Communication

Communication

Communication is the art of conveying a message or information from one person to the other through different medium such as speaking, writing etc. A good communication skill is required by an individual as it affects every single aspect of his life.

The process of communication begins with a “Sender” who has some message that he requires to be passed on to the “receiver”, he encodes the message and uses a “medium”/”channel” of communication through which he sends the message. These channels of communication may be writing, speaking, through videos, text messages etc. This messages is sent to the “receiver” who then decodes the encoded message. Many a times the receiver sends back a “feedback” or a reply to the sender.

In short the different steps involved in the process of communication are

1. The sender encodes a message that he/she needs to send to the receiver.
2. The sender selects a channel of communication.
3. The receiver receives the message.
4. The receiver decodes the encoded message
5. The receiver send a feedback wherever it is required.

The different types of communication are:

1. On the Basis of channel of communication:
   1. Verbal Communication: Verbal communication may be in the form of Oral or Written Communication. In oral communication, spoken words are used and involves face to face communication, through video, television or other such methods. Written communication involves written signs or symbols in the form of alphabets in some language or the other. It may be printed or handwritten or in a digital form such as a text message.
   2. Non-Verbal Communication: Non Verbal communication does not involve any words in the written or the spoken form. It involves gestures, motions, body language, tone of voice, posture facial expressions etc.

2. On the basis of Purpose and style:

1. Formal Communication: In a formal communication certain rules and regulations are followed while communicating a message. In this the sender and the receiver have a formal relationship such as that of a teacher and a student or that of a boss and a subordinate.

2. Informal Communication: Informal communication is more of a casual talk where the relationship between the sender and the receiver is usually that of a family or a friend. Informal communication often involves use of slang and other such vernaculars.

The importance of communication:

1. It helps in the process of sharing information and knowledge
2. It helps in increasing productivity and results
3. It helps in maintaining a good relationship with our friends and family.
4. It enables an individual to share his/her opinions and ideas about a particular matter.
5. It helps in cooperation and coordination in a workplace.
6. It helps in decision making when there is a problem that needs to be taken care of.
7. Communication also helps us understand the emotions and feelings of others.
8. Communication also helps in socializing. As an individual does not go a day without communicating with another in his day to day life, it is very important that he/she is a good communicator.

A much underrated part of communication is listening. Many a times people are so obsessed with getting their points across that they do not listen to what the party has to say. Listening to that person may actually help you gain a better insight into the issue or to gain more knowledge about something you never knew about. It is also important as it helps in preventing in any miscommunication or misinterpretationand save lot of time for the parties involved.

Thus an effective communication helps in building and maintain relationships and improve a group’s teamwork, decision making and problem solving abilities. It would enable you to communicate in such a way that that you would be able to convey a negative message without creating any conflict.