Disadvantages

Downward communication is not without disadvantages, including the following:

Distortion
Ever played the grapevine game? Downward communications can become distorted as it proceeds through multiple
levels of the organization.
Slow feedback
It takes time for messages to go down the organization and then up the organization and then back down again. This
means that feedback can be slow, resulting in problems, especially in a dynamic environment.
Interpretative problems
Downward communication presents interpretation problems because of the distortion effect and the slow feedback for
message clarification.
Lowers morale
Given the time communication takes and the problem with distorted messages, downward communications can have
a negative impact on organizational morale.
Not motivating
Given slow feedback and the dependence on formal channels of communication, this method of communication
doesn't really help with motivation