Communication

Managers have to be good at a wide range of communication types and styles. Here, we’ll look at some of the common types of communication a manager needs to use.

Spoken and written communication

Managers need to be very good at leading, directing and motivating staff. To do this, they need clear spoken communication. A large part of a manager’s job also involves writing and reading reports and communicating by email.

Horizontal and vertical communication

In an organisation communication can be horizontal or vertical. Let’s look at what this means.

Horizontal communication

This is communication between organisational equals, for example between staff or managers at a similar level.

Vertical communication

This can be upwards or downwards.
Upwards communication is from staff to managers or from first-line managers to middle managers, and so on. This communication could be, for example, asking for clarification of orders, or reporting the progress of a task to a manager.
Downwards communication is often explanations of organisation policy or instructions about what to do.

The diagram below shows horizontal and vertical communication in a typical company. In a healthy organisation, there is good communication up, down and across.

Horizontal and vertical communication in a typical company

Vertical communication	CEO and Board
	Manufacturing	Sales	Administration
	Senior manager	Senior manager	Senior manager
	Middle managers	Middle managers	Middle managers
	Front-line managers
	Senior staff	Senior staff	Senior staff
	Staff	Staff	Staff
	Horizontal communication

Diagram 1: Horizontal and vertical communication - [D] Text equivalent

Negotiating plans and agreements

In negotiations, both sides must openly consider and negotiate the best outcome, and communication needs to be clear. These negotiations include:

• negotiating agreements with staff
• placing orders with third parties such as suppliers
• staff performance management.