Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

What is a drawback to a downward flow of communication?

1. Information is shared between other organizational units in the same level

2. Subordinates withhold discrediting information from supervisors

3. The initial message is distorted once it reaches its intended recipient

4. Supervisors are only given positive information

The correct answer is: The initial message is distorted once it reaches its intended recipient

A drawback to a downward flow of communication is that the initial message can become distorted once it reaches its intended recipient. This occurs because communication often travels through multiple layers of management or staff, where personal biases, misunderstandings, or lack of clarity can alter the original message. Each person involved in relaying the information may interpret it differently, leading to changes or omissions that can significantly affect the message's accuracy by the time it is received by subordinates. This distortion can lead to misinformation, confusion, and possibly ineffective decision-making, as the recipients may not receive the precise intent of the communication. Overall, ensuring clear and direct communication channels is crucial in mitigating these issues and maintaining the integrity of information within an organization.