Communication skills
Communitcation skills can be defined as the process of expressing ideas and feelings or the process
of giving information and speech.
In the process of communication, the following points are considered;
1. Reason we communicate
2. The way we communicate
3. When we communicate
4. The thigs that interferes with accurate communication
5. The main component of personality that influence communication.
REASON WHY WE COMMUNICATE
1. To instruct, teach or educate.
2. To issue orders
3. To exchange thought or ideas.
4. Attempt to influence others.
5. Express ideas. Etc.
WAYS OF COMMUNICATION
1. verbal communication
2. Non- verbal communication
Verbal communication: is any exchange that uses spoken words to convey
information. This could either be between on person or with many people. And it's a
two-way process. Meaning it takes both a sender (the person talking) and a receiver
(the person listening/receiving the message).
Non - verbal communication skills are ways to convey thoughts and feelings through
visual cues instead of verbal ones. Some examples of nonverbal communication skills
include: Facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, appearance, tone of voice etc.
CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION
1. Downward communication
2. Upward communication
3. Horizontal communication
4. Grapevine communication.
Downward Communication: Downward communication is the process of passing
information down through an organization's hierarchy, from upper levels to lower
levels. It's a vital part of organizational communication, and can help ensure that
everyone is working towards the same goals. examples of downward
communication:
Managers speaking directly with employees
Senior management sharing information with middle managers, who then share it
with their teams
Upper management delegating tasks
Upper management conveying company policies
Upper management providing feedback to lower-level employees
Some benefits of downward communication include:
Maintaining the company's hierarchical structure
Promoting company efficiency
Improving delegation
Simplifying communication of a company's goals
Including employees in the company's development
Improving company morale
Increasing individual performance
Upward communication: is the process in which employees
provide feedback to their managers and company leadership Upward
communication can be important for a company's culture and for employee
engagement and satisfaction. It can help employees feel more connected to
the company and give them a voice to share their thoughts.
Some challenges to upward communication include:
Fear of authority
Internal belief systems
Leaders who are loud, abusive, or dominant
Horizontal communication: is the exchange of information between people or
groups at the same level in an organization. It's also known as lateral
communication. Effective horizontal communication can lead to a positive workplace
culture, improved productivity, and reduced conflict.
Some examples of horizontal communication include:
Team meetings
Slack messages
Quick huddles
Peer reviews
Conversations between colleagues who report to the same manager
Collaborations between departments working on a joint project
Sending a memo to a colleague
Emailing a department
Catching up with a teammate over coffee
Grapevine communication: is an informal, unofficial way for people within an
organization to share information. It's often characterized by rumors, gossip, and
hearsay, and it can be fast-paced, spontaneous, and unreliable. Grapevine
communication can occur when formal communication channels fail or don't work
properly. It can also happen when employees feel uncertain, sense preferential
treatment, or don't have self-confidence.
Grapevine communication can have both positive and negative effects on an
organization:
Positive effects
It can help employees build relationships and morale, and it can contribute to a more
cohesive work environment.
Negative effects
It can spread misinformation and rumors, and it can be unreliable. Social media and
other applications can make grapevine communication even faster, which can have a
large impact on people.
Component of communication
The components of communication include:
Source: The sender of the message
Message: The information being conveyed
Channel: The method used to deliver the message
Receiver: The recipient of the message
Feedback: The response from the receiver to the sender
Context: The factors that help determine the meaning of the message
Environment: The surrounding conditions
Interference: Any factors that may disrupt the communication process
Media of communication
This include the following;
1. Mass media: this includes newspaper, radio and television broadcast. The
number of people used through this means is large as such it can be beneficial for
2. Displays: these are arrangements of real objects, pictures e.t.c which people look
at and learn. Displays provides many ideas and information while poster
contains only one idea.
3. Poster: these are large sheet of papers wtith words and pictures or
representation that are put across to pass message.
4. Photograph: these can show people new ideas or new skills. They are best used
by individuals and small groups.
5. Flip charts: these are made up of posters to be shown one after the other.
Others are ;
Flannel graphs
Tape recording
Film and material
Role play.
Barriers to communication
Emotional barriers
Negative feelings about people, places, or situations can cause fear and mistrust,
which can make it difficult to interact.
Physical barriers
These are obstacles that make it hard to communicate clearly, such as noisy
environments, physical walls, or faulty communication tools.
Cultural barriers
People from different cultures and historical periods may have different
communication styles, thought patterns, non-verbal cues, and interpretations.
Language barriers
These can include using slang, jargon, or technical words that are difficult to
understand.
Physiological barriers
Impaired eyesight, hearing problems, illness, and pain can make it difficult to
communicate.
Interpersonal barriers
These are negative patterns of behavior that can make it difficult to communicate or
discourage others from communicating with you
