Digital Library: Effective communication

Effective communication

“Communication, n. The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium. (…) The successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings.” (Oxford English Dictionary).

Successful communication happens when results are achieved. Being able to communicate effectively is perhaps the most important of all life skills. Allows us to pass information to other people, and to understand what is said to us.

Communication is the act of transferring information from one place to another in different ways:

• Verbal: face-to-face, telephone, radio or television and other media,
• Written: letters, e-mails, social media, books, magazines, the Internet and other media.
• Visual: maps, logos, graphs and other visualizations can communicate messages.
• Non-verbal: body language, gestures, way of dressing, among others.

The effective transmission of a message is a skill developed after continuous practice and experience.

An effective communicator understands the audience, chooses appropriate communication channel to send the message and encodes it to reduce misunderstanding by the audience.

The feedback perceived by the communicator is important to know how the message is understood in order to treat eventual confusion as soon as possible.

Definition of effective communication is the ability to exchange ideas, thoughts, knowledge and information so that the goal or intention is fulfilled in the best possible way.

The predetermined set of skills required for an influential communication process are:

• observance,
• clarity and brevity,
• listening and understanding,
• emotional intelligence,
• self-efficacy,
• self-confidence,
• respectfulness,
• non-verbal communication,
• selection of the right medium, providing feedback.

Effective communication is a key interpersonal skill.

Effective-communication means that the message is received, understood, and acted upon in the desired way. This means that effective communication may require persuasion, motivation, monitoring, and leadership by managers. Effective communication is about understanding the emotion and intentions behind the information (emotional intelligence required by managers).

Communicating effectively means that your ideas and concepts are being heard and that people are acting on them. It also means that you are able to hear, understand, and act on what other people are saying.

Communication in management is an essential soft skill. A manager must be able to communicate effectively because it is essential for the success in three levels: personal, team, organizational.

To communication in organizations is a key factor to success due to the need of stability and clarity of an organization.

Communication in management involves:

• to plan;
• to execute;
• to monitor;
• to improve.

The communication channels or process at the organization: in and out communication. An effective management communication must:

• foster a trusty environment;
• maintain a clear communication in the culture of the organization;
• give feedback to motivate employees;
• keep the confidence in leaders, managers and employees.

Significance in Times of Crisis (e.g. pandemic)

Effective-communication in time of crisis is being able to define problems, consider options, make choices and implement a plan. Prioritize is essential when in crises. Being able to clearly identify what is the most important thing to do in a given circumstance or situation, is the first step to start solving-problems. Therefore, one of the most important skills of client-centered help and support on social level is a sufficiently high level of effective-communication.