The doctor often examines the tongue to determine the general state of health of the patient. The tongue is the organ used by the body for communication. Similarly, we determine the morale level and state of mental health of the company by examining the manner of its communication. What the heart and mind think, the tongue speaks.



In sick companies, negative comments and rumours abound. Such negative energies that can sap away the morale and fruitful concentration of the company. It is quite easy to ascertain the state of health of the company. If you spend some time talking to the staff individually and you will soon be able to learn about the negative state of health of the organisation. The staff usually know the cause of the problems and the solutions to them.

In addition to talking, the tongue can be used to chew, mix, taste and swallow food. Even when you are sleeping, your tongue is busy pushing saliva down the throat to be swallowed, otherwise you will be drooling all over the pillow. Similarly corporate communication is the tongue of the organisation and is the way all business entities interact with each other during the course of business. . Corporate communication also serves multiple functions of improving corporate image, strengthening teamwork and corporate culture as well as handling difficult situations and customers. How an organisation communicates with its employees, its extended audiences, the press and the public at large will reveal its corporate character and values.

The importance of communication especially the spoken word cannot be over- emphasised. The Bible said:"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it for death or life." It also mentioned that "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaketh." There are many passages in the Bible on the wrong and right uses of the tongue as through the tongue you are bound your words and by your declarations.

Oftentimes, relationships break down because of poor communication. Marriage counsellors can testify that the poor communication is frequently the cause of marital conflicts and failures. When communication breaks down, it results in misunderstanding, rumour mongering, negative comments or verbal diarrhoea, which eventually lead to ill health. Also, when communication breaks down in the company, the rapport, metabolism and chemistry of the people suffer.

The turnaround manager needs to create a culture marked with candour and straight talk. In the modern world, market information and ideas are precious and highly perishable commodities that need to be speedily exploited and acted upon in order to fully harness their value. Therefore, the organisational communication lines must be short, direct and healthy.