A considerable effort goes into communication, such as body language, gestures, tone of voice, and spoken language.
Effective communication is not just a process of transferring information from one entity to another; it is a process of first listening or reading the information, understanding it, processing it, and then moving it. If the receiver is unable to comprehend any of these factors, then the process crashes.
Communication is a process wherein the message in the form of ideas, thoughts, feelings, or opinions is transmitted between two or more persons to create a shared understanding.
If the receiver understands the message conveyed by the sender in the same way as intended, then the communication is successful and effective.
Communication process
The communication process begins with the sender thinking of a message and then transmitting it through a channel to the receiver. This, in turn, gives the feedback in a message in any form or signal within the given time frame.
Generally, there are seven primary elements to the communication process, in the section below we will refer to eight:
- Sender: The sender can be defined as the person or communicator who begins the conversation and has conceptualised the idea that he/she intends to convey to the receiver or audience.
- Encoding: The sender starts with the encoding process, using one or multiple methods to encode the message, such as words or non-verbal means in the form of body gestures, symbols, or signs to translate the information into a message. The sender’s background, competencies, knowledge, skills, and perception can influence the success of the message.
- Message: The message is the content, idea, or subject matter encoded and what the sender wishes to convey.
- Communication Channel/Medium: The Sender chooses the medium to convey the message to the recipient. The medium must be selected carefully for the recipient to effectively and correctly interpret the message. Think of the medium as a vehicle that transports the message. Examples can include written or spoken communication, written book, email, text-spoken, telephone, radio, or a lecture.
- Receiver: The receiver can be defined as the person for whom the message is intended or targeted. The receiver comprehends the message in the best possible manner. The extent to which the receiver decodes the message depends on their understanding of the subject matter, trust experience, and relationship with the sender.
- Decoding: Here, the receiver interprets or decodes the sender’s message and attempts to understand it in the best possible manner. Effective communication can happen only if the receiver understands the message in the same way as the sender intended it.
- Feedback: Feedback is the audience’s or receiver’s response to the message. Feedback is essential for effective communication because it provides for a two-way flow of messages, and the message can be adjusted if it has been misunderstood. Feedback also provides the sender with a way to ensure that the receiver has received the message and interpreted it correctly as the sender intended.
- Communication barrier: The Noise shows the barriers or obstacles in communications. There are chances when the recipient does not receive the message sent by the sender.