What type of communication spans across different levels and areas within the organization?

Diagonal communication is characterized by the flow of information that crosses over traditional hierarchical and departmental lines within an organization. This type of communication allows individuals at different levels and in various departments to collaborate and exchange ideas directly, which can enhance problem-solving, foster innovation, and accelerate decision-making processes.

When communication is diagonal, it effectively breaks down silos that often exist within organizations, promoting cross-functional teamwork and enabling a more agile response to changing circumstances. This can also help facilitate a better understanding of company-wide goals among employees at all levels, as they are not limited to communicating only within their own department or reporting line.

In contrast, other forms of communication, such as vertical communication, tend to follow a more traditional top-down or bottom-up approach, which can limit the interaction to a single chain of command. Horizontal communication typically occurs between peers at the same level within an organization, making it less effective for spanning across levels. Open communication refers to a broad concept that encourages free exchange of ideas but does not specifically address the crossing of different levels or departments. Thus, diagonal communication is the best fit for describing the type of communication that spans various levels and areas within an organization.