Communication helps to build enduring connections

How would you define communication?

It is often perceived mainly as a means of transmitting information between people. 

“In the professional world, people are eager to know how to communicate effectively to ensure their messages get across, but this perspective on communication is too one-dimensional and overly simplistic,” says Leena Mikkola, an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Tampere University. 

This perspective on communication is prevalent because often the goal is to maximise the efficiency of communications and operations. However, from an organisational communication standpoint, understanding the nature of communication processes is more important than mere efficiency. Organisational realities, roles and mutual understanding are created through social interaction. 

As a result, the focus of communication studies has shifted to examine communication and social interaction from a constitutive perspective. 

“An organisation is created in communication. For instance, Tampere University did not suddenly come into existence after the campuses were merged and organisational structures were aligned. Instead, it is still gradually evolving in mutual interactions that give the University its meaning,” Mikkola says.

Mikkola leads the Motiivi research consortium, which explores interprofessional expertise and identity, which in this context refers to a professional identity created in and experienced through interaction. The consortium is conducting a research project to investigate how people develop an interprofessional identity by interacting within teams composed of social service and healthcare professionals and their clients. 

People’s individual notions of communication are likely to have a significant impact on how they position themselves within these interprofessional teams. For example, the project has examined how doctors perceive their roles within their team. Doctoral researcher in communication studies, Emma Sallinen, notes that her research findings show how doctors may position themselves as team leaders and bearers of responsibility, aligning with the conventional view of communication as merely transmitting information. Conversely, doctors may also position themselves as members of a team that shares the responsibility for building mutual understanding. In this view, the team is created in communication. 

Managing tensions within interprofessional teams

Interprofessional teams comprise professionals from various fields, who, despite being part of the same team, also operate independently and may have widely differing approaches to the team’s activities. At the same time, the team members are interdependent and must continuously balance their contradictory views. This creates tensions between autonomy and dependence among the team members.

“We need to accept people’s different interests and still get along and advocate for our common goals. Eliminating conflicting interests is impossible, but more solutions for improving interaction are constantly being developed,” notes Leena Mikkola.

In strained situations, it is important to examine how the tensions are managed, for example, by employing various communication strategies or ways of participating in interaction. 

Tensions emerging from the imbalance between organisational hierarchy and equality are also felt in workplaces. To alleviate these tensions, understanding how power is constructed and expressed within a team is essential.

The decision-making hierarchy of an organisation can be significantly manifested, for example, in team discussions. Instead of imposing their views on others, leaders should listen to their team members and appreciate their expertise in different areas. This approach promotes more equitable discussions and reinforces the notion that all team members have equally valuable roles. Ideally, communication serves as a powerful tool for enhancing productivity and impact.

When organisational hierarchies are emphasised, power dynamics take precedence and the differences between professions are accentuated. Categorising interprofessional team members by their profession relies on preconceived notions about how the representatives of each profession typically operate and communicate. However, doctoral researcher Karoliina Karppinen has found in her research that this type of categorising, characterised by “blocking”, sometimes plays an important role in organising collaboration, as it helps to clarify responsibilities, tasks and areas of expertise. As a result, effective interprofessional teamwork is built on acknowledging both the differences and boundaries between professions as well as the connections and similarities among team members.

Photo: Jonne Renvall / Tampereen yliopisto

Communication professionals can act as sensors

Communication professionals possess the expertise to identify situations where team members use the same words but mean different things. When this occurs, the team should discuss the intended meanings.

“In organisations, communication professionals serve as sensors, pinpointing areas and instances where mutual understanding is lacking. Some might liken them to barometers that assess the organisation’s atmosphere through subtle cues, but this assessment is, in fact, a systematic activity supported by theoretical concepts and tools,” Mikkola says. 

Organisations should recognise all the areas where communicators can help to build a shared foundation and manage tensions. The sensor function cannot be performed well without access to all organisational levels. 

“An understanding of communication and social interaction is fundamental knowledge that is needed everywhere,” Mikkola says.

The importance of communication has been widely acknowledged across society. For example, the Covid-19 pandemic led to a massive increase in digital communications, highlighting the importance of communication and expertise in this field. 

“Our MA graduates who specialise in communication are highly regarded by employers, which speaks volumes about the quality and relevance of our education. People are gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse roles that communication professionals play and the multifaceted nature of our field,” Mikkola says.

In the spring of 2025, the number of applicants for degree programmes in communication increased by 56%.

“Observing our students, it is clear that communication professionals are passionate about promoting human well-being. When first-year students are asked about their motivation to study communication, their responses reflect a strong commitment to building mutual understanding to make the world a better place,” Mikkola adds.