11 Interpersonal communication
Section Information
Outcome/Competency: Demonstrate interpersonal communication
Time to complete this section: 6.5 hours
Rationale:
Why is it important for you to learn this skill?
Interpersonal skills are incredibly valuable to employers – they underpin people’s ability to work together and for the business to function well. Interpersonal skills also help avoid mistakes and ensure everyone has the information they need to do their job safety and correctly.
Objectives
To be competent in this area, the individual must be able to:
Understand the basics of communication
Communicate with co-workers, customers, and external organizations in a clear, effective, and concise manner
Plan and deliver short, organized spoken messages and oral reports tailored to a specific audience and purpose
Learning Goals
Understand the basics of communication
Demonstrate effective communication skills
Plan and deliver short, organized spoken messages and oral reports tailored to specific audiences and purpose
Introduction:
This module addresses elements, forms, and modes of communication. It also provides examples of barriers to communication and strategies for overcoming them, and strategies for simplifying technical information for a non-technical audience. You will have opportunities to practice these skills through several communication games, as well as a short presentation.
Objective One
Understand the basics of communication
Topic 1: Communication (1h)
Definition: Communication is the process of transmitting information from one person to another. It is the act of sharing of ideas, facts, opinions, thoughts, messages or emotions to other people, in and out the organisation, with the use of the channel to create mutual understanding and confidence.
It is not tied to words, i.e. whether an individual speaks or not, the message is automatically conveyed to the other party. Besides words, communication can take place through symbols, letters, actions, expressions, etc.
Elements of Communication
Communication is a two-way process, wherein interchange of message connects the sender and receiver, towards an agreed direction, consisting of seven elements:
- Sender: Otherwise known as a source, it is the person who has something to pass on, to another individual.
- Encoding: The sender of the message, selects appropriate words or non-verbal techniques to convert the idea into the message, which is called as encoding.
- Message: Message implies something that the sender wants to communicate to the receiver. Without a message, no communication is possible.
- Medium: Medium alludes to the channel or mode, through which message is communicated to the receiver, i.e. it can be sent by way of electronic word processing system, graphic, symbol, etc.
- Receiver: The one to whom the message is directed, is called receiver. He/she notices and conveys some meaning to the message.
- Decoding: The act of interpreting message by the receiver, is termed as