Introduction to communication skills

1.1 Introduction

The term 'communication' originates from the Latin word communicare, which

Mean’s to share or impart. When used as per its function, it means a common ground of

understanding. Communication is the process of exchanging of facts, ideas and opinions and a means that individuals or organisations use for sharing meaning and understanding with one another. In other words, it is the transmission and interaction of facts, ideas, opinions,feelings or attitudes. Communication is an interdisciplinary concept as theoretically it is approached from various disciplines such as mathematics, accounting, psychology, ecology,linguistics, systems analysis, etymology, cybernetics, auditing etc. Communication enables us to do important things: to grow, to learn, to be aware of ourselves and to adjust to our environment.

1.2 Meaning and definition of communication

Communication is a process, which involves organizing, selecting and transmitting

symbols in an appropriate way to ensure the listener perceives and recreates in his own

mind the intended meaning of the communicator. Communication involves the initiation of

meaning in the listener, the transmission of information and thousands of probable stimuli.

Human beings have a compulsive urge to communicate with each other. Mutual understanding is not only based on communication but also is the core of human relations.

There can be no mutual understanding without communication; mutual understanding is the

core of human relations. Man is a communicating animal; he alone has the power to express in words. Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste are the modes of exchange of messages. The story of man's progress is the story of his progress in communication skills. The degree to which a civilization or culture progresses is reflected in the state of its communication process.

Communication is a two-fold process between two parties- the sender and the

receiver. It involves an exchange and progression of thoughts, ideas, knowledge and

information towards a mutually accepted goal or direction. Here are some definitions by

experts:

Behind Brown: Communication is the transmission and interchange of facts,

ideas, feelings or course of action.

Alien Louis A.: Communication is the sum of all the things one person does

when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding.

Ordway Tead: Communicating is a composite of information given and

received, of a learning experience in which certain attitudes, knowledge and skills change, carving with them alterations of behavior , of listening effort by all involved, of a sympathetic fresh examination of issues by the communicator himself, of a

sensitive interacting points of view, leading to a higher level of shared understanding and common intention.

Theo Haiemann: Communication is the process of passing information and

understanding from one person to another. It is the process of

imparting ideas and making oneself understood by others.

Some interesting comments about communication:

Davis: "Process of passing information and understanding from one person to

another... The only way that management can be achieved in an organisation is through the

process of communication".

Chester Barnard: In exhaustive theory of organisation, communication would occupy

a central place because the structure, extensiveness and scope of organisations are almost

entirely determined by communication techniques.

Managerial Skill