What is effective communication? You might have this question yet wondering what the answer really is. Effective communication is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, goals, knowledge and information in such a way that intentions can be fulfilled as best as possible. In simple words, it is nothing but a view by the sender in the most acceptable way to the receiver.
Effective communication generally involves;
Sender: The person who initiates the communication process by sending a message;
Recipient: To whom the message will be delivered.
In your effort to have better understanding answering what is effective communication, you need to develop the characteristic of effective communication.
Characteristics of Effective Communication
Merely conveying the message is not enough; it must fulfill the sender’s purpose. With this in mind, let’s discuss the elements that make for effective communication:
#1 Clear Message: The message that the sender wants to convey must be simple, easy to understand and systematically structured to maintain its meaning.
#2 Correct Message: The information communicated must not be vague or false in any sense; it should be free from errors and grammatical errors.
#3 Complete Message: Communication is the basis of decision making. Incomplete information can result in a wrong decision.
#4 Precise Messages: Messages sent should be short and concise to facilitate direct interpretation and take the desired steps.
#5 Reliability: The sender must be confident that whatever he conveys is true according to his knowledge. Even the recipient must have trust in the sender and be able to rely on the message being sent.
#6 Consideration of the recipient: Communication media and other physical arrangements should be planned, taking into account the attitude, language, knowledge, educational level and position of the recipient.
#7 Sender’s Courtesy: The message that is composed must reflect the sender’s courtesy, humility and respect for the recipient.
