Knowledge in communication and soft skills on viden.io

Knowledge in communication and soft skills

Elements of Communication : How to be a good communicator

How to be a good communicatorTo be a good communicator, one needs to:a)  Express own reflections and ideas clearlyb)  Develop relationshipsc)  Provide feedback (answers, reacts)d)  Be open to others’ feedback (accept others answer without prejudice, references etc.e)  Respect attitudes and opinions of othersf)  Be tolerant to different customs and culturesg)  Give full attention to people while they are talking to you.h)  Encourage other people to talk, and ask appropriate questions.i)   Present your ideas so that others are receptive to your point of view.j)  Treat people fairly and let others know how you want to be treated.k)  Value teamwork and know how to build cooperation and commitment.l)   Strive to understand other people and to be empathetic.m) Be able to easily win people’s trust and respect.n)  Check to make sure you have understood what other people are trying to communicate.o)  Follow through on your commitments.p)  Be able to work with people you have difficulties with without becoming negative.Elements of CommunicationThere are models which try to explain the communication process. A model is an explanation of the occurrences in a phenomenon. Elements of communication have been explained in different models which attempt to explain the communication process. Communication is a two-way process that results in a shared meaning or common understanding between the sender and the receiver. An understanding of how communication works can help us to understand and improve our communication. The elements of communication enable us to understand how communication works. The basic communication model consists of five elements of communication: the sender, the receiver, the message, the channel and feedback. This is the originating point of any communication act. It is the source who gets the urge that necessitates communication for the purpose of satisfying that urge. The stronger the stimulus or the urge the greater is the need to communicate. The greater the need to communicate, the more the need is for effectiveness. The source is also referred to as the sender, or encoder.Encoding is the process of putting ones thoughts into words.Encoder is the person who translates his/her thoughts into meaningful words. ReceiverThe receiver means the party to whom the sender transmits the message. A receiver can be one person or an entire audience of people. A receiver is the eventual recipient of the message. The receiver is also the decoder of the message. Decoding of a message is as integral to communication as encoding it. Decoding is the process of giving meaning to the encoded message. It can also be referred to as extracting the embedded meaning or interpreting what was encoded by the sender. The ability of the receiver in decoding the message correctly is decisive in understanding the message in its holistic sense.Noise/ BarriersAnything that is competing the source’s and the receivers’ attention is called noise. Barriers to communication are the factors that contribute towards the total or partial loss or failure of the communication. In simple terms they can be referred to as those features that act as blocks to the desired outcome of any communication process. They are many and very multidimensional in nature. Noise can be internal or external.a)  Internal: Noise that is coming from within the interlocutors such as a headache, anger, stress, e.t.cb)  External noise: Noise from the environment such as; cars passing, children shouting, siren from an ambulance e.t.c.MessageThe message is the most crucial element of effective communication. A message can come in many different forms, such as an oral presentation, a written document, an advertisement or just a comment. The message is not necessarily what the sender intends it to be. Rather, the message is what the receiver perceives the message to be. As a result, the sender must not only compose the message carefully, but also evaluate the ways in which the message can be interpreted.ChannelThe message travels from one point to another via a channel of communication. The channel sits between the sender and receiver. There are many channels, or types, of communication channels for example, from the spoken word to radio, television, an Internet site or something written, like a book, letter or magazine.Every channel of communication has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, one disadvantage of the written word, on a computer screen or in a book, is that the receiver cannot evaluate the tone of the message. For this reason, effective communicators word written communications clearly so they don't rely on a specific tone of voice to convey the message accurately. The advantages of television as a channel for communication include its expansive reach to a wide audience and the sender's ability to further manipulate the message using editing and special effects.FeedbackThe last element of effective communication is feedback. This is the response from the receiver and later the source. Feedback is the receiver's response or reaction to the sender's message. The receiver can transmit feedback through asking questions, making comments or just supporting the message that was delivered. Feedback helps the sender to determine how the receiver interpreted the message and how it can be improved. Without feedback the communication process breaks down. The feedback given determines the direction the communication process will take.A communication process that employs all the elements works as follows:The source has an urge–a need that requires being satisfied encodes the message in verbal and/or non-verbal language that is considered to best communicate the message according to the intent..In order to make that happen, it has to be in a form and format that conveys the intent in the best possible manner.This message is encapsulated in the linguistic conventions such as symbols i.e., words besides signs that can be referred to as non-verbal language.The message will go through a channel, a means of communication such as e-mail, face to face or phone conversation, letter, presentation etc.The receiver will then decode the message using conventions, cultural or contextual background, and language skills. The message that is received or interpreted might or might not be the same as the sent one and may not necessarily meet the intent of the messenger.

