COMMUNICATION SKILLS-an effective management tool

COMMUNICATION SKILLS-an effective management tool 

In order to make communication an effective management tool we must understand the essential
elements of communication and how it creates an impact on inter personal relationships and productivity in any workplace.
As professionals we are required to handle different situations where different styles and means of
communication need to be used. You may be called in to discuss a problem or asked to prepare a
presentation to a group of business leaders. How you articulate and put your point across during a group discussion will be significantly different from how you make a presentation. A presentation requires a different skill set to be successful. Similarly, when working with team members you will need to have a mindset and manner of communication that will bring out the best in the team. Since the communication requirements are determined by the different roles that you play, you must be able to adapt your style of communication as the situation demands. In this unit, we will deal with the process of formal communication as a tool for enhancing individual growth and success and an instrument of organizational success.

When we speak of communication, we normally think about the day- to-day talks and discussions we all indulge in. But that is not precisely communication. Although communication seems to be simple, it is not so. It is not just about blabbering or talking nonsensically. Communication can be defined as a process of translating any complex thought process into simple and meaningful utterances through an appropriate channel. Therefore, communication is a two-way interaction where both the parties cooperate and coordinate with each other in striking a meaningful conversation. Communication can take place both at the individual and organizational levels. When two or more people communicate face-to-face or via the telephone or by means of any other technology (such as internet chat tools), it is a comparatively simple process. However, when a group of individuals interact with one another or with an organization, the communication process becomes much more complex and requires certain skills to generate it smoothly.
For any kind of organizational growth, effective communication skills are a must because an open and healthy communicative ambience always provides ideal conditions for generating constructive feedback. Feedback always determines the efficacy of any communication process and ensures its successful completion.

The word “communication” has been derived from the Latin word “communis”, meaning common. A
person with whom we wish to share an idea will understand what we speak and write only when we
communicate it in a way that will be understood by the other person. An idea in itself cannot be understood, unless it is made relevant by our ability to express it clearly in a concrete manner. And this is not always easy to do. It has to be coded either in words or symbols and signs.