Communication is a process that involves a sender encoding a message and sending it through a medium to a receiver who decodes and provides feedback. Effective communication faces several potential problems such as distortion, noise, and redundancy. Listening is an important but often neglected communication skill. Principles of effective listening include aiming to understand key ideas, staying actively engaged, focusing on what is currently being said, and avoiding premature judgments. Receptivity to messages can be enhanced by ensuring the message relates to the audience's needs, confirms their beliefs, and provides interesting information from a credible source.

1. Principles of Effective Communication