Upwards and Downwards Communication

Upwards and downwards communication

Introduction

Communication is the key for any business function to execute properly. In today's world of business, it is said to be an important parameter in the maintenance, change and construction of an organization. There is an immense importance of the communication structure, when it comes to achieving greater member loyalty, (Smith and Brown, 1964).

Irrespective of the organizations, communication is an essential element that sustains and maintains relationships. Organizations are systems; therefore communication can have an impact which can be meaningful on the entire system. An individual's communication with the co workers and supervisors can be a major determining factor on his satisfaction level. Communication is a process, indicating that it is dynamic and agile. Communication changes in the organizational environment, as individuals change.

Individuals communicate to in order to gain the compliance of the other people in their surroundings, and in our case, the organization. These way communications help individuals engage other people behave in the manner they want them to, (Richmond et al 2005). In organizations communication is all about persuasion and delivering ideas, coupled with reporting daily tasks. All in all, individuals communicate to gain understanding. Communication helps in gaining information which is needed to understand the changes in the organizations.

In our discussions, we will be focusing on the upwards and downwards communication. We will be discussing the importance of such communication in organizations, and how it relates to correctional environments in the correctional institutes.

Discussion

Upwards Communication and its importance

This type of communication is initiated at the lower level of an organizational structure. Without it the management is not able to be in touch with the moods of the people who work for them. There may also be under estimation of the employees and moreover, the management may miss out the emerging issues in their market domains, (Tourish, 2005). This may lead the management to design strategies which do not align with the perceptions of their employees. This means that a two way communication and proper feedback is of immense importance to the organizations, as it the question of success.

The success can only be ensured if the higher levels of management are willingly playing their role. Otherwise communication cannot be successful. The characteristics of upward communications that are likely to influence communication are that it should be positive, it should support current policies, and it should be timely, should be directed at the proper person and should not be stopped in between.

Communication must be positive, as it is then more likely to move up the system, unlike negative communication. However what concerns most managers is that the negative information is suppressed. Only the positive communication is sent upwards. This way the top management may not have a vivid picture of what goes around in the organization.

Appropriate timing matters a lot. It allows the message to travel up the organization and acted upon. Timely management of messages is important as it gives management ample time to consider the issues ...