Understanding Communication

Understanding Communication

In the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, the people of the world come together to build a
tower that would reach heaven. In a single stroke, their efforts came to naught because
they were besieged by befuddled communication, resulting in breakdown of coordination.
Intended message is frequently mis-communicated, misunderstood, mis-quoted or even
missed altogether because of ineffective interpersonal communication skills.
The ability to effectively communicate with other people is an important skill. Through
communication, people reach some understanding of each other, learn to like each other,
influence one another, build trust, and learn more about themselves and how people
perceive them. People who communicate effectively know how to interact with others flexibly,
skillfully, and responsibly, but without sacrificing their own needs and integrity.
Communication is a significant part of a manager’s job. In today’s team-oriented workplace,
the development of good interpersonal communication skills is an important key to success.
To build the competence and commitment of employees, a manager has to communicate
effectively. Through effective communication, a manager can mobilize the employees
behind an organization’s vision and inspire a conscious and concerted team effort to attain
the vision. The pay-off of effective communication are:

• A more professional image
• Improved self-confidence
• Improved relationships
• Less stress
• Greater acceptance by others

Communication is Transactional
Each person is both sending and receiving simultaneously.
Parties communicating have an impact on each other

Communication is a Process
Changes in events and relationships are part of a continuous flow. Every
communication experience is the result of the accumulation of experiences
preceding the present one. The new experience affects the future ones.

Communication is Sharing Meaning with Others
A rubber in England is an Erasure but it is a condom in America