Seven major elements of communication process are: (1) sender (2) ideas (3) encoding

(4) communication channel (5) receiver (6) decoding and (7) feedback.

Communication may be defined as a process concerning exchange of facts or ideas

between persons holding different positions in an organization to achieve mutual
harmony. The communication process is dynamic in nature rather than a static
phenomenon.

Sender: The person who intends to convey the message with the intention of passing
information and ideas to others is known as sender or communicator.

Ideas: This is the subject matter of the communication. This may be an opinion,
attitude, feelings, views, orders, or suggestions.

Encoding: Since the subject matter of communication is theoretical and intangible, its
further passing requires use of certain symbols such as words, actions or pictures etc.
Conversion of subject matter into these symbols is the process of encoding.

Communication Channel: The person who is interested in communicating has to

choose the channel for sending the required information, ideas etc. This information is
transmitted to the receiver through certain channels which may be either formal or
informal.

Receiver: is the person who receives the message or for whom the message is meant
for. It is the receiver who tries to understand the message in the best possible manner in
achieving the desired objectives.

Decoding: The person who receives the message or symbol from the communicator
tries to convert the same in such a way so that he may extract its meaning to his
complete understanding.

Feedback: Feedback is the process of ensuring that the receiver has received the
message and understood in the same sense as sender meant it.

Types of feedback

Positive feedback: is the kind of feedback which is more or less acceptable or

satisfactory to the sender. It means that the recipient of the message has responded in
the way intended by the sender and taken the intended course of action. It signifies that
everything is on the right track and no corrective measure regarding communication is
necessary.

Negative feedback: if the recipient does not understand what the sender wants to
convey, the feedback must be poor and further communication becomes necessary to
wipe out the misunderstanding. Thus, negative feedback suggests that the
communication has not been effective and some correction, adjustment or re-assessment
is required in the process.

Constructive feedback: is guidance that helps the recipient achieve a positive outcome.

Who does the Encoding, Decoding and Feedback in the process of Communication?
The sender does the encoding, and the receiver does the decoding and feedback.

Conclusion
Communication is the greatest importance. It is important to sharing out one's thoughts
and feelings to live a fuller and happier life. The more we communicate the less we
suffer and the better we feel about everything around.
Successful and effective communication for an individual, group or an organization
starts with the right implementation of the communication process. Effective
communication leads to understanding. Through this process that the sharing of a
common meaning between the sender and the receiver takes place.