Communication on the basis of direction can be categorized into Horizontal, Vertical, and Diagonal.

1. Horizontal Communication

• In this, Exchange of information and message takes place with people at the same hierarchy.
• People involved in this communication are peers and colleagues at the same level.
• In this form of communication, a person of the same rank of the different organization or same organization is involved.
• The communication here could be both formal and informal.
• This communication helps in building teams in an organization because it is not stalled by any chain of command.
• This form of communication is also called lateral communication.

2. Vertical Communication

• This form of communication involves the exchange of information and message between the person of different ranks.
• In this, there is a hierarchy involved in exchanging messages.
• One communicator will be superior to another within the same department or organization.
• This form of communication can be further divided into upward and downward.

Upward Communication

• In this form of vertical communication, message, or information flow to higher authority from lower authority.
• It makes the organization effective because the upper authority is open to communication with lower authority.
• Feedback, suggestions, and grievances are asked from lower authority by higher authority.
• This form of communication becomes ineffective when Higher authorities do not encourage or hesitate to communicate with lower authority.

Downward communication

• In this form of vertical communication, message, or information flow from Higher authority to lower authority.
• In this communication goes in the form of instructions, directions, assessment, performance, explaining, etc.
• This communication becomes ineffective when there is a loss of information or if it consumes time.

3. Diagonal Communication

• In this form of communication, there is no hierarchy involved.
• The free flow of communication takes place between different departments and organizations.
• This form is communication is effective because it helps in building bonding and relationship in the organization across all departments.

Communication on the basis of purpose

1. Formal Communication

• This form of communication takes place in offices, government departments, and any other professional organization.
• Certain rules, regulations, and conventions are followed for transmitting orders, instructions, plans, policies, etc.
• Information flow in the most systematic way.
• In this communication, language and etiquettes matter the most. The right language has to be used.
• It could be time-consuming because of all the formalities.
• This form of communication direction could be Horizontal, Vertical, and Diagonal.

2. Informal Communication

• This form of communication takes place with friends and family.
• There are no formal rules and regulations and communication is mostly free-flowing.
• This is termed as Grapevine because it can lead to the spread of rumors, as the source of origination of the message is difficult to trace.
• This form of communication is efficient and it saves time.
• This form of communication direction could be Horizontal, Vertical, and Diagonal.

Communication Networks

1. Chain network

• In this communication, communication takes place through a formal chain of command.
• Members communicate with each other in a pre-planned sequence.

2. Wheel network

• In this communication, information flow from one center member to the rest of the members.
• It is also known as a star network because the information is flowing from the centre to all members like a star.

3. Circle Communication

• In this communication, members communicate with their fellow members abuout there experience, beliefs, ecpertise etc.
• In this, interaction is horizontal.

4. All-channel network

• In this communication, information flows in all directions.
• Frequency and interaction among members are high.

Questions on the above topics

1. Which of the following is/are true about Grapevine Communication?