Communication Fundamentals

Communication

• Communication is an act of conveying meaning to a person or group of people using mutually understood symbols, gestures, behaviours and semiotic rules.
• The word "communication" comes from the Latin word "communicare", which means "to share".
• For communication to occur, the source and receiver must have at least some minimum degree of prior experience, some level of similarity and some level of shared meanings.
• When answering a phone call, the phone acts as the channel.

Communication Process

• Communication is a continuous process that involves sending and receiving messages.
• It includes all the stages of transferring a message from one person to another and then back again.
• Communication can take place with two or more people.
• The stages of communication include:
  • The sender encodes information with a purpose.
  • The receiver decodes the information.
  • The receiver sends feedback to the sender.

Nine Principles of Effective Communication

• Effective communication must meet certain standards.
• Michael Osborn (2009) identified these nine principles:
  • Clarity
  • Conciseness
  • Consideration
  • Concreteness
  • Correctness
  • Courtesy
  • Completeness
  • Confidence
  • Credibility

Clarity

• Clarity involves using simple language and clear sentence structure to ensure the message is easily understood.
• It also involves using specific words that convey the intended message without ambiguity.

Conciseness

• Conciseness means using as few words as possible to convey the message effectively.
• Keeping messages concise helps avoid unnecessary information and ensures the receiver can understand the message easily.

Consideration

• Consideration refers to being mindful of the receiver's perspective, needs, and cultural background.
• This includes tailoring the message to the audience's understanding and considering their potential interpretations.

Concreteness

• Concreteness is the practice of supporting messages with facts, data, statistics, or research to make them authoritative and credible.
• It ensures the message is based on evidence rather than assumptions.

Correctness

• Correctness involves using proper grammar, language, and spelling.
• Errors can damage your credibility and obscure the meaning of the message.

Courtesy

• Courtesy involves being respectful and polite in communication.
• It is essential to avoid words or phrases that could offend the receiver and maintain professional decorum.

Completeness

• Completeness means providing all the necessary information to ensure the receiver fully understands the message.
• It involves addressing all relevant points and anticipating potential questions.

Confidence

• Confidence in communication involves conveying assurance and trustworthiness.
• It is important to know your material and speak clearly and confidently to inspire trust in the receiver.

Credibility

• Credibility is established by presenting accurate and reliable information.
• It is vital to be honest, transparent, and responsible in all communication.

Ethics in Communication

• Communication ethics relate to the moral principles that guide our communication.
• It involves considering the rightness or wrongness of our actions and ensuring we communicate responsibly and ethically.

Ethical Considerations in Communication

• Respect the audience: Refrain from discrimination, stereotyping, or demeaning language.
• Consider the result: Think about the potential consequences of your communication and act accordingly.
• Value truth: Be honest and accurate in your communication.
• Use information correctly: Cite sources properly and avoid plagiarism.
• Do not falsify information: Ensure the information you share is accurate and objective.

Explore the essential principles and processes of communication in this quiz. Understand the importance of encoding, decoding, and feedback in effective interactions between individuals. Test your knowledge on the key aspects of conveying meaning and the role of shared experiences.