There are 5 main types of communication flows in an organization: downward, upward, lateral/horizontal, external, and diagonal. Downward communication flows from higher to lower levels and is used by managers to transmit work information to employees. Upward communication flows from lower to higher levels and provides feedback and allows employees to share ideas. Lateral communication occurs at the same levels and coordinates work between departments. External communication occurs between an organization and outside entities. Diagonal communication bypasses vertical/horizontal channels and allows direct communication between different departments.

1. Communication Flows in an
Organization
PUNEET SURI,DEVESH VERMA,MOHIT MISHRA,
POORVA RATHORE,ABIN BABU

4. › Downward Flow Of Communication.
› Upward Flow Of Communication.
› Lateral / Horizontal Communication.
› External Communication.
› Diagonal Communication.

5.  Communication that flows from a higher level in an
organization to a lower level is a downward
communication.
 Communication from superiors to subordinates in a chain
of command is a downward communication.
 This communication flow is used by the managers to
transmit work-related information to the employees at lower
levels.

6.  Feedback on performance
 Job instruction
 Understanding about jobs, duties
 Organization’s mission and vision
 Areas of attention
Authoritative & directive

7.  Communication that flows to a higher level in an
organization is called upward communication.
 It provides feedback on how well the organization is
functioning.
 The subordinates use upward communication to convey
their problems and performances to their superiors.

8.  It can also be used by the employees to share their views
and ideas and to participate in the decision-making
process.
 The managers get to know about the employees feelings
towards their jobs, peers, supervisor and organization in
general.
 The subordinates use upward communication to convey
their problems and performances to their superiors.

9.  Communication that takes place at same levels of
hierarchy in an organization is called lateral
communication.
 It decreases misunderstanding between departments
working on the same project, thereby increasing efficiency
and productivity.
 It may result in better implementation of top-level
decisions.
 This communication may take place as telephone calls,
informal discussions, gossip and meetings set up by the
group.

10.  Horizontal channel removes jealousy, misunderstanding,
etc. among the persons of equal status in the organization.
 Horizontal communication is generally oral and personally,
the chances of misunderstanding are much less as the
feedback is immediate.

11.  External communication is an informal exchange of
information and message between an organization and
other organizations, groups or individuals outside its
formal structure.
 Objectives of external communication is to keep a link
with banks, insurance and other financial institutions.
 To obey the rules and regulations of the government
there must be a external communication relation with
government agencies.

12.  External communication is necessary to contract with
customers to know the likes and dislikes of its customers.
 There must be a good relation between the firm and its
suppliers in order to collect raw material or finished goods
to run the business.
 External communication typically includes email,
brochures, posters, advertisements and social media.

13. › Diagonal communication refers to communication between
managers and workers located in different functional
divisions .
› Although both vertical and horizontal communication
continue to be important, these terms no longer adequately
capture communication needs and flows in most modern
organizations.
› The concept of diagonal communication was introduced to
capture the new communication challenges associated with
new organizational forms, such as matrix and project-
based organizations

14. › Employees often supplement diagonal communication with
vertical communication to ensure superiors and
subordinates are kept in the loop.
› As horizontal and vertical channels are bypassed, cross-
functional relationships are built and ties are established
between superiors and subordinates.
› For example, an accounting department manager may
communicate with a marketing department regional
manager to increase the efficiency of a particular decision-
making process.