Organizational Communication Flow: How to Make the Most of Upward, Downward, & Lateral Communication in Organizations (Business Communication Solutions Book 1)

Important Message?

Think Strategically

Do you have an important business or workplace message? Increase the chances your message will get attention it needs by going with the flow.

In this concise booklet (eight standard pages in print format) we look at the four main types of communication flow in organizations, whether in businesses or not-for-profit organizations.

• First, downward, or enabling, communication that moves instructions or instructional information down or through a hierarchy. It's the type of communication we use when we want to get something done.
• Second, upward, or compliance, communication that provides feedback to the people who originated the downward communication. It allows us to report to the people above us in the hierarchy.
• Third, lateral, or coordinating, communication that moves between peers to maintain or improve operational efficiency.
• Fourth, the grapevine, which fills in gaps in official communication and provides answers to unaddressed questions.

Next time you set out to communicate an important message, spend a moment reflecting on the types of communication available to you, and how you can use them.

Understanding that there are different flows of communication, and that each has a distinct set of functions and characteristics, is the first step toward mastery of organizational communication and getting through with your message.

Written for leaders and managers, Organizational Communication Flow aims to give you the essence of one important communication issue in about 10 minutes of easy reading.

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