Types of Communication

Types of Communication

Organisational communication may be either formal or informal in nature.

Formal communications

Formal communications are those which flow through formally established channels as depicted in the formal organisational chart, and are concerned with work related matters. All orders, instructions and decisions are communicated to the subordinates through this channel. Formal communications can flow in three different directions – downward, upward, and horizontal or laterally among various departments.

Downward communications

Downward communication are those communications that flow from superiors to subordinates. Through downward communication, the superior direct the efforts of his subordinates, defines the goals, and objectives of the organisation to them.

Upward communications

Flow from the subordinates to the superiors, and are usually known as feedback. These enables the management to assess how far the downward communication has reached, understood, accepted, and carried out. These can help the management to know the employee grievances and receive valuable suggestions from the people at lower levels.

Horizontal or lateral communications

Refers to the communications across the subordinates who are working at the same level in the organisation. Such communications help coordinate the activities of different departments.

Informal communication

Informal communication or the ‘grapevine’ as it is commonly known flows through the structure less network that develops spontaneously within any organisation. People who know each other are bound to talk and most often they talk about the organisation where they work. Employees want to know what is going on in the organisation and when they lack the information they seek it from others. The grapevine carries two types of information – work related and people related.

Difference between formal and informal communication