Difference Between Formal and Informal Communication

Formal and informal both are important and effective ways of communication, but there is some difference between formal and informal communication. They can be compared to the following aspects:

Difference between formal and informal communication

SL	Points of Difference	Formal communication	Informal communication
1	Rule	Here Organizational rules are strictly followed.	It does not generally follow the rules of the organization.
2	Recognition	It requires official recognition.	It does not require any official recognition.
3	Secrecy	Such communication is not free and open to all. So secrecy is maintained here.	It is free and open to all, so it is very difficult to maintain secrecy here.
4	Flexibility	It is inflexible in nature as it cannot be changed when desired.	Being flexible, it can be changed easily.
5	Time & Cost	It follows various rules of the organization. So it requires much time and cost.	It does not bother with the formalities of the Organization and therefore requires less time and cost.
6	Record keeping	This type of communication involves written procedures, so the record can be kept here.	A permanent record is impossible here because nothing is written here.
7	Errors or Mistakes	Very careful attention is given here to encoding the message and sending the message in a formal way. Due to this seriousness, there is less chance of mistakes or errors.	It is personal in nature and therefore less attention is involved which can cause many errors or mistakes.
8	Compulsion	It is bound to follow the formal rules of communication.	There is no pressure here to follow any rules.
9	Necessity	It is necessary to achieve organizational goals.	It is necessary for the development of personal relationships.
10	Delegation of Authority	Authority can be delegated through formal communication.	Authority cannot be delegated through such communication.
11	Distortion? of communication	There is less chance for communication to the distorted here.	There is each and every chance for communication to be distorted here.
12	Com-plaints	Complaints are accepted through such communication.	Complaints are not always accepted by the use of such communication.
13	Emotion	There is no scope to express emotion here.	Basically, emotions are expressed here.
14	Behavior	It is authoritarian in nature.	It involves courtesy and friendship.
1 5	Spontaneous	Here messages flow along the formal channel, which is rigid Therefore, employees have to be conservative.	There is no boss-subordinate relationship in such communication. So everybody can frankly and freely communicate his view or feeling.
16	Relation	Such communication fails to improve labor-management relations.	It enhances the labor-management relation.

Related Content of Internal Communication:

• Internal Communication Definition
• Importance of Internal Communication
• The network of Small Group Communication