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Definition of diagonal communication
“Diagonal communication refers to communication that occurs between individuals or groups at different levels or functions in an organization.” – Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. Organizational behavior.
What is diagonal communication?
Diagonal communication, also known as crosswise communication, is a type of business communication where the exchange of information occurs between individuals or teams who are not in the same department or at the same level in the organization.
The diagonal flow of communication allows people from different departments to talk to each other, even if they don’t work directly together. This helps information flow across different departmental lines and encourages collaboration.
In modern organizations, diagonal communication facilitates tackling challenges in ways vertical and horizontal communication cannot.
During the various stages of production, one department may require assistance from another department. Individuals from different departments can also be put into a task team to carry forward special objectives.
Moreover, diagonal communication in an organization is used to ensure different teams in the organization are adhering to the overall goals of the company.
Characteristics of diagonal communication
A diagonal communication network has the following characteristics:
1) No line of command: It allows individuals in the organization with no direct reporting relationship to interact with each other. Messages can be transmitted from one level to another by anyone in the organization.
2) Inter-departmental communication: One of the main purposes of diagonal communication is inter-departmental communication. Different departments in a company can communicate and coordinate with each other to reach common goals.
3) Extended recommendations: A key characteristic of diagonal communication is that it helps in finding solutions and recommendations by seeking assistance from other departments and managers with extensive knowledge bases and experience.
4) Speed: Diagonal communication channel improves the speed of informational flow in an organization. Messages are transmitted quickly as there are no formalities as such to be followed and the channel of communication is mostly oral.
5) Crosswise Communication: Communication is not vertical or horizontal in nature. It is rather a hybrid of both. This allows flexibility and provides a broader range of communication.
The function of diagonal communication
- Improves Cross-Functional Knowledge Sharing: Diagonal communication helps employees gain a better understanding of the different functions within an organization, leading to improved collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Facilitates Conflict Resolution: diagonal relationship can help resolve conflicts by enabling employees to communicate directly with those at different levels or departments.
- Enhances Customer Service: Diagonal communication enables employees to share information about customer needs and preferences across different departments, leading to better customer service.
- Facilitates Change Management: Diagonal communication helps organizations manage change by enabling employees to understand the need for change and providing a platform for feedback and input.
Importance of diagonal communication
Diagonal management is critical for any business or organization as it facilitates the flow of information across different departments and levels, and promotes collaboration and teamwork.
key reasons why diagonal communication is important:
1) Enhances Understanding: Diagonal communication can help individuals to better understand the goals, challenges, and perspectives of other departments or teams within an organization. This can lead to better alignment and coordination across the organization.
2) Increased innovation: Diagonal communication can foster innovation by bringing together individuals from different parts of an organization who may have different backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives.
3) Better decision-making: Diagonal communication ensures that decision-makers have access to all the relevant information and perspectives before making a decision. This helps to avoid biased decision-making and ensures that decisions are made based on objective data and analysis.
4) Fosters cross-functional teamwork: Diagonal communication facilitates cross-functional teamwork by enabling individuals to gain a better understanding of the bigger picture and how their work contributes to the broader organizational goals.
5) Improves organizational culture: Diagonal communication helps to break down silos and create a more open and inclusive organizational culture. When individuals believe they can communicate effectively with others within the organization, they are more likely to experience a sense of value and engagement in their work.
Types of diagonal communication
Diagonal communication is a cross between horizontal and vertical communication as it uses common elements from both. In an organization, an employee can communicate with another individual on a similar level in another department (horizontal communication) or interact with a manager from another sector of the business (vertical communication).
Diagonal communication relates to horizontal and vertical communication in the following types:
- Horizontal Communication: Diagonal communication may move laterally in the form of an employee communicating with another employee of similar status from another department. For example, a subordinate from the sales team may interact with a co-worker from the marketing department. This interaction can be formal in nature or part of informal communication.
- Vertical Communication: Diagonal communication can move vertically in an organization in the form of a subordinate of one department communicating with a manager of a separate department.
There are two types of vertical communication:
- Upward communication: Upward communication flows from bottom to top, i.e, from a subordinate to a superior. In relation to diagonal communication, a trainee or subordinate from one department can consult a manager or a higher-ranking employee from another department for assistance.
Related Reading:
What Is Upward Communication A Detailed Guide With Examples
Upward Communication: Advantages & Disadvantages With Examples
- Downward communication: Downward communication in an organization has an upward to downward flow. This occurs when superiors communicate with subordinates. This can happen diagonally as well in the form of a manager from one department interacting with a subordinate that directly does not work under them.
Related Reading:
Example of diagonal communication in an organization
Example:1.0
When a supply chain manager in an organization communicates with the finance manager to prepare an audit report of the inventory used within the last financial year.
Example:2.0
To prepare a new sales training program the HR executives interact with Sr. line sales managers from the sales department for training modules and territory requirements.
Example:3.0
The Operations head sends a message to field supervisors for creating a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for the new line of machinery attached.
Example:4.0
The performance marketing analyst from the digital marketing department conducts a meeting with the CFO of the company to discuss the budget for the upcoming quarter’s of marketing camping.
Example:5.0
When a talent acquisition head demands the list of additional manpower requirements from manufacturing department executives.
Diagram of diagonal communication
How is diagonal communication applied in an organization?
