Effective communication is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, knowledge and
information such that the purpose or intention is fulfilled in the best possible manner. In
simple words, it is nothing but the presentation of views by the sender in a way best
understood by the receiver.
We can say that it generally involves;
Sender: The person who initiates the process of communication by sending a message;
Receiver: The one to whom the message is to be delivered.
Characteristics of Effective Communication
Clear Message: The message which the sender wants to convey must be simple, easy
to understand and systematically framed to retain its meaningfulness.
Correct Message: The information communicated must not be vague or false in any
sense; it must be free from errors and grammatical mistakes.
Complete Message: Communication is the base for decision making. If the
information is incomplete, it may lead to wrong decisions.
Precise Message: The message sent must be short and concise to facilitate
straightforward interpretation and take the desired steps.
Reliability: The sender must be sure from his end that whatever he is conveying is
right by his knowledge. Even the receiver must have trust on the sender and can rely on
the message sent.
Consideration of the Recipient: The medium of communication and other physical
settings must be planned, keeping in mind the attitude, language, knowledge, education
level and position of the receiver.
Sender’s Courtesy: The message so drafted must reflect the sender’s courtesy,
humbleness and respect towards the receiver.
, Effective Communication Skills
Conveying a message effectively is an art as well as a skill developed after continuous
practice and experience.
Observance: A person must possess sharp observing skills to gain more and more
knowledge and information.
Clarity and Brevity: The message must be drafted in simple words, and it should be
clear and precise to create the desired impact over the receiver.
Listening and Understanding: The most crucial skill in a person is he must be a good,
alert and patient listener. He must be able to understand and interpret the message well.
Emotional Intelligence: A person must be emotionally aware and the ability to
influence others from within.
Self-Efficacy: Also, he/she must have faith in himself and his capabilities to achieve
the objectives of communication.
Self-Confidence: Being one of the essential communication skills, confidence
enhances the worthiness of the message being delivered.
Respectfulness: Delivering a message with courtesy and respecting the values,
believes, opinions and ideas of the receiver is the essence of effective communication.
Non-Verbal Communication: To connect with the receiver in a better way, the sender
must involve the non-verbal means communication too. These include gestures, facial
expressions, eye contact, postures, etc.
Selection of the Right Medium: Choice of the correct medium for communication is
also a skill. It is necessary to select an appropriate medium according to the situation,
priority of the message, the receiver’s point of view, etc.
Providing Feedback: Effective communication is always a two-way process. A person
must take as well as give feedback to bring forward the other person’s perspective too.