Communicating effectively is one of the most important skills towards achieving a successful workplace and home setting. Understanding the Communication Process is a major step towards mastering great communication skills. Above is a visual of the communication process, and understanding each step will allow individuals to see both strong points and weaknesses present within their forms of communication. Below is an explanation of each step:
1. Sender has an Idea: Communication starts with and idea that is to be shared with others. Once the Idea is present, motivation to spread the idea is needed in order for the idea to be shared and expressed effectively.
2. Sender Encodes Idea in a Message: Encoding a message involves finding the correct verbiage or visual towards sharing one's idea. Understanding who the receiver is and his or her expectations is very necessary towards communicating the idea properly.
3. Sender Produces the Message in a Transmittable Medium: Finding a transmittable medium involves finding the correct sources needed to share the message. Forms can include oral, written, and/or visual communication.
4. Sender Transmits Message Through a Channel: A channel is very close to a transmittable medium but should be thought of as the source of delivery, such as a spokesperson or computer network.
5. Audience Receives the Message: The audience receives the message through the provided form but that does not guarantee that is was successfully understood, further steps will determine the effectiveness of the chosen communication.
6. Audience Decodes the Message: Ideally, the receiver should decode the message the way the sender meant to encode it but this can sometimes lead to failure depending on the idea, transmittable medium, and channel.
7. Audience Responds to the Message: Response is directly correlated with the effectiveness of the message and the sender can often give incentives towards giving responses.
8: Audience provides Feedback to the Sender: Feedback may not always be provided but it is necessary to help determine if the communication was adequate. Feedback will show strong points and weaknesses and help with future forms of communication.
Understanding how each step benefits the effectiveness of one's communication form will help set a path towards successfully communicating.
1. Sender has an Idea: Communication starts with and idea that is to be shared with others. Once the Idea is present, motivation to spread the idea is needed in order for the idea to be shared and expressed effectively.
2. Sender Encodes Idea in a Message: Encoding a message involves finding the correct verbiage or visual towards sharing one's idea. Understanding who the receiver is and his or her expectations is very necessary towards communicating the idea properly.
3. Sender Produces the Message in a Transmittable Medium: Finding a transmittable medium involves finding the correct sources needed to share the message. Forms can include oral, written, and/or visual communication.
4. Sender Transmits Message Through a Channel: A channel is very close to a transmittable medium but should be thought of as the source of delivery, such as a spokesperson or computer network.
5. Audience Receives the Message: The audience receives the message through the provided form but that does not guarantee that is was successfully understood, further steps will determine the effectiveness of the chosen communication.
6. Audience Decodes the Message: Ideally, the receiver should decode the message the way the sender meant to encode it but this can sometimes lead to failure depending on the idea, transmittable medium, and channel.
7. Audience Responds to the Message: Response is directly correlated with the effectiveness of the message and the sender can often give incentives towards giving responses.
8: Audience provides Feedback to the Sender: Feedback may not always be provided but it is necessary to help determine if the communication was adequate. Feedback will show strong points and weaknesses and help with future forms of communication.
Understanding how each step benefits the effectiveness of one's communication form will help set a path towards successfully communicating.
Understanding Culture:
As stated by Courtland L. Bovée and John V. Thill in Business Communication Essentials, "Culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations, and norms for behavior. Today’s workforce is composed of people from many cultures, people who differ in race, gender, age, national and regional attitudes and beliefs, family structure, religion, native language, and educational background. The interaction of culture and communication is so pervasive that separating the two is virtually impossible" (2010, Pg 10, Para. 1). Culture plays a huge role in understanding your audience when attempting to communicate. One must always remember to leave bias comments and thoughts behind when formulating a message of communication and this is due to culture. Religion, political views, and views on how everyday demeanor should be can cause conflict in communicating adequately. One should spend time to learn and respect all other cultures even if it goes against one's personal beliefs. Although there are cultural differences, there are still often similarities as well and using those in delivering messages can often improve the message bing delivered. For example if one were to give a presentation on nutrition, he or she must respect that certain cultures are against eating certain types of foods and one must find meal plans for all types of diets. Wording must always be carefully chosen and stray away from imposing any belief or view onto the receiver. Understanding culture will not only improve one's communication skill but also make a well rounded individual.
Implementing Technology into Communication
Technology is vastly wide spreading into many businesses and everyday actions. Social Media forms such as Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, and Twitter allow information to be vastly widespread throughout the world in a matter of hours. Marketing information in the correct format is the most essential tactic towards communicating through social media and technology. Using this outlet would be the fastest form of communication known to present day and proves to be effective. Unfortunately, social media is also taken very seriously by many all around the world leading to many cultural differences and conflict so one must be very precise and remain unbiased with the information provided.