Chain of Command
Chain of Command Communication
COM 425
Instructor Robert Strain
January 13, 2014
Chain of Command Communication
In the world of business, communication has to exist for any company to meet the goals of employees and of its own. As in the military a chain has been developed so that all troops can understand that flow of communication and authority. This style is known as the chain of command which is defined as: “The order in which authority and power in an organization is wielded and delegated from top management to every employee at every level of the organization. Instructions flow downward along the chain of command and accountability flows upward.” (Web Finance, 2013) In 14 years of personal experience in the military this style would benefit the current organization I am employed by and have been for the last 2 years. In our current structure we have two Managers- direct and 2nd level, then a Director and at the highest level our Vice President. In this format sometimes our direct manger is left out of the loop and never giving a chance to perform his duties when the 2nd level Manager comes directly to us. According to Kelchner (2013), “An established chain of command creates efficiency when reporting problems or communicating with workers. For example, when a worker communicates a problem to his supervisor’s manager, the supervisor doesn 't have an opportunity to correct the problem.” Since our current format of management has a fault, corrections need to be made and all of us as an organization need to follow it so the chain stays strong by working effectively. This chain of command theory is just the start and when used with 5 subcomponents will in the end help reach personal and company goals.
The first and most valuable subcomponent is being an active listener; this would apply to all individuals in the chain of command. Being an “active listening means being fully engaged in paying attention to your relational
COM 425
Instructor Robert Strain
January 13, 2014
Chain of Command Communication
In the world of business, communication has to exist for any company to meet the goals of employees and of its own. As in the military a chain has been developed so that all troops can understand that flow of communication and authority. This style is known as the chain of command which is defined as: “The order in which authority and power in an organization is wielded and delegated from top management to every employee at every level of the organization. Instructions flow downward along the chain of command and accountability flows upward.” (Web Finance, 2013) In 14 years of personal experience in the military this style would benefit the current organization I am employed by and have been for the last 2 years. In our current structure we have two Managers- direct and 2nd level, then a Director and at the highest level our Vice President. In this format sometimes our direct manger is left out of the loop and never giving a chance to perform his duties when the 2nd level Manager comes directly to us. According to Kelchner (2013), “An established chain of command creates efficiency when reporting problems or communicating with workers. For example, when a worker communicates a problem to his supervisor’s manager, the supervisor doesn 't have an opportunity to correct the problem.” Since our current format of management has a fault, corrections need to be made and all of us as an organization need to follow it so the chain stays strong by working effectively. This chain of command theory is just the start and when used with 5 subcomponents will in the end help reach personal and company goals.
The first and most valuable subcomponent is being an active listener; this would apply to all individuals in the chain of command. Being an “active listening means being fully engaged in paying attention to your relational
References: Fay, M. J. (2011). Informal communication of co-workers: A thematic analysis of messages. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 6(3), 212-229. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17465641111188394 Hear, hear: Hone the skill of active listening. (2012, Aug 18). Waikato Times. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1033758287?accountid=32521 Kreps, G.L. (2011). Communication in organizations. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Kelchner, L. (2013). The importance of following the chain of command in business. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-following-chain-command-business-23560.html McCormack, M. (1996, Dec 23). A human being can be found in chain of command. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/260485706?accountid=32521 WebFinance, Inc. (2013). Chain of command. Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/chain-of-command.html