Upward communication is the process by which lower-level employees communicate with upper management to provide feedback, share ideas, and raise concerns regarding their day-to-day work. This type of communication is becoming more popular in organizations as traditional forms of communication are becoming less popular. Upward communication helps employees to express their requirements, ideas, and feelings, and for top management, it is an important source of information for business decisions. It keeps managers aware of how employees feel about their jobs, policies and procedures, and the business in general. Upward communication consists of methods like feedback from employees, which helps in bringing mutual trust and helps the organization to determine, implement, or decide upon new policies.

Several benefits come with encouraging upward communication on teams and at companies, including inclusivity, which has become an increasingly important aspect of workplace culture. Employees can flag potential problems or visibly champion ongoing efforts, making them feel heard and part of the company’s mission. Upward communication can also aid overall creativity and innovation in the workplace and make employees feel they have a voice in approaching the ultimate company goals.

In business, effective communication tends to take place in four directions: downward, upward, horizontally, and diagonally. Upward communication has become increasingly popular as more companies seek to improve their workplace culture. Upward communication sends messages from low-level workers to top management, whereas downward communication sends messages down from leadership to workers. Upward communication is participative, open, and collaborative, whereas downward communication is closed and directive. The objective of upward communication is to create a positive feedback culture between teammates and departments.