descendant communication

In the path to turn the internal communication into a management tool, we need to think about its characteristics. Is time to analyze the descendant communication.
Everybody know what it means, and everybody know that it´s the most used channel of communication in companies, why? perhaps because it´s the one which requires lower effort. All kind of information is out through this channel and in most of the cases a feedback is not expected.

Another reason why this way of communication is more common than other ones, is that the followed direction is the same than the hierarchy one, from top to the bottom. When both “strength” , hierarchy and communication, work together, is easy to understand that they will reach every corner in the organization.

Knowing potentials of it, is important that we use them in a intelligent way. If we send only the useful and important information through this channel, we can make sure that we will reach the 100% of our team of professionals. Besides this, with the arise of IT, a lot of advantages that will make possible earning efficiency, are appearing..

But in spite of all these advantages, it´s necessary to talk about the main problems of this mean of communication.:

1. Usually the information sent in messages is too specific, related to a single project, or line product. Use to be orders, actions timelines, instructions or goals,

2. Strategic information is not often shared, even it is not a risk for the company.

3. Used to be organizational objectives oriented, and doesn´t promote motivation or satisfaction of employees. Descendent communication usually ignores that professionals will be active participants only if the information that they get about the organization, data and integrating communication is high.

4. Sometimes news related with the company appear through some channel different than internal communication.

5. Other problems often related are: ambiguity, imprecision, vague comments or contradiction in orders.

These and probably other ones, are some of the disadvantages of the descendant communication. The important is that we can identify and avoid them when we use this channel.