The nature and role of Communication in administration vindicates that ‘communication is authority’. Comment.

Communication is a comprehensive process involving transfer or sharing of ideas either by verbal or non-verbal modus operandi in order to gain consensus among the sender or recipient(s) of the information. Hence, effective communication is a prerequisite for implementing administrative/organizational strategies as well as for managing day to day activities through people. Communication is very essence of life; presence of communication is felt in every walk of life similarly its presence is also seen across the cross-section of administration dynamics. Communication aspect plays a pivotal role in administration driving it to realise its goals. Communication makes the biggest relative contribution to the effectiveness of administrators.

Communication is a mode to transfer the perceived ideas onto others, it is a conduit for flow of information, it is a process of establishing commonness and moreover it also exhibits a varying degree of role in eliciting cooperation and to restore normalcy. Communication to be effective it is important to deliver the content clearly in a comprehensible language. It should not be defective and misleading; un-ambiguity and clarity are the chief principles of communication to be impressive and effective. It is an ongoing process i.e. dynamic and reciprocal in nature. Communication is an intangible asset for any organisation. Communication also has behavioural component. One of the statements emphasizing role of behavior is, “the only means by which one person can influence another is by the behaviors he performs-that is, the communicative exchanges between people provide the sole method by which influence or effects can be achieved.” Communication certainly is said as the means and end as its role is eternal.  

Administration is an organic aspect; hence communication plays a fundamental and behavioural role as it is omnipresent at all levels and moreover exchange of information is vital.   Through vertical and horizontal interactive and interpersonal communication systems necessary information can be disseminated to various levels of hierarchy enabling authorities to make timely policies, decisions, assessments. Moreover, through timely communication commendable authority can be established. The success of any project depends upon the efficient quotient of communication. 

Following are the few examples that reinforce the statement ‘communication is authority’:

1. In any military action, communication of information, transmitting of data plays a pivotal role enabling soldiers to make strategic move for ceasing the perpetrators.  
2. During times of natural calamities, for assessing the gravity of the situation, for seeking any assistance, for any other aid communication of the information is must which enables the administrators to push in the emergency services.
3. Government while making certain legislations or implementing policies tries to ascertain the outlook from the people hence it comes out with various methodologies to draw the opinion from multitude levels of people which is also a communication.

Therefore, administration is virtually handicapped without proper network of channels of communication hence it can be reiterated emphasizing the central role of communication in administration as authoritarian.