Communications +5 more

Mousumi Manna

Models of Communication

MODELS OF COMMUNICATIONThe purpose of a “model” is to offer a visual representation of a concept with the intent of facilitating its understanding. Models of communication refers to the conceptual model used to explain the human communication process. Following the basic concept, communication is the process of sending and receiving messages or transferring information from one part (sender) to another (receiver).Traditionally speaking, there are three standard models of the communication process:Linear, Interactive, and Transactional, and each offers a slightly different perspective on the communication process.Linear ModelThe linear model views communication as a one-way or linear process in which the speaker speaks and the listener listens. Laswell’s (1948)The main flaw in the linear model is that it depicts communication as a one-way process where speakers only speak and never listen. It also implies that listeners listen and never speak or send messages.Interactive ModelSchramm (1955) in Wood (2009) came out with a more interactive model that saw the receiver or listener providing feedback to the sender or speaker. The speaker or sender of the message also listens to the feedback given by the receiver or listener. Both the speaker and the listener take turns to speak and listen to each other. Feedback is given either verbally or non-verbally, or in both ways.The main drawback in the interactive model is that it does not indicate that communicators can both send and receive messages simultaneously. This model also fails to show that communication is a dynamic process which changes over time.Transactional ModelThe transactional model shows that the elements in communication are interdependent. Each person in the communication act is both a speaker and a listener, and can be simultaneously sending and receiving messages.There are three implications in the transactional model:i.  “Transactional” means that communication is an ongoing and continuously changing process. You are changing, the people with whom you are communicating are changing, and your environment is also continually changing as well.ii.  In any transactional process, each element exists in relation to all the other elements. There is this interdependence where there can be no source without a receiver and no message without a source.iii.  Each person in the communication process reacts depending on factors such as their background, prior experiences, attitudes, cultural beliefs and self- esteem.Transactional model of communication takes into account “noise” or interference in communication as well as the time factor. The outer lines of the model indicate that communication happens within systems that both communicators share (e.g., a common campus, hometown, and culture) or personal systems (e.g., family, religion, friends, etc). It also takes into account changes that happen in the communicators’ fields of personal and common experiences. The model also labels each communicator as both sender as well as receiver simultaneously.

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH +4 more

Mousumi Manna

Effective Communication

Effective CommunicationAlthough we can all communicate, not all our communication acts are effective. We must all strive to be effective communicators.So, what is effective communication?This is that communication which produces results. It is communication where the intended message is delivered clearly, and the desired feedback is achieved. It is communication that does not give room for misunderstanding. It is the best form of communication.Communication can be effective or it can be misunderstood leading to ineffectiveness. Meaning communication must be effective. Ineffective communication is expensive to the participants because it blocks results. In other words communication is a matter of effectiveness. Effectiveness is a measure of outcome. Effective communication therefore results in the form of desired outcome.Effective Communication is communication that conveys information to another person efficiently and effectively and so achieves desired outcome.It is important to note that not all communication are effective. This course aims to help the learners to become effective communicators both at the university and later in their professional fields.Communication is a process that can be marked with error such as with messages muddled (i.e., mixed up by the sender, or misinterpreted by the recipient).Miscommunication is avoidable. However, if this is not detected, it can cause tremendous confusion, waste efforts and miss opportunities. In fact, communication is successful only when both the sender and the receiver reach a common understanding regarding the same information as a result of the communication process.Effective communication is about receiving information from others with as little distortion as possible. Communication is a matter of effectiveness, which is dependent on the interlocutors’ (speakers’) communication competency. In other words its effectiveness is dependent on one’s competency in communication. We can therefore say that communication involves intents and efforts from both the sender of the message and the receiver.Effective Communication SkillsEffective Communication skills must include: communicating using·                Eye contact & visible mouth·                Body language·                Checking for understanding·                Smiling face·                Summarizing what has been said·                Encouragement to continue·                Asking some questions·                silence

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH +4 more

Mousumi Manna

7 C's of Effective Communication

The 7 Cs of CommunicationThe 7 Cs provide a checklist for making sure that your meetings, emails, conference calls, reports, and presentations are well constructed and clear so your audience gets your message. According to the 7Cs, communication needs to be:·         Clear.·         Concise.·         Concrete.·         Correct.·         Coherent.·         Complete.·         Courteous.1. ClearWhen writing or speaking to someone, be clear about your goal or message. What is your purpose in communicating with this person? If you’re not sure, then youraudience won’t be sure either. To be clear, try to minimize the number of ideas in each sentence. Make sure that it’s easy for your reader to understand yourmeaning. People shouldn’t have to “read between the lines” and make assumptions on their own to understand what you’re trying to say.2 .ConciseWhen you are concise in your communication, you stick to the point and keep it brief. Your audience doesn’t want to read six sentences when you could communicate your message in three.3.ConcreteWhen your message is concrete, then your audience has a clear picture of what you’re telling them. There are details (but not too many!) and vivid facts. Your message is solid.Look at these two examples: For Example:a)     The Lunchbox Wizard will save you time every day.b)     How much time do you spend every day packing your kids’ lunches? No more! Just take a complete Lunchbox Wizard from your refrigerator each day to give your kids a healthy lunch AND have more time to play or read with them!4. CorrectWhen your communication is correct, it fits your audience. And correct communication is also error free communication.5. CoherentWhen your communication is coherent, it’s logical. All points are connected and relevant to the main topic, and the tone and flow of the text is consistent.6. CompleteIn a complete message, the audience has everything they need to be informed and, if applicable, take action. Does your message include a “call to action”, so that your audience clearly knows what you want them to do? Have you included all relevant information – contact names, dates, times, locations, and so on?7. Courteous/considerationCourteous communication is friendly, open, and honest and does not illicit emotions. There are no hidden insults or passive aggressive tones. You keep your reader’s viewpoint in mind, and you’re empathetic to their needs. You must always put yourself in the shoes of the person you are talking to and ask yourself how you would feel if you were to be addressed the way you are addressing your receiver.Consideration in communication creates a healthy work environment.

