Effective Communications

Identify how you can use the communications process to ensure effective communications.

            Awareness of the various parts of communication increases effectiveness as a communicator (Roebuck, 2010).  Listening is the most important part of being a good communicator (Roebuck, 2010).  My son’s karate teacher always tells the children that we have two ears and only one mouth so that we should listen twice as much as we speak (personal conversation).  The sender of a message has a responsibility to be clear and specific in their message, as well as use appropriate tone and body language so that the receiver understand not only the words, but the intent and attitude (Roebuck, 2010).  The receiver must be careful to avoid distraction from external and internal noise that may distort the intended message (Roebuck, 2010).  Inferences are something an effective communicator needs to be careful to avoid as well, stick to the actual meaning, not the inferred meaning when interpreting communications (Roebuck, 2010).

What technologies are currently used to enhance the effectiveness of communications today?

            E-mail is the primary communication method for most businesses today (Roebuck, 2010).  E-mail is so important that most business would not be able to function for more than a week without it, some would not even last a day (Roebuck, 2010).  Cell phones are another important tool for business communications and blur the lines between work life balance because employees can be reached at any time of the day, especially when employers pay the bill (Roebuck, 2010).  Other tools include PDA’s, smartphones, instant messangers, text messaging, pagers, facsimile, audio- and video conferencing, telecommuting, Internet, and Intranet.  Facsimile has adapted to advancing technologies and can be used with e-mail and online platforms to remain useful (Roebuck, 2010).

What causes miscommunications?

            Miscommunications are caused by word-meaning confusion, different perceptions, external and internal noise, and receivers not listening (Roebuck, 2010).  External noise is noise in the surrounding environment; internal noise is caused by internal factors such as a closed mind, not liking the sender, disinterest, or thinking about something other than listening to the message (Roebuck, 2010).  In my personal life I see this most often in communication with my children (all boys), and my husband.  We have an ongoing “joke” that they only hear every third word.

Roebuck, D. (2010). Improving Business Communication Skills for Ashford University (4^th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.