Communication - Decoding, Receiver, Feedback, and Barriers

Communication Principles

• Communication is the process of exchanging verbal and/or non-verbal information between two or more people.
• Communication can be used to inform, persuade, or entertain.
• Communication can take the form of written, verbal, non-verbal, or visual messages.

Elements of Communication

• Verbal Communication:
  • Face-to-face conversations
  • Audio and video calls or conferencing
  • Lectures
  • Meetings
  • Radio
  • Television
• Non-Verbal Communication:
  • Body language (facial expressions, gestures, postures, eye contact)
  • Personal space or distance
  • Personal appearance
• Written Communication:
  • Memos
  • Letters
  • Reports
  • Online chat
  • SMS
  • Email
  • Journals
  • Other written documents
• Visual Communication:
  • Images
  • Graphs
  • Charts
  • Logos
  • Maps

Intended and Unintended Communication

• Intended Communication: planned communication with a specific purpose
• Unintended Communication: unplanned communication, such as non-verbal cues or emotional outbursts

Communication Process

• Source: the sender of a message
• Message: the information or idea being communicated
• Encoding: the process of transferring the message
• Channel: the means of delivering the message (e.g., face-to-face, email, memo)
• Decoding: the process of interpreting the encoded message
• Receiver: the recipient of the message
• Feedback: the reaction or response to the message
• Context: the situation or environment in which communication takes place
• Barriers: factors that can affect the communication process (e.g., culture, individual differences, language use, noise, past experiences, status)

Communication Ethics

• Effective communicators observe ethics and deal with values, righteousness, and behavior appropriate for human communication
• Ethical considerations:
  • Uphold integrity
  • Be truthful and accurate
  • Respect diversity of perspective and privacy
  • Show compassion and consideration
  • Observe freedom of expression
  • Promote access to communication
  • Be open-minded and accept different views
  • Develop a sense of accountability

Guidelines for Effective Communication

• Be clear with your purpose
• Support your message with facts
• Be concise and avoid unnecessary details
• Provide specific information in your feedback
• Adjust to the needs, interests, values, and beliefs of your audience
• Observe communication ethics