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Contrast downward, upward,
and lateral communication [C2]
-
Directions of communication
1. Downward communication
2. Upward communication
3. Lateral communication
Downward communication
Messages flowing downwards to a lower level in an organizational hierarchy,
usually from superiors to subordinate.
Group leaders and managers use it to assign goals, provide job instructions,
explain policies and procedures, point out problems that need attention, and
offer feedback.
Generally effective when upper levels of management are highly motivated to
make it work.
Managers must explain the reasons why a decision was made, because
evidence indicates that explanations increase employee commitment and the
support of decisions. Managerial communications must be repeated several
times and through a variety of different media to be truly effective.
One-way nature ⇒ Generally, managers inform employees but rarely solicit
their advice or opinions. People need to be respected and listened to. The way
advice is solicited also matters. Employees will not provide input, even when
conditions are favourable, if doing so seems against their best interests.
Delivery mode and the context of the information exchange are of high
importance.
Contrast downward, upward, and lateral communication [C2] - 1
, Ultimate downward communication ⇒ performance review.
Elements that flow downward in organizations
Job instruction
Conveying information to subordinates about what they are
expected do
Can be carried out by various means like direct orders, written
memos, workshops on how to do job, etc
Should be precise and applied directly to one’s job
Rationale
Explanation of a duty or assignment and how it is compatible with
what the personnel are already doing
Can be carried out by various oral or written methods
Ideology
Philosophy of organization
When everyone has the same or similar ideals or goals,
communications becomes easier
Many organizations have written ideology they give to new
employees when they are hired
Information
Concerned with acquainting employees with general bits of
knowledge that they need to know like regulations, changes in
benefits, and general policies
Usually is of informative nature
Does not require response from employee
Feedback
Manager’s way of giving employees infor about how they are doing
Can take many forms like salary increase or decrease, pat on the
back, termination notice, smile or frown
Contrast downward, upward, and lateral communication [C2] - 2
Contrast downward, upward,
and lateral communication [C2]
-
Directions of communication
1. Downward communication
2. Upward communication
3. Lateral communication
Downward communication
Messages flowing downwards to a lower level in an organizational hierarchy,
usually from superiors to subordinate.
Group leaders and managers use it to assign goals, provide job instructions,
explain policies and procedures, point out problems that need attention, and
offer feedback.
Generally effective when upper levels of management are highly motivated to
make it work.
Managers must explain the reasons why a decision was made, because
evidence indicates that explanations increase employee commitment and the
support of decisions. Managerial communications must be repeated several
times and through a variety of different media to be truly effective.
One-way nature ⇒ Generally, managers inform employees but rarely solicit
their advice or opinions. People need to be respected and listened to. The way
advice is solicited also matters. Employees will not provide input, even when
conditions are favourable, if doing so seems against their best interests.
Delivery mode and the context of the information exchange are of high
importance.
Contrast downward, upward, and lateral communication [C2] - 1
, Ultimate downward communication ⇒ performance review.
Elements that flow downward in organizations
Job instruction
Conveying information to subordinates about what they are
expected do
Can be carried out by various means like direct orders, written
memos, workshops on how to do job, etc
Should be precise and applied directly to one’s job
Rationale
Explanation of a duty or assignment and how it is compatible with
what the personnel are already doing
Can be carried out by various oral or written methods
Ideology
Philosophy of organization
When everyone has the same or similar ideals or goals,
communications becomes easier
Many organizations have written ideology they give to new
employees when they are hired
Information
Concerned with acquainting employees with general bits of
knowledge that they need to know like regulations, changes in
benefits, and general policies
Usually is of informative nature
Does not require response from employee
Feedback
Manager’s way of giving employees infor about how they are doing
Can take many forms like salary increase or decrease, pat on the
back, termination notice, smile or frown
Contrast downward, upward, and lateral communication [C2] - 2
