What does downward communication primarily involve?

Downward communication primarily involves messages directed from management to staff. This type of communication flows from higher levels of an organizational hierarchy to lower levels and typically includes directives, policies, information about organizational goals, and expectations that management wishes to convey to employees. It is crucial for ensuring that everyone is aligned with the organization's objectives and aware of their roles and responsibilities within the structure.

In contrast, feedback received from employees is an example of upward communication, where information flows from subordinate employees back to management. Casual conversations among peers and informal discussions across departments represent lateral communication, which involves colleagues interacting at the same hierarchical level or across different levels for collaboration and information-sharing purposes. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the flow of information within an organization and the specific role that downward communication plays in maintaining clear directives from management to various staff members.