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH +4 more

Mousumi Manna

Listening : Second most important thing of communication

Listeners must first hear what is said. Listening skills involve identifying and selecting relevant points recognised as having meaning; that are understood and held in short-term memory. These can be related to what has gone before and to what comes after. Any information considered important is selected and stored for future reference in the long term memory.Decoding (understanding) a message is generally easier for the listener if a person is speaking rather than reading something out loud. In addition the speaker's facial expressions, and the stress placed on words help the listener to understand the message.Developing effective listening skills involves two specific steps (Hartley & Bruckman, 2002). These are:1. To develop the ability to recognize and deal with barriers that prevents you listening with full attention.2. To develop and use behaviors which help you to listen. Such behaviors can also serve to let the other person know that you are giving them your full attention.Listening is the absorption of the meanings of words and sentences by the brain. Listening leads to the understanding of facts and ideas. To listen is to pay attention, or sticking to the task at hand in spite of distractions. It requires concentration, which is the focusing of your thoughts upon one particular problem.A person who incorporates listening with concentration is actively listening. Active listening is a method of responding to another that encourages communication.Active listening is composed of six distinct componentsn Hearing: The physiological process of receiving sound and/or other stimuli.n Attending: The conscious and unconscious process of focusing attention on external stimuli.n Interpreting: The process of decoding the symbols or behavior attended to.n Evaluating: The process of deciding the value of the information to the receiver.n Remembering: The process of placing the appropriate information into short-term or long-term storage.n Responding: The process of giving feedback to the source and/or other receivers.

LISTENING +4 more

Mousumi Manna

Barriers in listening

Barriers to ListeningThe following list identifies just some possible barriers to effective listening;1.   sources of noise2.  Forming a judgment or evaluation before we understand what is being said, or ‘jumping to conclusions’.3.  Hearing what we want to hear.4.  Tuning out a point of view that differs from our own.5.  Formulating and rehearsing our response.6.  Being inattentive - thinking about something else entirely.7.  Having a closed mind- you do not want to hear what the person has to say.8.  Feeling anxious or self-conscious.9.  Judging the person, either positively or negatively.10. Subjective biases based on ignorance or prejudice.11. Cultural issues, e.g. listening to the differences in pronunciation of different accent, rather than the content of the message.12. Excessive and incessant talking or interrupting.It is important that such barriers to listening are recognized and dealt with. With developing awareness, we can have more control over those barriers that are internal to ourselves, and can adopt and use more helpful listening behaviors.

Communications +4 more

Mousumi Manna

Listening effectively tips

LISTENING EFFECTIVELY TIPSListening effectively is hearing and understanding what a speaker is saying and how it applies to you, and then remembering it for future use and evaluation. There are ways to improve your listening skills for lectures. The following is a list of some basic techniques:1. Recognize how ideas are organized. Lectures usually begin with some type of introduction, followed by a thesis statement which is supported by additional information. Most professors bring closure to their lecture by summarizing what they have covered. Learn to identify the lecture style that is used by your professor.2. Become involved in what is being said. Be an avid listener. Constantly analyze what is being said.3. Cut through (or screen out) distractions.•   background noise•   unusual accents, dialects, and language mistakes•   speaker disorganization, emotion, or habits•   unrelated material•   your own inner voice4. Organize statements into main points and supporting reasons. Using an outline form may be helpful.5. Discriminate between relevancies and irrelevancies. Remember that not all information is important.6. Maintain an active body state. Keeping alert and having eye-contact with the speaker will help you listen more effectively.In order to improve your listening skills, you will need to practice using the suggested techniques until they become automatic

Listening skills +6 more

Mousumi Manna

c lang unit 5.a for engg

This presentation is prepared by faculty of sreenidhi. It helps to have a better glance of important topics before any competitive exams. It gives us vivid knowledge in different areas. These presentations give better and clear understanding for topics mentioned. These presentations help students to prepare for competitive exams and also to have a quick glance for topics mentioned.

Classical Languages +2 more

kajjapu manikanta