All innovative businesses are using diagonal communication!!! Know why
In modern business, you need good communication skills to succeed. That’s why we have three essential communication strategies here. These are vertical, horizontal and diagonal communication. Almost all business enthusiasts know about the first two kinds of communication.
But we rarely talk about diagonal communication. Mostly, we overlook it. But it can help in seamless collaboration between one hierarchy and another.
This blog will discuss diagonal communication in detail. At this site:voiceofaction.org, we will state its characteristics and purposes. You will also get to know about the objectives of this communication method. At the same time, we will use what is diagonal communication to understand its tangible advantages of diagonal communication in any business.
what is diagonal communication
Many readers want to know about diagonal communication in detail. So, let’s simplify the concept for them. This is a model where the exchange of information takes place. Often ideas and feedback are also exchanged among individuals.
In addition, remember that there are multiple hierarchies in any company. Some of them might not come under the organizational ladder directly. Students with communication degrees already know this concept.
Vertical communication is the simplest. It supports the up-and-down flow of information down the hierarchy ladder. But horizontal communication is different. Here, employees at the same level interact within themselves. But it may also cross the border to create cross functionality and increase synergy.
Characteristics Of Diagonal Communication
Diagonal communication is one of the most important forms of communication that businesses must know about. Some of its identifying traits are:
1. Cross-Functional Collaboration
People from different departments can participate in diagonal communication. So, it is also a helpful tool for cross-functional collaboration. You can share many perspectives through this tool.
2. Informal Nature
Like informal communication and verbal communication, this upward flow of communication often occurs informally through impromptu discussions, emails, or even casual conversations during breaks.
This informal communication is necessary as a stress reliever, helping employees regain their focus after a quick break with colleagues. Who wants to talk about serious issues and things when taking a break?
3. Flexibility
Diagonal communication is flexible and adaptive, allowing individuals to bypass the rigid chain of command and communicate directly with colleagues from other departments.
4. Speed And Efficiency
Since diagonal communication avoids the layers of the hierarchy of communication, it can lead to quicker decision-making and more efficient problem-solving.
Purpose And Objectives Of Diagonal Communication
The primary purpose of diagonal communication is to break down silos and foster a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation. It enables employees at various levels and departments to work together towards common goals.
The primary objectives of diagonal communication include:
1. Enhancing Cross-Functional Understanding
Do you want to know what challenges your colleagues face? You can try diagonal communication. It is an effective tool that employees from different departments can use together. Hence, it improves teamwork. It also reduces regular misunderstandings.
2. Accelerating Decision-Making
Do you want a communication method where information flows freely? Choose diagonal communication. You can convey decisions faster. Meanwhile, essential people in the company can easily communicate their viewpoints using this method.
In any company, a message flows from one hierarchy to another. But diagonal communication is different. Using an informal channel, you can ask a friend from another department for info.
3. Sharing Best Practices
You can share the best of your knowledge using this communication taking. You can also share points from your practical lessons with teammates.
This model also allows you to share your innovative ideas. Hence you can make a significant contribution towards the improvement of your company.
4. Strengthening Employee Relationships
Employees who use this communication technique become good friends. Hence, you can create a cohesive environment in your organization.
You will not feel left out if you belong to a different race or religion. It also helps break down cultural differences in communication in workplaces with higher cultural diversity.
Benefits Of Diagonal Communication For Businesses
The primary diagonal communication benefits that can help an organization grow are:
1. Innovation And Creativity
This model encourages you to share your perspectives. Consequently, you can help create an innovative and creative company. When others like you share their ideas, the company can become innovative. It will also drive the company forward.
2. Efficient Problem-Solving
Often, you can face complex challenges in business. So, you must follow this communication technique. It can help you to think of more than one problem-solving approach. Consequently, the company can take leads from the individuals.
When you have the strength of collective knowledge, you can quickly develop a pathbreaking idea. So, keep tagging people from different backgrounds.
You may also help your higher management with your creative ideas. When you can reach them, you can also share your innovative concepts. In this way, the diagonal approach helps grow interdepartmental communication.
