What do you call the process of face-to-face exchange of thoughts ideas feelings and emotions between two or more people?

Communication is the exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings between two or more people. We communicate verbally or non-verbally on a daily basis with our peers, coworkers and our family members. There are four different communication styles we use in our personal and professional lives: the private, dominant, sociable and open style. Although a person can have characteristics for all four styles, some people have two main styles they fall back on when dealing with certain situations at work or in their personal lives. A fundamental tool in communication is listening, its the key to understanding those around you. When we listen we not only listen to the verbal message but also the non-verbal message. According to the text, the ability to listen effectively is not a natural born trait, its something that must be learned. Effective listening in the workplace is a skill that we as managers, customers,supervisors or employees are always working to improve. In this paper we will examine concepts related to communication such as listening, conflict resolution and communication apprehension and how they influence our everyday communication with those around us. After taking the short form Styles Survey my two central styles were open styles when things are going smoothly and dominant styles when under stress. According to the text, dominant style communicators are believed to flourish in situations were they can properly demonstrate their knowledge and expertise. Dominant style communicators are also believed to be individuals who can command authority, can be depended upon to get the job done and train a group of individuals. However, in most of these characteristics there appears to be a "but". Even though dominant st... ... middle of paper ... ...e.

Since communication is the exchange of ideas, thought and feeling sometimes misunderstandings generally arise. In order to improve our communication skills the key is to identify what causes these misunderstandings. My awareness of these concepts will have more of a major influence in my professional life. For example listening is a skill i use every minute of the day while at work. Listening to my employees or listening to the complaints of our customers. Therefore now i can become a better effective listener so i can rip some of the benefits that come with it. Not only can I be a better manager for it, I can also develop better relationships with my employees. Also while listening to my employees I'm more aware of the nonacceptance responses. Therefore i can avoid those while speaking to the employees so they don't feel as if no one supports or listens.

1. Career Development
2. 4 Types of Communication (With Examples)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published 20 January 2020

Communication skills are vital to a healthy, efficient workplace. Often categorised as a “soft skill” or interpersonal skill, communication is the act of sharing information from one person to another person or group of people. There are many different ways to communicate, each of which play an important role in sharing information.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the different types of communication and how to strengthen your skills in each.

Importance of communication

We use communication every day in nearly every environment. Whether you give a slight head nod in agreement, or present information to a large group, communication is vital when building relationships, sharing ideas, delegating responsibilities, managing a team and much more.

Learning and developing good communication skills can help you succeed in your career, make you a competitive job candidate, and build your network. While it takes time and practise, communication and interpersonal skills are able to be increased and refined over time.

There are four main types of communication we use on a daily basis: Verbal, non-verbal, written and visual. Let’s take a look at each of these types of communication, why they are important and how you can improve them for success in your career.

Types of communication

There are several ways we share information with one another. For example, you might use verbal communication when sharing a presentation with a group. You might use written communication when applying for a job or sending an email.

There are four main categories or communication styles including verbal, non-verbal, written and visual:

1. Verbal

Verbal communication is the use of language to transfer information through speaking or sign language. It is one of the most common types, often used during presentations, video conferences and phone calls, meetings and one-on-one conversations. Verbal communication is important because it is efficient. It can be helpful to support verbal communication with both non-verbal and written communication.

Here are a few steps you can take to develop your verbal communication skills:

• Use a strong, confident speaking voice. Especially when presenting information to a few or a group of people, be sure to use a strong voice so that everyone can easily hear you. Be confident when speaking so that your ideas are clear and easy for others to understand.

• Use active listening. The other side of using verbal communication is intently listening to and hearing others. Active listening skills are key when conducting a meeting, presentation or even when participating in a one-on-one conversation. Doing so will help you grow as a communicator.

