WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

DEFINITIONS:
1. Communication is much more than an understanding of
the written or spoken word. It is a composite of gestures,
symbols and illustrations that accompany either the
written or spoken word.

2. Communication is an exchange and progression of ideas,

feelings and concepts between two or more people
towards a mutually accepted goal or direction.
Elements of Communication
1. Sender/Speaker/Encoder –(Encoding is the process of
formulating a message from the senders idea)
2. Message – An encoded idea by the sender
3. Channel/Route/Medium – the passage( oral, written,
nonverbal)
4. Receiver/Listener/Decoder – (Decoding is the process of
interpreting the message from the sender)
5. Feedback – Response given
THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

Sends it via a chosen

Puts it into a ‘Decodes’ the message
route
communication language of the message

Forms the idea

of the message
 

Checks it is fully understood

Confirms it has been received

and understood
TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
DIFFERENT WAYS TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY
IN THE WORKPLACE
1. Oral or Listening Communication
Its made up of 2 aspects:
-words
-Articulation-manner in
Which one speaks.
Examples of Oral communication
a. Face to face communication:

b. Meetings:
c. Presentations:

d. Training:
2. Non verbal communication

Body Language:

-Hand gestures
-Facial expressions
-Dressing
3.Written Communication.

-Reports
-Letters
-Memorandum
-Minutes
-Position papers
 Differences between oral and written communication
ORAL COMMUNICATION WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
• Its interactive - non interactive
•Its extremely fluid and knows no limit -it is a frozen medium
•Deals with basic issues - deals with complex issues
•It is brief and succinct -it takes a comparatively
long time to formulate ideas and put
them down

10
•Can be conducted almost any where -Places where written correspondence
is. place where the two received are highly restrictive
participants meet

-there is less impact of the message -It has greater impact

-Feedback is almost always immediate -Feedback is delayed

-
 MODELS OF COMMUNICATION
A model is a systematic representation of an object or event. Models of
communication are conceptual models used to explain the human
communication process.

1.Linear Model
The linear model views communication as a one-way or linear process in
which the speaker speaks and the listener listens.
(a) Laswell’s (1948) model
b. Shannon and Weaver’s (1949) Linear model
This Linear model includes noise or interference that distorts
understanding between the speaker and the listener.
2. Interactive Model (Schramm – 1955)
Schramm came out with a more interactive model that saw the receiver or
listener providing feedback to the sender or speaker either verbally or
non-verbally, or in both ways. 
3. Transactional Model
This is a much later model which assumes that people are connected through
communication; they engage in transaction.
- First, it recognizes that each of us is a sender-receiver, not merely a sender
or a receiver.
- Secondly, it recognizes that communication affects all parties involved.
There are three implications in the transactional model:

• “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.

• In any transactional process, each element exists in relation to all the

other elements.

• Each person in the communication process reacts depending on factors

such as their background, prior experiences, attitudes, cultural beliefs
and self-esteem. 
Communication and Symbolic Interactionism
Herbert Blumer, who coined the term ‘symbolic interactionism’ stated that
‘people act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them;
and these meanings are derived from social interaction and modified through
interpretation’.

Blumer set out three basic premises :

• Humans act toward things on the basis of the meanings they ascribe to those
things.
• The meaning of such things is derived from, or arises out of, the social
interaction that one has with others and the society.
• These meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretative
process used by the person in dealing with the things he/she encounters
PURPOSE OF COMMUNICATION
• Planning and carrying out activities

• Coordinating approaches with others

• Providing information to others

• Receiving information from others

• Building a positive relationship

• Understanding roles and assignments

 CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION
Vertical communication Lateral / Horizontal Diagonal Communication: Communication:
Bypassing channel of Grapevine Communication
communication
BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

DEFINITION

A barrier is a blockade or hindrance that disturbs

the smooth flow of information
SENDER ORIENTED BARRIERS
BARRIER CAUSATIVE FACTORS REMEDIES
• Loss in impact badly expressed message Think prior to speaking

• Ineffective grasp Loss in transmission Remove physical noise

of message
• Misunderstood Semantic problem Use simple language
statements
• Groping for Over/under communication Make the quantum of
right message communication
• Lack of “I – attitude” Minimize usage of I
collaborative effort
• Biased communication Prejudices Formulate messages with an open
mind
RECEIVER ORIENTED BARRIERS
BARRIER CAUSATIVE FACTORS REMEDIES
• Dichotomy in reception and Poor retention Jot down points
Comprehension

• Partial grasp of topic Inattentive listening Keep the mind open

(improve concentration)

• Distancing from the speakerTendency to evaluate Delay evaluation

• Lack of interest Differences in interests Find an area of interest

and attitudes
Cont’d
BARRIER CAUSATIVE FACTORS REMEDIES
• Mental turbulence Conflicting information Check reliability and
Validity( confirm with
feedback, clarify)
• Superior attitude Differing status/ position/ Listen to ideas
self experience (Encourage juniors to
come up with ideas and
listen)
• Mental block Resistance to change Be open to changes
(Be flexible)
• Lack of provision Refutations and arguments Enter into healthy
of correct feedback discussions