Communication Skills

Meaning of CommunicationThe word communicate comes from the Latin verb communicare that means to impart, to participate, to share or to make common. By virtue of its Latin origin it is also the source of the English word common. Whatever is common is shared by all. Hence the sense of sharing is inherent in the very origin and nature of communication. In communication we share information, i.e. something to tell, in whatever way we like, or as the situation demand.

Social AspectCommunication is a social activity, it is the most important of all our activities as it has helped us to organize ourselves as a civilized society. All communication is based on, and is guided by role-relationships. Communication is essentially the ability of one person to make contact with another and to make himself or herself understood. In other words, communication is the process by which meaning are exchange between people through the use of a common set of symbols.

Success for YOU in the new global and diverse workplace requires excellent communication skills!

The Communication ProcessBasic Model

The Communication ProcessBasic Model1.Sender has idea

The Communication ProcessBasic Model1.Sender has idea

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message1.Sender has idea

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message1.Sender has idea

The Communication ProcessBasic Model3.Message travels over channel2.Sender encodes idea in message1.Sender has idea

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

4.Receiver decodes message

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

4.Receiver decodes message

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

4.Receiver decodes message5.Feedback travelsto sender

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

4.Receiver decodes message5.Feedback travelsto sender

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

4.Receiver decodes message5.Feedback travelsto sender

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

4.Receiver decodes message6.Possible additional feedback to receiver5.Feedback travelsto sender

The Communication ProcessBasic Model2.Sender encodes idea in message3.Message travels over channel1.Sender has idea

4.Receiver decodes message6.Possible additional feedback to receiver5.Feedback travelsto sender

The Communication ProcessExpanded Model

A Classic Case of Miscommunication

In Center Harbor, local people recalls the day when Mr. Walter (T.V. Star) steered his boat into port. Mr. Walter was amused to see in the distance a small crowd on shore waving their arms to greet him. He could barely make out their excited shouts: Hello Walter, Hello Walter!

As his boat came closer, the crowd grew larger, still yelling. Pleased at the reception, Mr. Walter tipped his white captain's hat, waved back, even took a bow. But before reaching dockside, his boat abruptly jammed aground. The crowd stood silent. Mr. Walter suddenly realized what they'd been shouting: Low water, low water!

Analysis of Flawed Communication Process

Analysis of Flawed Communication ProcessSender has ideaWarn boater

Analysis of Flawed Communication ProcessSender has ideaWarn boaterSender encodes messageLow water!

Analysis of Flawed Communication ProcessSender has ideaWarn boaterSender encodes messageLow water!Channel carries messageMessage distorted

Analysis of Flawed Communication ProcessSender has ideaWarn boaterSender encodes messageLow water!Channel carries messageMessage distortedReceiver decodes messageHello Walter!

Barriers That CausedMiscommunicationFrame of reference

Language skills

Listening skills

Receiver accustomed to acclaim and appreciative crowds.

"water" and "Walter" sound similar.

Receiver more accustomed to speaking than to listening.

Barriers That CausedMiscommunicationEmotional interference

Physical barriers

Ego prompted receiver to believe crowd was responding to his celebrity status.

Noise from boat, distance between senders and receivers.

Which of these barriers could be overcome through improved communication skills?