30 of April, 2025

Currently, different types of communication within organizations can be found. Internal communication is vital to establishing and maintaining proper coordination amongst the entire workforce. Downward and upward communication are two widely implemented alternatives in relation to the communication used within an organization. In this article, you will learn what each of them is and how you can improve them.

Before getting into the matter, we must mention that, thanks to technology, we can find specialized software with which a company’s internal communication can be optimized. In this case, we can mention as an example Sesame, which is a human resources software that has different tools to manage communication in a company and improve it in every way.

Different types of internal communication

According to the order of the company, we can talk about two specific types of communication. One of them is carried out from the management area towards the employees, we refer to downward communication. On the other hand, upward communication starts from the workers towards the people who hold management positions in the company. In this way, when business communication reaches a high level of trust, we can refer to horizontal communication.

Downward and upward communication

Downward communication

Downward communication is the one carried out by the different executives of a company towards their employees. Through it, executives are able to transmit knowledge, delegate responsibilities, propose goals and objectives, promote the personal growth of each employee, etcetera. However, for there to be correct communication, two important aspects must be taken into account:

Trust. The ideal communication of an organization is measured by the trust that exists in it. Trust allows each individual to fulfill their task, while also fostering creativity, responsibility, and security of each employee.
Leadership. Downward communication genuinely depends on the abilities of people to direct others. Also on their orientation, empathy, among others. Their example will largely determine whether the goals are correctly transmitted and whether employees embody the values of the organization. If workers in managerial positions do not set a good example and do not communicate clearly and specifically, it will be very complicated to speak of effective communication.

Upward communication

A correct upward communication is a consequence of an effective link between workers and managers. If at the time when this type of communication from workers to managers has not been any motivation, it will not be possible to communicate. This, in function of the same objectives and values.

Advantages. Upward communication is mainly based on trust. It promotes the healthy growth of each employee and creates upward feedback. This helps us correct and improve flaws at higher levels. It also encourages creativity and promotes personal initiative.
Disadvantages. If there is not good upward communication due to the absence of leadership in downward communication, employees may make mistakes such as lack of sincerity, criticism, poorly done work, among others. On the other hand, they can also hinder teamwork and deteriorate the company’s goals.

Differences between downward and upward communication

The type of downward communication is the most common, that is, the one that is most handled within companies.
Upward communication starts from employees who occupy the lower grades of the company on the organizational chart to the highest ranks. On the other hand, downward communication begins in reverse. The executives of the company are the ones who send the information to the employees who make up the lower areas or departments.
Downward communication seeks to inform about the responsibilities and tasks that all human capital must perform. Also to control how activities are carried out and propose different orientation programs, if necessary. It should be noted that this type of internal communication also serves to convey the most relevant values of the company and provide updated information to employees about what happens within the company.
Finally, the goal or objective of upward communication is to display employees’ suggestions regarding the company. On the other hand, it also aims to cooperate in specific problems, provide solutions, even if they are related to problems originated in other areas of the company. In short, try to express the opinion of the workers and expose the most essential needs they have in order to be heard by superiors.

How to improve downward communication?

Allow employees to know each other and foster trust. It is very difficult to know a bad executive, in most cases, people just need to know each other better. When people end up knowing each other more broadly, there are many myths that tend to fall.
Do not create additional obligatory information. More than one communication per week to read is a lot of information, therefore, the company will not be able to digest it properly.
Differentiate information. You should differentiate what are business communications from the information that you do want to read.
Enter the information at the right time. We all know that informal information travels at the speed of light, therefore, formal information must be agile and quick.

How to improve upward communication?

Do not associate with people who say what you want to hear to your face and say other things behind your back, this is the worst that can happen. You should dispense with staff who do not say things directly.
Publicly award those who give negative feedback through official channels. Among these are: meetings, blogs, advice, forums, among others.

In conclusion, downward and upward communication are two types of internal communication very relevant in any company. The managers of the same are the ones who must choose under what type of communication they want to be based on and begin to implement different alternative strategies for their optimization.

HR professional with experience in building strong 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 among HR leaders. As the founder of the 𝐇𝐑 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 and 𝐇𝐑 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, I leverage my 15+ years of experience to enhance the professional landscape for HR leaders.

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tiagosantos

HR Content Specialist

How to improve downward and upward communication in a company?