Channels of Communication: Presented By

Channels of communication
Presented by:-
• Nirbhey Singh Pahwa
Communication to begin with.
• The word communication gets its origin from the Latin word “communis”.
• It literally means “to make common”.
• So when we communicate, we create a common bridge to exchange our

thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc.
• “Communication is the transmission and reception of ideas, feelings and attitudes both
verbally and non-verbally eliciting a response. It is a dynamic concept underlying all kinds
of living systems”
~Norman B Sigband.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL CHANNELS OF
COMMUNICATION
 There are precisely these two forms of communications in every
organisation.
 Formal communications are those which are bound with all rules and
regulations, Ex. Orders, notices, etc.
 Informal communication includes the non official or un-regulated

communications, Ex. Rumours, un-verified information
 They both exist simultaneously in an organisation.

FORMAL CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATIONS
 Every organisation has a formal set-up which they follow.
 The actual and valid information to be passed on.
 All formal communications are broadly classified as:

1)Horizontal communication.
2)Vertical communication:
(a)Downward communication.
(b)Upward communication.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
M.D.
Directors
down
Managers
Up
Officers
Supervisors
Workers/Clerks
HORIZONTAL COMMUNICATION
 The communication of same level.
 Uses both oral and written.

 Advantages of horizontal communication:
1. Horizontal communication improves the quality of team work.
2. Since horizontal communication means better co-ordination of individual
effort, it ensures greater efficiency and better results.
3. Effective horizontal communication helps to eliminate
misunderstanding, envy, and petty jealousies among people of equal status.
 Disadvantages of horizontal communication:

1. There may be a conflict between horizontal and vertical communication.
Horizontal communication takes place more frequently than communication
between seniors and juniors. So, a decision taken horizontally may go against
some instructions given by senior.
2. At higher managerial levels horizontal communication becomes difficult when
people engaged in specialised jobs use technical languages (Jargons).
3. Unless horizontal communication is tightly controlled and each person is made
actually aware of his responsibilities, a great deal of time may be wasted
VERTICAL COMMUNICATION
 Communication among different levels on the line of authority.
 Ex. A sectional manager speaking to general manager.

• Downward communication:
1. Traditional type of corporate communication.
M.D.
2. Downward communication takes place whenever a person
belonging to a higher position om=n the line of authority
Director
communicates with a person belonging to the lower levels of
the hierarchy.
Managers
3. Ex. Staff meetings, interviews, circular or notices, etc. Officers
Supervisors
Workers
 Advantages of downward communication:
1. It helps to maintain discipline within an organisation. Since the levels of
authority are determined and clear-cut, each person knows that he is
accountable to his immediate senior.
2. The seniors also know exactly the amount of authority they wield, and so they
are confident while issuing instructions and orders to juniors.
 Disadvantages of downward communication:

1. In downward communication the lines of communication are often too long.
2. Message gets distorted sometimes.
3. Some information is confidential and cannot be communicated downwards.

• Upward communication:
1. Flow of communication from lower levels to

higher levels. M.D.
Director
2. Upward communication is essential to managers
informed about the progress of the work. Managers
Officers
3. Ex. Supervisors advising officers.
Supervisors
Workers
4. In some organisations ‘open door’ policy is
followed.
 Advantages of upward communication:
1. It is a part of a two-way process which promotes better understanding between

management and employees.
2. Upward communication develops ‘employer-employee’ relations.
 Disadvantages of upward communication:
1. Only agreeable information is communicated upwards.
2. Upwards communication tends to travel slowly as it is diluted or edited at each

level before it is sent.
INFORMAL COMMUNICATION
 The rumour and random information.
• Grapevine Communication
1. Here the information flows in any order i.e. , no

horizontal or vertical flow of communication.
2. Spreads very rapidly in all channels of

communications.
3. It provides feedback to the organisation, reaches

everyone.
4. It can be harmful as information can be baseless.
5. It is mostly incomplete.
• Consensus:
1. Consensus means a common agreement of options.
2. However, a consensus decision doesn't mean that every

member of a group in his individual capacity agree
with the decision.
3. Consensus help to project the image of a united

organisation.
4. But a consensus only puts a lid on different of

opinions. It does not remove differences altogether.
5. At best, it is a ‘tool of convenience’.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORMAL AND
INFORMAL COMMUNICATION.
Sr. Formal communication Informal communication

No.
1. Formal communication is that which Informal communication, too ,

takes place within the line of operates in every organisation and
authority. Observing the norms ad carries communication which
conditions necessary to the hierarchy. doesn't arise out of the formal
channels of communication.
Informal discussion about rumours
an un-verified information.
2. Formal communication, in whichever Today this type of communication
direction its movers are always is recognized as integral part of
planed, dictated and guided. the communication structure of
every organization. This is known
as grapevine communication.
Any Questions Anyone?
• Still stuck in informal and formal channels of communications? Don’t worry
we are there to help.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING

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Channels of communication

• It literally means “to make common”.

• So when we communicate, we create a common bridge to exchange our

 Informal communication includes the non official or un-regulated

 They both exist simultaneously in an organisation.

 The actual and valid information to be passed on.

 All formal communications are broadly classified as:

 The communication of same level.

 Uses both oral and written.

 Disadvantages of horizontal communication:

 Ex. A sectional manager speaking to general manager.

3. Ex. Staff meetings, interviews, circular or notices, etc. Officers

 Disadvantages of downward communication:

2. Message gets distorted sometimes.

3. Some information is confidential and cannot be communicated downwards.

1. Flow of communication from lower levels to

1. It is a part of a two-way process which promotes better understanding between

2. Upward communication develops ‘employer-employee’ relations.

 Disadvantages of upward communication:

1. Only agreeable information is communicated upwards.

2. Upwards communication tends to travel slowly as it is diluted or edited at each

1. Here the information flows in any order i.e. , no

2. Spreads very rapidly in all channels of

3. It provides feedback to the organisation, reaches

4. It can be harmful as information can be baseless.

1. Consensus means a common agreement of options.

2. However, a consensus decision doesn't mean that every

3. Consensus help to project the image of a united

4. But a consensus only puts a lid on different of

5. At best, it is a ‘tool of convenience’.

Sr. Formal communication Informal communication

1. Formal communication is that which Informal communication, too ,

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