How Important is Effective Communication within an Organization? What are some Tips that could help in Breaking Barriers to Communication?

1SG, communication is ESSENTIAL! without it, there is no cohesion, and no effectiveness. The best thing I could think to do to establish solid communication is to just approach and speak. Start at the root, meaning the professional capacity, and work your way in to the person beneath. This establishes the clear chain of command, but also allows you to know your co-workers as an individual, so as a leader, you can better assess their needs and motivations.

1SG Poe,

Effective communication is the key to an efficient well organized unit. Fostering a positive command climate and not putting up barricades are essential. All soldiers and leaders need to be able to communicate up, down, and laterally. I recommend reading "The 360 Degree Leader" by John C. Maxwell. In the book he talks about this and has some useful tools to accomplish the desired end state.

1SG Rice

I found training meetings to be useful for communicating. It was just not only me talking, the NCOs talked their piece and gave great ideas. When the NCOs had better ideas or it was a draw, I always let the NCOs win.