Communication SkillsWeek 4

Flow of CommunicationInternal & External Flow of Communication•Upward Flow•Downward Flow•Horizontal Flow•Grapevine Flow

BY WARDAH AZHAR

Flow of Communication Information flows i-e, moves and transfers in an organization

• Internal flow• Flow of communication

i-e, information within the organization is called internal flow of communication.

• External flow• Flow of communication

i-e, information, from one organization to another is called external information.

Downward Flow of Communication:

• Communication that flows from a higher level in an organization to a lower level is a downward communication. In other words, 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. Employees require this information for performing their jobs and for meeting the expectations of their managers

Example

• The kinds of media used for downward oral communication include instructions, speeches, meetings, the telephone, loudspeakers, and even the grapevine. Examples of written downward communication are memoranda, letters, handbooks, pamphlets, policy statements, procedures, and electronic news displays. It is done to pass on the decisions and policies of the company to the cadres. Worst is the feedback about their work. This performance assesment is the trickiest part of downward communication.

Upward Flow of Communication:

• 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.

Lateral or Horizontal communication:

• Crosswise communication includes the horizontal flow of information, among people on the same or similar organizational levels, and the diagonal flow, among persons at different levels who have no direct reporting relationships.

Grapevine communication

Grapevine is an informal channel of business communication. It is called so because it stretches throughout the organization in all directions irrespective of the authority levels. Man as we know is a social animal. Despite existence of formal channels in an organization, the informal channels tend to develop when he/she interacts with other people in organization. It exists more at lower levels of organization.

Examples of Grapevine Network of Communication

• Suppose the profit amount of a company is known. Rumour is spread that this much profit is there and on that basis bonus is declared.

• CEO may be in relation to the Production Manager. They may have friendly relations with each other.

Difference b/w

Objective communication• Objective is a statement

that is completely unbiased. It is not touched by the speaker’s previous experiences or tastes. It is verifiable by looking up facts or performing mathematical calculations.

Subjective communication• Subjective is a statement

that has been colored by the character of the speaker or writer. It often has a basis in reality, but reflects the perspective through with the speaker views reality. It cannot be verified using concrete facts and figures.

examples

Objective communication

• scientific facts are objective as are mathematical proofs; essentially anything that can be backed up with solid data.

Subjective communication

• opinions, interpretations, and any type of marketing presentation are all subjective.