• Avoid filler words. It can be tempting, especially during a presentation, to use filler words such as “um,” “like,” “so” or “yeah.” While it might feel natural after completing a sentence or pausing to collect your thoughts, it can also be distracting for your audience. Try presenting to a trusted friend or colleague who can call attention to the times you use filler words. Try to replace them by taking a breath when you are tempted to use them.

2. Non-verbal

Non-verbal communication is the use of body language, gestures and facial expressions to convey information to others. It can be used both intentionally and unintentionally. For example, you might smile unintentionally when you hear a pleasing or enjoyable idea or piece of information. Non-verbal communication is helpful when trying to understand others’ thoughts and feelings.

If they are displaying “closed” body language such as crossed arms or legs, or hunched shoulders, they might be feeling anxious, angry or nervous. If they are displaying “open” body language with both feet on the floor and arms by their side or on the table, they are likely feeling positive and open to information.

Here are a few steps you can take to develop your non-verbal communication skills:

• Notice how your emotions feel physically. Throughout the day, as you experience a range of emotions (anything from energised, bored, happy or frustrated), try to identify where you feel that emotion within your body. For example, if you’re feeling anxious, you might notice that your stomach feels tight. Developing self-awareness around how your emotions affect your body can give you greater mastery over your external presentation.

• Be intentional about your non-verbal communications. Make an effort to display positive body language when you feel alert, open and positive about your surroundings. You can also use body language to support your verbal communication if you feel confused or anxious about information, like using a furrowed brow. Use body language alongside verbal communication such as asking follow up questions or pulling the presenter aside to give feedback.

• Mimic non-verbal communications you find effective. If you find certain facial expressions or body language beneficial to a certain setting, use it as a guide when improving your own non-verbal communications. For example, if you see that when someone nods their head it communicates approval and positive feedback efficiently, use it in your next meeting when you have the same feelings.

3. Written

Written communication is the act of writing, typing or printing symbols like letters and numbers to convey information. It is helpful because it provides a record of information for reference. Writing is commonly used to share information through books, pamphlets, blogs, letters, memos and more. Emails and chats are a common form of written communication in the workplace.

Here are a few steps you can take to develop your written communication skills:

• Strive for simplicity. Written communications should be as simple and clear as possible. While it might be helpful to include a lot of detail in instructional communications, for example, you should look for areas where you can write as clearly as possible for your audience to understand.

• Don’t rely on tone. Because you do not have the nuance of verbal and non-verbal communications, be careful when you are trying to communicate a certain tone when writing. For example, attempting to communicate a joke, sarcasm or excitement might be translated differently depending on the audience. Instead, keep your writing as simple and plain as possible and follow up with verbal communications where you can add more personality.

• Take time to review your written communications. Setting time aside to re-read your emails, letters or memos can help you identify mistakes or opportunities to say something differently. For important communications or those that will be sent to a large number of people, it might be helpful to have a trusted colleague review it as well.

• Keep a file of writing you find effective or enjoyable. If you receive a certain pamphlet, email or memo that you find particularly helpful or interesting, save it for reference when writing your own communications.

4. Visual

Visual communication is the act of using photographs, art, drawings, sketches, charts and graphs to convey information. Visuals are often used as an aid during presentations to provide helpful context alongside written and/or verbal communication. Because people have different learning styles, visual communication might be more helpful for some to consume ideas and information.

Here are a few steps you can take to develop your visual communication skills:

• Ask others before including visuals. If you are considering sharing a visual aid in your presentation or email, consider asking others for feedback. Adding visuals can sometimes make concepts confusing or muddled. Getting a third-party perspective can help you decide whether the visual adds value to your communications.

• Consider your audience. Be sure to include visuals that are easily understood by your audience. For example, if you are displaying a chart with unfamiliar data, be sure to explain what is happening in the visual and how it relates to what you are saying. You should never use sensitive, offensive, violent or graphic visuals in any form.

To make improvements to your communication skills, set personal goals to work through the things you want to accomplish step by step. It might be helpful to consult with trusted colleagues, managers or mentors to identify which areas would be best to focus on first.