The process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts and feelings between the sender and receiver is known as communication. To have successful communication there must be three things i.e, sender, receiver and the medium in any communication process.
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10 Characteristics of Communication
In this section we will see some of the major characteristics of communication.
Involvement of at least two people: The very first characteristic of communication is the involvement of two or more two parties. Only a single person cannot convey any message there must be a listener to have a complete communication process.
Active listening: Active listening doesn’t mean just listening to other words but having a clear understanding of what he/she is conveying. Being an active listener helps to build good relationships and ensure understanding.
Purpose of communication: Another important characteristic of communication is the purpose of communication. It means there must be some message, if there is no message there will be no communication. The general purpose of communication is to create a proper understanding between the sender and receiver.
Clarity: The written form or spoken form of any information should be to the point so that the receiver will get the message. To make it clear we can use short sentences, focus on using active voice, and must be in simple form avoiding the use of bombastic words.
Concise: To convey your message concisely try to write the main theme of the message clearly and to the point which helps you to save time and trouble. If the message is fully concise it helps the reader to concentrate on important sections, improves the information processing and improves better understanding.
Correctness: While writing a message focus must be given to the grammar and use of syntax it helps to promote the efficiency and reliability of the message enhancing effective communication.
Completeness: Another important characteristic of effective communication includes the whole picture. Neglecting some information can be a big chunk of confusion and misunderstanding. When a message is complete, it means that all the relevant details and context have been included, leaving no space for misinterpretation.
Verbal and nonverbal communication:
Effective Communication consists of both verbal (spoken or written words) and nonverbal (facial expressions, gestures, body language, tone of voice, etc.). Nonverbal cues often play a crucial role in conveying meaning.
Feedback: Communication is most effective when the receiver gives feedback to the sender. Feedback ensures that the message is understood properly and allows for clarification or change.
Dynamic and ongoing:
Communication is a dynamic and continuing process. When circumstances change, communication may need to be altered or adapted to fit the changing demands of the participants.
In essence, effective communication requires at least two parties to actively listen with a defined objective. Clarity, conciseness, accuracy, and completeness are critical for effective delivery of messages. Meaningful communication involves both verbal and nonverbal factors. Feedback is essential for comprehension because communication is a dynamic, continuing process that responds to changing conditions.
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