Dimensions of communication
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Transcript Dimensions of communication
•Within the organization communication may flow
downward /upward/horizontally or diagonally
•Downward occurs whenever messages flow from top of
the organization through various levels to the bottom of the
organization
•Types of downward communication
1.Job Procedures/instructions:-direction of what to do or
how to do the things-The performance appraisal must be
completed by 1st of December 2008(instruction)
2.Job rational:-Explanation of purpose of doing a task in a
certain way-We ensure that subordinates complete their
self assessment and are ready for their assessment
Downward communication
The problems
-when communication passes through various
hierarchical channels it gets distorted by the time it
reaches the targeted person
-sender different level of understanding than the
receiver
-receiver interprets the message differently and is not
what the sender intends
-very often in practice communication hindered by the
recipient not having the ability to understand the
communication
Downward communication
The message may also be insufficient or unclear
-example-communication quoting the location of the
meeting without any instruction how to find the
location
The message could be too big to be fully understood in
the time available
-example a manager attempting to explain too much of
a complex task at a time- result may be
confusion/worst exasperation
-message passes through many channels –will get
delayed or lost
These problems do not undermine the importance of
the downward communication
Upward communication
Messages flowing from subordinates to superiors are
termed as upward communication
“We will have the job done by tomorrow ”-is a reply to
an enquiry from the boss
“I have figured a way to perform this task in a shorter
time” –suggestions for improvement from
subordinates to superiors
“I am getting frustrated I have been working in the
same job for over a year now & want more
responsibility”-subordinates feelings to the boss
Upward communication
Upward communication is important because it helps
the top management in knowing about
-attitudes/behaviour/opinions/activities/feelings of
the employees on the job
On the basis of such knowledge and information the
management may improve its behaviour/introduce
motivational plans /improve controlling functions
Subordinates get an outlet for their
grievances/suggestions and opinions
-The employees feel that they are contributing towards
the goals of the organization
Upward communication
Despite the importance of upward communication
employees find it difficult to participate in it
-Being frank with superiors can be risky-when the news is
not what the boss wants to hear
Busy superiors may also be too occupied to pay attention to
employees
Responsibility to make the upward communication
successful is with the managers/They begin the process
and announce their willingness to hear
-open door policy/grievance procedure/periodic
interviews/group meetings/suggestion scheme
Informal channels-effective if managers will genuinely
value the ideas
Horizontal & Lateral
This is a communication between persons of the same
hierarchical level
The main objective of this type of communication is to
co ordinate the efforts of different but related activities
It is between members of the same division of an
organization/in the same department/co workers on a
construction project-the contractor cell calls the
personnel department to verify & certify the
contractors payment
Examples“-Lets go together this afternoon and set up a
production schedule”-task coordination
HORIZONTAL
“It takes a week for my unit to get reports from yours
how can we speed things up”-problem solving
“Tax relaxation are being offered by the government in
the coming budget let us wait till that”-information
sharing
“I heard that you were complaining about my work to
the boss If you are not happy I wish you would tell me
first”-conflict resolution
I liked the way you solved the conflict –building
rapport
Horizontal
Horizontal communication helps in coordinating the
activities of different departments at the same level
-The departmental heads may sit together and thrash
out problems /wastage of time /money/labour and
materials
The main problem is the difference in approach and
vision of different functionaries who look at things
from their own angles
Diagonal/Spiral or Crosswise
Diagonal communication cuts across functions and
levels in an organization
-when a supervisor in the credit department
communicates directly with a regional marketing
manager-who is in a different department and also
higher level in the organization
-Why would individuals resort to diagonal
communication?
-Answer is efficiency and speed/new bonus scheme
-In some situations by passing vertical and horizontal
channels it expedites action and prevents others from
being used merely as a mediator between sender &
receiver
Diagonal
Increased use of electronic mail system in
organizations has made diagonal communication
much easier
Major problem with this form of communication
-it departs from the normal chain of command
-to minimize the communication gaps most diagonal
communication also encompass a vertical
communication to superiors /subordinates who may
have been bypassed
Conclusion
Communication is required at every level from every
direction depending upon situational need
Formal network channel facilitate the flow of
information in every direction –
downward/upward/horizontal and diagonal
Although communication along every dimension
entails its own merits and problems
We cannot do without any of them