Meaning of Communication
Communication is a process through which information and meaning are exchanged between people via a common system of signs, symbols, and behavior. When communication takes place it normally happens in any of the three ways; visual, verbal or non-verbal. Some people take communication for granted yet it plays a major role in our interaction and exchange of ideas.
Communicators always exchange meanings implying that people involved are either giving or receiving information.
Verbal communication is the most common of all the forms of communication and uses the spoken word either remotely or face-to-face.
Non-verbal communication provides insight into the speaker’s word choice. Often communicated through hand gestures, facial expression and appearance, the cues convey additional information about the speaker. Visual communication, on the other hand, includes signs, drawings, and maps as well as graphic and color designs. Their role is to reinforce verbal communication. Visual communication conveys the message more clearly.
Importance of Communication in Life
- Communication facilitates the spread of ideas, information, meaning, and knowledge among different people.
- It forms the basis of human relationships. Initially, people are strangers but after communicating they form relationships.
- Communication enables people to express their feelings and ideas thus helping people understand others’ thoughts.
- By communicating important values to junior members of the society, elders are able to improve the lives of young people.
- Communication creates mutual understanding between different members of society leading to harmony.
- It is essential for planning and decision making; it enables management secure information for decision making.
- Communication serves as a lubricant and hence fosters smooth operations and efficiency of different aspects of human life.
- It facilitates participation by involving everyone in the search solutions and decision making.
- Communication helps people adopt the ideas of others. Good communicators know how to persuade others to adopt their ideas.
- Exchange of information facilitates coordination and thus creating unity of action which is crucial in pursuit of common objectives.
- Communication is integral to human existence. Without communication, human life can be boring and meaningless.
- It gives people in authority a means of providing direction to junior members for effective operation.
- It brings people together. Irrespective of distance, when two people communicate they feel a special bond.
- Communication enables people to deal with different problems, difficulties, and worries that life brings their way.
- Exchanging thoughts with others enables you to understand other individuals. Failing to communicate effectively can cause many issues.
- Communication allows you to appeal to different people. By communicating differently in various settings you can appeal to all people.
- Exchanging information reduce conflicts. Unresolved disagreements can strain and eventually ruin relationships.
- It provides a means of assessing one’s performance. Good communicators have better chances of success.
- Communication expands human capacity; one person can assign duties to others thus increasing their output.
- It enables you to get everything you want out of life. Assertiveness (i.e., knowing what you want and asking for it) help people get what they want.
Conclusion
Communication not only facilitates the exchange of ideas and information between people but also facilitates deeper connections between people. It forms a basis for relationships and assessment of people. Through communication, people begin to trust and relate with each other. Despite all these benefits some people fail to communicate effectively leaving room for
misinterpretations and misunderstandings. Efforts should be made to ensure the message being conveyed is received.
By: Joni Kim
EdgeArticles 