Employability Skills - Chapter 1: Communication Skills

Employability Skills - Chapter 1: Communication Skills

• Communication Cycle (Process): A process where a message is sent, passed through recipients, and feedback is received. Effectiveness depends on the time it takes for feedback.
• Communication Process Components:
  • Sender: Initiates the communication.
  • Message: The information being conveyed.
  • Encoding: The way the sender prepares the message.
  • Channel: The method of sending the message.
  • Receiver: The recipient of the message.
  • Decoding: How the receiver interprets the message.
  • Feedback: The receiver's response to the message.
• Communication Styles:
  • Verbal: Using spoken or signed language (e.g., presentations, meetings).
  • Non-Verbal: Using body language, gestures, and facial expressions (important for understanding others).
  • Written: Using written symbols (e.g., letters, memos).
  • Visual: Using images, diagrams to convey information (helpful for different learning styles).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Written Communication

• Advantages:
  • Permanent record.
  • Meticulous presentation.
  • Easy circulation.
  • Suitable for statistical data.
  • Promotes good will.
• Disadvantages:
  • Time-consuming.
  • Non-flexible.
  • No scope for clarification.
  • Demands writing proficiency.
  • Possibility of wrong interpretation.

Aspects of Body Language:

• Facial expressions.
• Posture.
• Gestures.
• Touch.
• Use of space.
• Eye movement.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Verbal Communication

• Advantages:
  • Saves time.
  • Quick feedback.
  • Saves money.
• Disadvantages:
  • Distortion in meaning.
  • Not convenient for long messages.
  • Irrelevant information.
  • Misunderstandings.
  • Communication costs.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-Verbal Communication

• Advantages:
  • Complements verbal message.
  • Easy information presentation.
  • Substitutes for verbal communication (e.g., in noisy environments).
  • Reduces time.
• Disadvantages:
  • Vague and imprecise.
  • Continuous.
  • Multi-channel.
  • Culture bound.
  • Long conversations are not always possible.

Factors Affecting Workplace Communication

• Cultural diversity.
• Emotional differences.
• Past experiences.
• Educational and intellectual differences.
• Group affiliations.
• Positional differences.
• Functional relationships between sender and receiver.

Explore the basics of communication skills in this quiz based on Chapter 1 of Employability Skills. Understand the communication cycle, its components, and various communication styles. Test your knowledge on how effective communication can influence workplace interactions.