Diagonal communication is highly beneficial in a large organization as there are multiple departments, each carrying out its own set of tasks. This gives rise to a larger communication network between various managers and teams.
It benefits a company in reaching its goals when there is interdependence between different sectors. This helps in increasing work coordination and achieving tasks faster.
Diagonal communication makes room for assistance on issues and project matters from other departments and capable workers.
For instance, a crosswise communication situation example could be, a sales executive reaching out to a manager or subordinate from the marketing team to seek information in order to come up with an effective sales pitch.
Advantages of diagonal communication in an organization
Diagonal communication offers the following merits to an organization:
1) The foremost benefit of diagonal communication is that it is considered to be a direct, fast, and selective method of communication.
2) Spreads messages quicker as compared to other methods of communication.
3) It enables capable and smart individuals from other departments to contribute and provide assistance with problems.
4) It facilitates interdependence between different departments leading to better cooperation for carrying out large goals.
5) Diagonal communication can be used to interlink high-performing individuals from different departments and create task teams for special objectives.
Disadvantages of diagonal communication in an organization
Diagonal communication has the following demerits:
1) The foremost limitation of diagonal communication is that It does not follow the official line of command and disrupts organizational structure.
2) Diagonal communication may lead to the spread of misinformation and incomplete data.
3) Diagonal communication can lead to confusion and distortion of the message as it can be delivered by anyone of any rank.
4) Diagonal coordination may lead to grapevine formation and gossip.
5) The organization can find it difficult to monitor diagonal communication.
Why is a diagonal channel of communication not popular?
Diagonal communication implies the direction of communication in a crosswise direction. This reason results in the formation of grapevine information that cannot be effectively monitored by the organization.
A diagonal organizational structure may also give birth to gossip and the spread of biased opinions and misinformation. Information can flow freely from any individual of any rank, therefore sometimes, it can cause distortion of facts due to a lack of understanding, poor reporting skills, etc.
Difference between horizontal, vertical, and diagonal communication
Difference Criteria | Horizontal Communication | Vertical Communication | Diagonal Communication |
Flow | Lateral flow | Upward or downward flow | Crosswise flow |
Purpose | Peer to peer communication | Superior to subordinate communication | Communication between different departments |
Chain of command | Does not follow organizational hierarchy | Follows a hierarchical structure | Follows no line of command |
Distortion | Free of distortion | Message may be distorted during transmission | Can be distorted in certain cases |
Medium | Mostly done in oral format | Often done in written official manner | Done both orally and in writing depending on purpose |
Similarities between diagonal and horizontal communication
Diagonal communication and horizontal communication share the following similarities:
- Both forms of communication can be oral or written in nature.
- Both horizontal and diagonal communication are forms of internal communication.
- They both achieve the common purpose of creating a system of effective communication in the workspace.
- Horizontal and diagonal communication use the same elements of communication to facilitate the flow of information.
What is horizontal communication?
Horizontal communication is also known as lateral communication. In this type of business communication, information flows between individuals on the same level in the organizational structure.
In this peer-to-peer form of communication, the channel of communication used is usually informal and is mostly free from distortion of information. Both lateral and diagonal communication encourages collaboration between employees who work in different areas of the organization
Check out our in-depth guide on what is horizontal communication to know more.
What is vertical communication?
Vertical communication in an organization follows the hierarchical chain of command. It refers to communication that flows either upward or downward. Upward communication implies communication from down to top (subordinates to superiors) and downward communication implies the transmission of information from top to bottom (superiors to subordinates).
Managers giving instructions and tasks to subordinates and receiving feedback from them comes under the banner of vertical communication.
Must Read: Check out our detailed guide on what is Vertical Communication: Examples, Types & Importance
What are the 7 C’s of Communication?
The 7 C’s of communication are a set of principles that are applied to oral and written forms of communication to achieve maximum efficiency. They are:
- Completeness: The information provided in the communication process should be complete and contain all required facts and figures.
- Conciseness: The content should not be wordy and should only be communicated in as few words as possible.
- Consideration: The communicator must factor in the audience’s background, point of view, education level, etc. while communicating information to them.
- Clarity: The information communicated should be clear and specific to the context of the information.
- Concreteness: The message exchanged from sender to receiver must not be confusing and hazy. It should be to the point.
- Courtesy: The tone in which the information is conveyed should be polite and courteous to the listener/reader.
- Correctness: The content should be free from grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
Must Read: 10 Principles of Effective Business Communication With Examples & 7C’s
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) What is diagonal communication in business communication
Ans: Diagonal communication in business communication refers to the exchange of information and messages between individuals who are not directly connected through the formal hierarchy or chain of command in an organization.
Q2) Can letters be used for diagonal communication within an organization?
Ans: Yes, letters can be used for diagonal communication within an organization. While letters are often thought of as a more traditional form of communication, they can still be a useful tool for communicating with employees who are at different levels or departments within an organization.
Q3) Is diagonal communication formal?
Ans: Diagonal communication can be both formal and informal depending on the channel of communication the sender uses to contact the receiver. It can happen in an informal manner in the form of a face-to-face conversation at lunch or by use of formal means such as the communication section in the company portal.
Q4) What is the other name for diagonal communication?
Ans: Crosswise communication and Cross-functional communication are the two other names for diagonal communication.