3. Improved Employee Morale
If you feel your friends and seniors value your thoughts, you will get more motivation to work. Your job satisfaction will also increase. Finally, all the employees will feel more motivated and engaged.
Consequently, your company will become more productive. All employees will feel loyal to the company, too.
4. Enhanced Communication Skills
Diagonal communication can improve your interpersonal communication skills. You can also learn how to convey ideas to individuals effectively. Hence you can make a network of like-minded people with similar skills. Plus, it helps professionals to overcome language barriers in communication as well!
5. Better Organizational Alignment
When teams communicate diagonally, they understand the goals and strategies better. So, you can ensure everyone is on the same page. Everyone also works towards the same shared objectives.
Some Other Benefits Of Diagonal Communication Are
Diagonal communication has more benefits. It not only makes you more capable. It also improves the productivity of the whole team. At the same time, diagonal communication brings these benefits to the table-
Flexibility: This model can easily pass information across the organization. For that, you don’t have to follow hierarchical lines strictly.
Employee Empowerment: Diagonal communication empowers employees, making them feel they are valued and concerned About.
Holistic View: Managers get a fuller understanding of how the company runs; this makes stronger strategic planning possible.
Reduced Miscommunication: Because information passes through fewer layers, there is less danger of miscommunication. Information doesn’t get distorted on the way.
Faster Response Time: Information can reach decision-makers directly, so decisions are made faster.
Cross-Functional Understanding: They learn a better appreciation of how different departments play their roles in making the company successful.
Employee Satisfaction: Having open channels of communication leads to greater job satisfaction.
Increased Trust: Employees get a sense of transparency and trust out of diagonal communication.
Employee Engagement: It engages staff by making them feel part of the broader conversation within an organization.
Adaptability: Through diagonal communication, swift information sharing allows for the flexibility to adapt quickly. Better Team Dynamics: Teams can work together more effectively, improving team dynamics company-wide.
Examples Of Diagonal Communication In A Business
Here are some diagonal communication examples to help you understand how it happens in workplaces.
1. Product Development
Imagine a scenario where the marketing team communicates directly with the R&D team. This diagonal communication allows marketers to directly convey customer feedback and market trends to the R&D team, leading to the development of products that align better with customer needs.
2. Performance Improvement
In a manufacturing company, frontline employees could communicate diagonally with the quality control team. By sharing insights about production challenges, these employees contribute to process improvements, resulting in higher product quality.
3. Project Management
Diagonal communication can play a vital role in project management. For instance, when project managers interact directly with team members from different departments, they can allocate resources more effectively, anticipate potential bottlenecks, and keep projects on track.
4. Feedback Loop
Consider a retail business where sales representatives communicate diagonally with inventory managers. This facilitates real-time feedback on product demand and customer preferences, allowing for timely adjustments in inventory levels and stocking strategies.
Encourage spoken diagonal communication.
Most of the diagonal communication in your office should be in writing. It can be accomplished through email writing. You can also use the Microsoft Teams platform or other apps like Connecteam.
Firstly, it will diminish the risk of miscommunication and misunderstanding. Secondly, it will make it easier for managers to keep all concerned stakeholders in the loop. When there are issues in communication, you have written records as evidence. The same record can also help you to detect if people are happy in the organization. Hence, you can adjust your communication guidelines accordingly.
Reduce the number of communication channels.
Diagonal communication and help in that. It is also a good idea for your internal communication. When you use many channels at the same time, it becomes difficult to keep track of the conversations. You also need to correct the information flow.
So, use limited channels for diagonal communication. Indeed, it makes communication a bit complex. So, you have to keep the other things as sorted as possible.
The best way to do that is to use only one communication platform. Choose a platform that offers simple communication solutions for horizontal and vertical communication and diagonal communication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, diagonal communication is a powerful tool that businesses can leverage to bridge gaps between departments, encourage collaboration, and drive innovation.
Promoting a culture of openness and inclusivity enhances employee engagement, problem-solving capabilities, and overall organizational effectiveness.
As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of the modern world, recognizing the significance of this type of communication can provide a competitive edge and position them for sustained success.
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