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INSTRUCTOR: Organizational communication can move in a variety of directions and be formal or informal in nature. Let's take a look at organizational communication.

Organizational communication is the exchange of information among two or more individuals or groups in an organization that creates a common basis of understanding and feeling. Downward communication occurs when higher level employees communicate to those at lower levels of the organization. Downward communication typically consists of messages about how to do a job, performance goals, a firm's policies, and how the company is performing.

Management by wandering around is a face to face management technique in which managers get out of their offices and spend time informally talking with employees throughout the organization. Being actively engaged in day to day operations of the business gives managers a feel for what's really going on around the organization.

Upward communication occurs when lower level employees communicate with those at higher levels. Encouraging upward communication can help managers check that subordinates understand their goals and instructions, keep managers informed of employee challenges and complaints, and cultivate acceptance and commitment by giving employees the opportunity to express ideas and suggestions.

Horizontal communication occurs when someone in the organization communicates with others at the same organizational level. Managers often depend on each other to help get the job done, and communication is necessary for them to coordinate resources and workflow. Although horizontal communication occurs between peers, as in all levels of organizational communication, it's best to stay professional and avoid confrontational words and negative body language.

When employees communicate across departments and levels, they are engaging in diagonal communication. Formal communications are official organizational sanctioned communications. They can be upward, downward, horizontal, or diagonal. Formal communication channels typically involve some sort of written communication that provides a permanent record of the exchange. Formal communication is usually interpreted accurately.

Informal communication is anything that's not official. Informal communications include gossip and answering another employee's questions about how to do something. A social network is the set of relationships among people connected through friendship, family, work, and other sites.

Organizational communication can move in a variety of directions and be formal or informal in nature. Communication paths can be downward, upward, horizontal, or diagonal. Social networks help to establish communication patterns in organizations.

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