Efficient communication uses less time and fewer resources. Although efficient communication should use less time it is not always the most effective way to communicate. There are many types of communication and in order to communicate effectively everyone must know and understand the different types. There is formal communication, informal communication and nonverbal communication. Each type of communication is different and will be used when the situation is appropriate for a certain type of communication.
Formal communication has four subcategories of communication types.
The subcategories include downward, upward, horizontal, and diagonal communication. Each type of communication serves a different purpose and is used in more formal settings. Downward communication is used by managers to assign goals, provide job instructions, inform about policies, provide performance feedback, and to point out problems. This type of communication deals more with the manager communicating with employees. Upward communication is used to provide managers with information about current problems, updates on employees progress toward goals, suggestions for improvements, proposals for innovations, employee grievances, and feedback about employee attitudes.