Advantages of Downward Communication
Downward communication benefits the organization in many different ways. Through this communication, superiors provide necessary information and directives to the subordinates. The major advantages of downward communication are highlighted below:
Delegating authority and responsibility: Delegation means entrusting the subordinates with some responsibilities along with due authority, it is essential to make the subordinates capable in performing their jobs. Since downward communication starts from higher level, it helps managers in delegating authority and responsibility to the right persons.
Maintaining discipline: Downward communication occurs inconformity with officially recognized rules and regulations. So it helps in establishing official discipline in the organization.
Increasing efficiency: Downward communication provides necessary guidance, orders. Instructions and explanations of various complex issues to the subordinates that ultimately increase the efficiency of the employees.
Informing organizational plans and procedures: In an organization, the top-level executives develop the plans, policies, strategies, procedures etc. Downward communication plays a significant role in communicating those plans, policies, strategies and procedures to the lower levels of the organization.
Explaining the complex issues: Sometimes subordinates need explanation of organizational policies and procedures. In such situations, managers rely on downward communication to provide necessary explanations and analysis.
Issuing orders and instructions: Downward communication is the only means to circulate various orders, instructions, guidance and advices to the subordinates. Without downward communication, organization is like a boat without boatman.
Avoiding by-passing of hierarchy: Downward communication takes place by following the established chain of command of the organization. Thus, it reduces the chance of sending message to someone through by-passing the immediate subordinate.
Maintaining good labor-management relationship: Downward communication helps to create and maintain good labor-management relationship in the organization. When the top-level executives communicate with their subordinates sincerely and courteously, it develops good interpersonal and inter-group relationships between management and workers. In turn, this will motivate the employees and ensure good labor management relation in the organization.
In conclusion, we can say that downward communication ties together the entire organization and ensures the achievement of organizational goats.
