The TEN C’s of Communication

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 Do we want our communication to be effective, humane –
and maybe enjoyable?

10 C’s of effective communication

are applicable to both
written as well as oral
communication.

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 A day of Communication

Think of how often you communicate with people during your day.

What do you do?

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 So much communication going on

At home: Talking, singing, laughing, crying, shouting, wispering, making

necessary or unnecessary noises, being silent – not so much about being
effective, written and sometimes not even oral.

In your workplace effectivity is much more in demand: You chat with

your colleagues, make phone calls, send text messages, write emails,
attend or facilitate meetings, create reports, … the list goes on.

We spend almost our entire day communicating. So how can we can

make sure that we communicate in the clearest and, when needed, most
effective way possible.

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 Complete

In a complete message, the receiver/s gets all the facts they need to be
informed about and, if applicable, take action.
Does your message include a "call to action," so that your receiver/s
clearly knows what you want them to do?
Have you included all relevant information – contact names, dates,
times, locations, and so on?
The sender of the message must take into consideration the receiver’s
mind set and convey the message accordingly.
Complete communication helps in better decision-making by the
readers/receivers of the message as they get all desired and crucial
information.

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 Concrete

When your message is concrete, then your receiver/s has a

clear picture of what you're telling them. There are facts and
needed details, and there is focus. Your message is solid.
Concrete communication implies being particular and clear
rather than vague and general.
A concrete message has the following features:
 It is supported with specific facts and figures.
 It makes use of language and words that are clear.
 It leaves no space for misinterpretation.

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 Clear

When writing or speaking to someone, be clear about your goal or message. What is your

purpose in communicating with this person? Be sure about it.

People shouldn't have to "read between the lines" and make assumptions on their own to

understand what you're trying to say.

The message must be put in simple terms. Words used must have exactly the same meaning to

the sender as they do to the receiver.

Clarity implies emphasizing on a specific message or goal at a time:

 It makes understanding easier.

 Complete clarity of thoughts and ideas enhances the meaning of the message.

 A clear message makes use of exact, appropriate and concrete words.

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 Concise

When you're concise in your communication, you stick to the point and
keep it brief.
Conciseness means communicating what you want to convey in least
possible words. Conciseness is a necessity for effective communication.
It has he following features:

It is time-saving and cost-saving.

It underlines and highlights the main message as it avoids using
excessive and needless words.

Concise communication provides short and essential message in limited
words.

Concise message is more appealing and comprehensible.

Concise message is non-repetitive in nature.

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 Correct

Correct communication is error-free communication.

Do the technical terms you use fit your audience's level of education or
knowledge?
Have you checked your writing for grammatical errors?
Are all names and titles spelled correctly?
Correct communication has following features:

The message is exact, correct and well-timed.

A correct message has a greater impact on the audience/ readers.

It checks for the precision and accurateness of facts and figures used in
the message.

It makes use of appropriate and correct language in the message.

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 Considerate

Consideration implies “stepping into the shoes of others”. Effective

communication must take the receiver/s into consideration, i.e,
view points, background, mind-set, education level, etc.
Make an attempt to envisage their requirements, emotions as well
as problems.
Modify your words in the message to suit the receiver's needs while
making your message complete.
Features of considerate communication are as follows:

Empathize with the receiver/s and show your interest.

Show optimism. Emphasize on “what is possible” rather than
“what is impossible”. Make use of positive words.

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 Courteous

Courteous communication is polite, friendly, open, and honest. There are

no hidden insults or passive-aggressive tones. You keep your receiver/s
viewpoint in mind, and you're empathetic to their needs.
A courteous message has the following features:
 Courtesy implies taking into consideration both viewpoints as well as
feelings of the receiver of the message.
 Courteous message is positive and focused at the audience.
 It makes use of terms showing respect for the receiver of message.
 It is not at all biased.

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 Coherent

When 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.

Did you notice that this is already C 8? Some sources also add coherence to the seven
Cs of effective communication.

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 Credible

Does your message improve or highlight your

credibility?
This is especially important when communicating with
an audience that doesn't know much about you.

Did you notice that this is already C 9? Some sources also add credibility to the seven
Cs of effective communication.

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 Creative

Does your message communicate creatively?

Creative communication helps keep your audience
engaged.

Of course you have noticed that this is already C 10! Some sources also add creativity
to the seven Cs of effective communication.

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 10 Cs

Complete
Concrete
Clear
Concise
Correct
Considerate
Courteous
Coherent
Credible
Creative

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 References

http://www.managementstudyguide.com/seven-cs-of-effective-communication.htm
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_77.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_Public_Relations

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 Daghang salamat
Thank you
for your attention!
The Caraga Area Team of forumZFD

philippines@forumzfd.de

http://www.forumZFD.de/en

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