Employability Skills - Chapter 1: Communication Skills

Study Notes

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:
- 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.

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

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.