How can you blend formal and informal communication in business?

1 What is formal communication?

Formal communication is the type of communication that follows rules, standards, and protocols. It is usually written, structured, and precise, and it often uses technical or specialized language. Formal communication is common in official documents, reports, contracts, policies, procedures, and presentations. It is also appropriate when you need to convey authority, professionalism, respect, or formality.

2 What is informal communication?

Informal communication is the type of communication that is more casual, spontaneous, and personal. It is usually spoken, flexible, and expressive, and it often uses colloquial or slang terms. Informal communication is common in conversations, emails, chats, texts, and social media. It is also appropriate when you need to build rapport, trust, or creativity.

3 When to use formal or informal communication?

When deciding whether to use formal or informal communication, there are various factors to consider, such as your purpose, audience, relationship, tone, and medium. Generally speaking, formal communication should be used when clarity and accuracy are needed, such as when delivering important information, making a request, or giving feedback. On the other hand, informal communication should be used when friendliness and collaboration are desired, such as when brainstorming ideas or expressing emotions. However, it is important to note that formal communication should not be used when empathy or humor is needed and informal communication should not be used when respect or professionalism is required.

4 How to blend formal and informal communication?

Sometimes, you may need to blend formal and informal communication to achieve the best results. For instance, you could begin a formal email with a warm greeting, or end an informal chat with a clear action point. Blending formal and informal communication can assist in adapting to different situations, connecting with different people, and conveying different messages. Here are some tips on how to blend these two styles of communication: consider your context, use transitions, mix formats, and seek feedback. When considering your context, think about the purpose, audience, relationship, tone, and medium of your communication. What are the expectations and norms of the situation? What are the goals and preferences of the people involved? How can you match your style to the context? Additionally, use words or phrases that signal a change in your style such as "however", "by the way", "on a serious note", or "just kidding" to avoid confusion or inconsistency in your communication. You can also use different formats to convey different aspects of your communication such as bullet points to summarize formal information and emoticons to express informal emotions. Furthermore, use different channels to communicate different messages like email for formal documents and phone for informal feedback. Lastly, ask for feedback from colleagues, clients or managers on your communication style. How do they perceive your formal and informal communication? How do they respond to your blending of styles? How can you improve your communication skills?

5 Benefits of blending formal and informal communication

Blending formal and informal communication can have many benefits for your business, such as enhancing your credibility and improving relationships. Formal communication can demonstrate your competence, knowledge, and professionalism, while informal communication can show your personality, authenticity, and approachability. Additionally, using formal communication when respectful can show appreciation, recognition, and courtesy, while using informal communication when friendly can show interest, empathy, and humor. Moreover, formal communication when clear can avoid misunderstandings, errors, and conflicts, and informal communication when creative can foster innovation, collaboration, and engagement.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?