Which statement best captures the meaning of 'upward communication' in innovative leadership?

• A. Communication from subordinates to managers
• B. Communication from managers to subordinates
• C. Communication among peers only
• D. Communication with external stakeholders

Answer: (A)

Upward communication is the flow of information from those at lower levels of the organization to those higher up. In innovative leadership, this direction carries feedback, ideas, concerns, and performance insights from frontline staff to managers and leaders, helping inform decisions, spark improvements, and respond quickly to new challenges. This is different from downward communication, which moves from leaders to staff, or horizontal communication, which happens among peers, and it’s distinct from communicating with external stakeholders.

For example, a frontline employee spotting a recurring bottleneck and proposing a new process is engaging in upward communication, giving leaders the information they need to adapt strategy and allocate resources more effectively.