Vertical Communication: 4 Types of Vertical Communication

Vertical communication is a business communication strategy in which information, tasks, and requests move upward and downward between senior management and lower-level employees. Vertical communication follows a strict chain of command and offers employees at all different levels a straightforward communication process.

In organizations that follow vertical communication, information tends to flow top-down, but there are also instances where information moves up and down the chain of command. Consider the following examples of vertical communication:

1. 1. Research findings: Employees may present research findings or data analytics to their superiors, who assess the information and float it upward to top management.
2. 2. Instructions: Higher-level management is typically in charge of decision-making and project management, so they will share information downward to assign teams tasks and provide deadlines.
3. 3. Performance reports: Higher-ups will share performance reports, generally on an annual or semiannual basis, with the employees they oversee. Senior managers may discuss an employee’s problem-solving skills, efficiency, and other professional elements of the worker’s job to note places of strength and improvement.
4. 4. Memos: Business leaders' news and special information will generally start at the top and disseminate via a company-wide email or newsletter. Alternatively, knowledge can pass down level by level through individual managers.

Vertical communication works best in larger corporations with hierarchical structures. Some advantages of this form of communication include:

1. 1. A transparent chain of command: Vertical communication helps employees know who to go to with their questions or concerns and from whom they will receive key information.
2. 2. Respect for boundaries: Clear communication channels allow each employee to fulfill their role and not take on more or less than what is defined for them by their supervisors and the organization at large.
3. 3. Open communication: If an employee has a challenging time with a coworker, they may raise the issue to their supervisor or to human resources as needed.

Some disadvantages of vertical communication include:

1. 1. Slow timeline: The flow of information can be slower in vertical communication systems. Approvals and sign-offs sometimes have to move through the organizational structure, delaying projects and new initiatives.
2. 2. Stifled creativity: If an employee wishes to change a system, offer a new idea, or act more independently, vertical communication structures can make this challenging.
3. 3. Power imbalance: If employees are having a challenging time with their manager, and their manager is also who they report issues to, the system may be broken. Those at the top can more easily silence subordinates and leave them powerless.
4. 4. Misinformation: The transmission of information between multiple employee levels can lead to distortion and miscommunication.

Follow these tips to make this type of communication style efficient and effective for everyone, regardless of their level:

1. 1. Assign clear deadlines. Upward communication, in particular, can be slow, so if subordinates need approvals or notes from managers, and managers from their supervisors, give clear deadlines so a project can stay on track.
2. 2. Hold regular meetings. To make vertical communication an effective communication strategy, subordinates and managers should be given plenty of opportunities to discuss their needs and raise questions. This will help establish clearer communication and foster greater trust.
3. 3. Offer opportunities for cross-level communication. If employees only correspond with their direct superiors, they may only understand one company facet. Larger organizational meetings and opportunities for lower-level employees to have facetime with higher-ups can paint a more precise picture of a company’s mission and give workers a chance to ask questions of those they may not usually collaborate with.
4. 4. Share information. Withholding information at the top or bottom can negatively impact all workers’ trust and workplace efficiency in this communication system.

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