Communication
-is the process individuals use to create shared meaning in an interaction.
-goal is to approach a common understanding of a message.
Factors affecting an individual's ability to communicate
1) Gender
2) Language
3) Culture
4) Past experiences
5) Speaking and writing skills
1. Modes of Communication
1) Written
-occurs through formats such as memos, emails, reports or letters
2) Verbal
-Consists of oral methods such as person-to-person or person-to-group conversation and voicemail
3) Nonverbal
-refers to gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and movement
Direction of Communication
1) Downward
-Moves from the top to the bottom of an organization
-assumes that there is a defined hierarchy with leaders at the top levels and staff members at lower levels
2) Upward
-begins at the staff level and moves up to the leadership levels
-generally occurs when staff members report information to management
3) Lateral
-Occurs when the staff members or managers communicate with their peers either their department or in other department.
4) Diagonal
-occurs between individuals who are at different levels in the organization and in different departments.
1) Tips for effective communication
1) Communicate a desire to be understood.
2) Know your audience.
3) Let your audience know if you need a response.
4) Select a communication method that matches the complexity of the message.
5) Cite references when using data.
6) Observe standards of privacy, style, grammar.
Tips for oral communication
1) Establish trust.
2) Use "I" messages.
3) Keep promises.
4) Exhibit empathy.
5) Use an open style.
6) Clarify.
7) Be sensitive to body language and touch.
8) Listen.
Tips during oral presentation
1) Speak clearly.
2) Connect with the audience.
3) Maintain eye contact.
4) Use nonverbal techniques.
5) Consider your pattern of movement.
6) Avoid reading the presentation.
7) End