Horizontal flow of communication, also known as lateral communication, refers to the exchange of information and ideas between individuals or groups at the same organizational level. It is in contrast to vertical communication, which refers to the flow of information between different levels of an organization, such as between management and employees.
There are several advantages to using horizontal communication in an organization. For one, it allows for the sharing of information and ideas more quickly, as it bypasses the need for information to go up and down the chain of command. This can help to facilitate decision-making and problem-solving, as all relevant parties have access to the same information.
In addition, horizontal communication can help to build a sense of teamwork and collaboration within an organization. When individuals at the same level are able to communicate and work together effectively, it can lead to increased efficiency and productivity. It also promotes a sense of inclusivity and equality within an organization, as all members are able to contribute and have their ideas heard.
There are also some potential drawbacks to horizontal communication. It can sometimes lead to confusion, as there may be multiple channels of communication and conflicting information may be shared. Additionally, it may be difficult to ensure that all relevant parties are included in the communication, leading to the potential for important information to be missed.
Overall, horizontal communication can be an effective tool for organizations to facilitate teamwork, collaboration, and efficient decision-making. However, it is important for organizations to have clear communication guidelines and protocols in place to ensure that information is shared accurately and effectively.
Types of Communication
It's designed for engaging your workforce to connect, communicate, and collaborate with your employees. While these two forms of communication are unidirectional, diagonal communication is a multi-directional communication that involves the use of several methods including horizontal, upward and downward. Advantages Horizontal communication presents some distinct advantages. Horizontal communication allows employees from different departments to cooperate in a collaborative work environment for the smooth functioning of the business and quick problem-solving. Horizontal communication facilities coordination of various departmental activities so that organization can reach its ultimate goal. Though oral communication is more prominent in the horizontal system, written communication also plays a vital role.
What is horizontal communication? Tools to use for improvement
Also known as lateral communication, this type of communication includes employees who work together in the same area, as well as employees who work in different departments. Horizontal communication can be effective when the communication is understandable by others, employees take the time to understand other workers and process the information, engagement is encouraged throughout the organization, and when employees follow up with issues or matters discussed in meetings. The average employee spends an estimated 30 percent of the workweek managing e-mail and nearly 20 percent looking for internal information across siloed applications. On the one hand, horizontal communication can be applied in many situations within a company. Business is highly dependent on both the internal and external factors of the situation. This is the present way of communication. As a result, some doubts or problems are solved, about any task that needs attention.