. Strive to engage in more supportive communication such as asking questions, having honest conversations, and recognizing stress and uncertainty as difficult and uncomfortable so that others can also understand and ultimately provide the support needed to drive mutual achievement.
Gardhika Waskita Pakqi - Resident Assessor at prasmul-eli
