Communication involves the exchange of thoughts, ideas, knowledge and information between two parties to work towards a shared goal. It is a two-way process that uses both verbal and non-verbal means. Effective communication is complete, concise, considers the audience, is clear and courteous. The communication process involves a sender encoding a message and transmitting it through a medium to a receiver who decodes it and provides feedback. Barriers like differences in perception, language, too much information, distractions and emotions can interfere with communication.

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Module V
Communication
Communication is a two way interaction comprising an exchange and
progression of thoughts, ideas, knowledge and information towards a mutually
accepted goal or direction. Here are some definitions by experts:
Definition of Communication
The American Society of Training Directors states, e interchange of
thought or information to bring about mutual understanding and confidence or
global human relati
Brown: 'Communication is the transmission and interchange of facts, ideas,
feelings or course of acti
Alien Louis A ication is the sum of all the things one person does
when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It involves a
systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understandi
Ordway Tead: icating is a composite of information given and
received, of a learning experience in which certain attitudes, knowledge and skills
change, carving with them alterations of behaviour, of listening effort by all
involved, of a sympathetic fresh examination of issues by the communicator
himself, of a sensitive interacting points of view, leading to a higher level of
shared understanding and common intention .
Meaning of Communication
Communication is a process whereby information is enclosed in a package
and is channelled and imparted by a sender to a receiver via some medium. The
receiver then decodes the message and gives the sender a feedback. All forms of
communication require three essentials: a sender, a message and an intended
recipient; however, the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent
to communicate at the time of communication in order for the act of
communication to occur.
Communication requires that all parties have an area of communicative
commonality. There are auditory means, such as speech, song and tone of voice
and there are nonverbal means, such as body language, sign language,
paralanguage, touch, eye contact, through media, i.e., pictures, graphics and sound
and writing.

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Nature of Communication
The important characteristics of communication can be explained as follows:
It is a 2-way process.
Communication process happens between or among two or more parties.
(sender and receiver)
Communication involves exchange of ideas, feelings, information, thoughts
and knowledge.
Communication involves mutuality of understanding between the sender
and receiver.
There are two types of communication, i.e. verbal and non-verbal
communication.
Further, below mentioned are the points, which must be considered for
effective communication:
1. Completeness: The communication must be complete. It should convey all
facts required by the audience. The senders of the message must take into
set and convey the message accordingly.
2. Conciseness: Conciseness means wordiness, i.e. communicating what you
want to convey in least possible words without forgoing the othe
communication. Conciseness is a necessity for effective communication.
3. Consideration: Consideration implie epping into the shoes of othe
Effective communication must take the audience into consideration, i.e. the
audience iewpoints, background, mind-set, education level, etc. It is an
attempt to envisage your audience, their requirements, emotions as well as
problems. Ensure that the self-respect of the audience is maintained and
their emotions are not at harm. Modify your words in message to suit the
audience eeds while making your message complete.
4. Clarity: Clarity implies emphasizing on a specific message or goal at a
time, rather than trying to achieve too much at once.
5. Courtesy: Courtesy in message implies the message should show the
sende expression as well as should respect the receiver. The sender of the
message should be sincerely polite, judicious, reflective and enthusiastic.
6. Correctness: Correctness in communication implies that there are no
grammatical errors in communication.

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Communication Process
The main components of communication process are as follows:
Fig 1.12 Communication process
1. Context: Communication is affected by various factors one of them being
the context in which it takes place. This context may be physical, social,
chronological or cultural. Every communication ensues within context. The
sender chooses the message to communicate within a context.
2. Sender / Encoder: Sender / Encoder are a person who sends the message. A
sender makes use of symbols (words or graphic or visual aids) to convey the
message and produce the required response.
3. Message: Message is a key idea that the sender wants to communicate. It is
a sign that elicits the response of recipient. Communication process begins
with deciding about the message to be conveyed.
4. Medium: Medium is a means used to exchange / transmit the message. The
sender must choose an appropriate medium for transmitting the message
else the message might not be conveyed to the desired recipients.
5. Recipient / Decoder: Recipient / Decoder are a person for whom the
message is intended / aimed / targeted.
6. Feedback: Feedback is the main component of communication process as it
permits the sender to analyse the efficacy of the message.
Communication,
Motivation and
Leadership

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Types of Communication
We can divide communication under three categories:
1. Oral/ verbal Communication
Words
Articulation
2. Written Communication
Reports
Illustrations
Memos
Telegrams
Facsimiles (FAX)
E-mails
Tenders
Letters
Others
3. Non- verbal
Body language
Signs and symbols
Territory /Zone
Object language.

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Fig 1.13 Types of Communication
1. Verbal/Oral Communication: Anything spoken by mouth is oral
communication. Whatever is uttered from the mouth contains words and
manner of pronouncing words. The manner of pronouncing words is called
as articulation. Words both connote and denote meaning.
2. Written Communication: Written communication takes on a number of
forms. It is the most formal of all types of communication. It is also the
safest as it leaves little space for miscommunication. Although the manner
and style may change according to typical manner of company. It is also
bound by the dictates of the organisation.
3. Non Verbal Communication: This is an important part of communication.
The medium of communication other than oral and written communication
is non-verbal communications. Non-verbal communication includes the way
an individual positions himself holds his hands, tilts his head, etc. Even the
sender in this case maybe as clueless about his behaviour as the receiver. It
is sometimes a natural behaviour. A receiver observes non-verbal
communication 55% of the time. Effective and simultaneous use of oral and
non-verbal communication is the most effective method of communication.
Non-verbal communication may include the gestures, postures, signs, etc.

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Barriers to Communication
When there is communication there are hindrances and obstacles that may
erupt in the course of communication. These are called communication barriers.
Following are the main communication barriers:
1. Perceptual Differences: This normally explains how an individual will
understand the world around him. Normally, everyone wants to have a
message which could be of use to him. It is found that the message which is
not relevant is not accepted.
2. Language Differences: The linguistic differences will also focus on
breakdown of communication aspect. Same word may mean different to
different individuals. As an example, consider a alue.
What is the value of this LCD tv in the market today?
I value our relation. Do you?
What is the value of vocational studies?
Thus the same word alue as a different meaning in different sentences.
3. Information Overload: It is seen that there are lots of information that is
surrounded across the managers which can be controlled, misinterpreted or
forgotten.
4. Inattention: Many times we simply do both actions hearing and listening.
To have an effective communication, continuous or repetition of messages
should be avoided.
5. Time Pressures: Often in organisation, the targets are time bound, the
failure of which has adverse consequences. In a haste to meet deadlines, the
formal channels of communication are shortened or messages are partially
given, i.e., not completely transferred.
6. Distraction/Noise: The idea of communication here is that it gets affected
through noise. The cause of physical distractions such as bad lightning,
uncomfortable sleeping, unhygienic atmosphere also affects communication.
7. Emotions: Emotions play a vital role in communication as the extent of
emotion can affect the communication for better or worse. On conclusion of
communicator, if the receiver feels that it is angry, he/she will not interprets
the information sent that could be bad as it is reverse in situation when
communicator is happy.