Effective Communications

There are many things to be learnt, practised and established as a habit for developing good
communication skills. Communication skills reflect efficiency of an individual. One of the norms of good
communication are eight Cs of communication:

(i) Clarity: The contents of the message shall be clear; the communicator shall know what is
being communicated and keep control on communication to make sure that the message is
without any ambiguity. The concepts of communication shall be clear with the
communicator so that the message is communicated clearly for the receiver to receive it
clearly. If there are confusions with the communicator about the message, he/she is sure to
send out a confused message.
Example: If we are appearing in an interview and are put a question to reply, we shall be
clear to understand the question and then we must reply to the question in a clear manner.
Our clarity in the response determines our information and knowledge.

(ii) Complete: The expression of communication shall be complete. Incomplete sentences

convey incomplete and imperfect information. The group of sentences used shall make a
complete sense of the message.
Example: The question may demand a small answer or a long one. We shall give a reply
accordingly, but the reply shall be complete. If we are required to give descriptive answers,
we shall use a set of sentences, so that the information, in reply to the question put to us, is
complete. It shall not leave a gap to show our information is incomplete.

(iii) Concise: Communication shall be brief. There shall not be unwanted explanation and
description. Adding details that are not required makes the communication boring and
uninteresting.
Example: In response to the questions in an interview, the replies shall be complete but not
overloaded with excessive verbosity and explanations. We shall be brief and to-the-point.
The interviewers may put further questions to know your knowledge level, if they need any
further explanation.

(iv) Coherent: The message and the means of communication to explain the idea shall be
systematic. One expression shall be complementary to the other expression. The word of
mouth and the body language shall be supportive of each other. The whole information
about a topic shall be expressed as a single set in a coherent manner. There shall be no
baffling to indicate hesitation and lack of confidence in the communication.
Example: If we are put a question about the causes of pollution in an interview and we start
talking about pollution and switch over ill-effects of pollution and then talk about the
measures of controlling it, giving incomplete information about each by jumping from one
area to another area of pollution, it shows we are not coherent in our expressions to answer
the main question in a proper manner. We are primarily asked to reply about the causes of
pollution.
(v) Concrete: Communication concrete when we support it with appropriate data, examples
and facts. This makes the communication reliable and acceptable. The information shall be
to-the-point, substantiated with relevant evidence. The communication shall not be hazy
with lot of expressions but nothing concrete. Pointed communication is appreciated
because it conveys messages in a crisp manner.
Example: If we are put a question during the interview to elaborate some measures to
control water pollution, it is proper to reply to the question in a pointed manner. Tell five
points directly that will help in controlling water pollution. The interviewers will then decide
to discuss the topic further in a manner they want.

(vi) Correct: The facts and the data that are communicated shall be correct and reliable. There
shall not be any bluff or misappropriation in a communication. Correctness of the
information in the communication has a great effect on the efficiency and influence of the
communication.
Example: What we say during an interview shall be correct. Any attempt to bluff the
interviewers or trying to formulate answers not based on facts and reliable sources creates a
bad relationship with the interviewers. They take incorrectness as a limitation for
unworthiness.

(vii) Courtesy: A communicator shall always have and maintain the receiver in high esteem. The
receivers of the communication are important because no communication can take place
without receivers of the message. The receivers are to be treated with considerations and in
a courteous manner. Courtesy keeps the receivers interested in the communication and
they remain attentive. Thus, the communication becomes effective and efficient. The
communication expression, whether verbal or non-verbal, shall show regard for the receiver
and reflect peace and dignity. Courtesy is appreciated by all.
Example: The body language, dress, etiquette and presentation shall be polite. It shall
express confidence and trust in one’s ownself. There may be a point of discussion with the
panel of interviewers but we shall be courteous in our expression to tell our point clearly
and confidently. Any expression of discourtesy plays a spoil sport in an interview. There shall
be no reason to get into discourteous manners and expressions.

(viii) Catch up with the receiver: A communication is complete with a feedback from the
receivers of the message. It is a skill to catch up with the receivers of the message and
modulate the pattern and form of communication for effectiveness and influence. This is
readily and directly possible in face-to-face communication. It is also adopted in other forms
of communication based on the feedback received through indirect sources. The gap
between the communicator and the receiver shall be bridged to have two-way
communication. When the communicators are able to catch up with their receivers, they
modulate their message and send it out in a manner that the receivers are ready to catch
up. In this way, relationship is created between the communicator and the receiver.
Example: The person who is appearing in an interview shall have the sensitivity to catch up
with the interviewers. Though the interviewers are experts to assess the interviewee, yet
the sensitivity of the candidate to catch up by his/her information and adaptability during
the course of interview reflects the adjustability of the candidate in different situations.