Introduction to Communication Skills

Introduction to Communication Skills

Content

• Definition of communication

• Importance of communication

• Forms of communication

• Communication channels

• Communication process

• Essentials of effective communication

Objective

At the end of this session, the student will be able to:

• Comprehend the importance of communication

• Identify the forms and channels of communication

• Apply the process of communication for proficiency

Definition of Communication

Communication is:

• A word derived from the Latin word communis or commūnicāre, which means ‘to make common’ or ‘to share’

• The act of conveying information, ideas and attitudes to another person by using mutually understood signs and languages

Importance of Communication

• Promotes motivation and improves performance

• Acts as a source of information for decision making process

• Keeps a person informed, creates better attitude and helps in socializing

• Helps to control the behavior of a person towards a positive outcome

Components of the Communication Process

The components of the communication process include:

1. Sender: Initiates the communication

2. Receiver: The individual/ group to whom the message is sent

3. Channel/Medium: Carrier of the communication

4. Message: The outcome of the encoding, which takes the form of verbal (written/oral words), or nonverbal aspects

Terminologies in Communication Process

The terminologies of communication process:

1. Encode: The idea by selecting words, symbols, or gestures with which to compose a message by the Sender

2. Decode: Translation of the message into meaningful information by the Receiver

3. Feedback: Happens when receiver responds to the sender’s message and returns the message to the Sender

4. Noise: Anything (perception, language, external sound etc.) that alters the message

Communication Process/Loop

Basic Types of Communication

Verbal Communication

• Oral Communication

• Written Communication

Non Verbal Communication

• Sign Language

• Body

• Paralanguage

• Space Surrounding Time

• Silence

Communication Channels

Communication channel/medium facilitates clear transmission of message from sender to receiver.

Oral Communication Channels	Written Communication Channels
Face to face interactions	E-mails
Face to face meetings	Fax
Telephone	IM/Chat
Video/Audio conferencing	Flyers/Brochures/ Pamphlets etc.

Note: Channels are used for both forms of communication (formal and informal)

Effective Communication

Effectiveness of Communication is a mandate for organizational and personal success. The effectiveness of communication can be achieved by:

1. Being a good listener

2. Adopting appropriate body language and tone

3. Acknowledgement

4. Maintaining eye contact (do not stare)

5. Developing a shared sense of purpose

Essentials of Effective Communication

• Conceptual Clarity

• Language

• Understand the process of communication

• Plan the communication

• Positive approach

• Appropriate feedback

• Avoid communication overload

• Timeliness

Summary

• Definition of Communication – Communication is the art of transmitting information, ideas and attitudes from one person to another

• Forms of Communication-Verbal and Non Verbal Communication

• Communication Channels-Face to Face, Broadcast Media, Mobile, Electronic, Written

• Communication Process-Sender, Encoding Message, Message Channel, Decoding Message, Receiver and Feedback

• Essentials of Effective Communication

Reference

Books:

1. Sathya Swaroop Debashish, 2014, Business Communication, Delhi, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.

2. Hory Sankar Mukerjee, 2014, Business Communication-Connecting at Work, New Delhi, Oxford University Press

Websites:

1. http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-the-communication-processdefinition-steps.html