There are six key characteristics of communication according to the document: 1) Communication requires at least two people - a sender and receiver of information. 2) It involves the exchange of ideas, orders, feelings, etc. between two or more people. 3) There needs to be mutual understanding where the receiver understands the information in the same way it was intended by the sender. 4) Communication can be both direct, such as face-to-face, and indirect, such as through other means. 5) It is a continuous process that occurs ongoing in contexts like business. 6) Communication uses both words and symbols to convey information.