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In management, I have found that effective communication can only happen when there is an open exchange of ideas, opinions and allowing individuals to have a different point of view. It is important for the leaders in any organization to create an environment where this can occur. The importance of effective communication cannot be underestimated. There are a lot of situations where the real message you are trying to get across is lost and the message that is heard if often quite different from what it was intended to be. Your choice of words has a significant impact on how the message is perceived by others.

There are many barriers to getting your message across. How a message is perceived can be affected by different things. The past experience of the individual you are trying to get a message across to can affect the meaning of the message, In business it can be affected by the organizational structure. For example, a communication from an administrator may be perceived very differently by a subordinate individual or another peer.

When you think of communication, it is somewhat like an orchestra. Each member of the orchestra is playing off each other and together they get the end result of putting a music piece together. The orchestra conductor has reached all the musicians involved and met the goal of making music together.

The acronym KISS is a term that is often used in teaching effective communication skills:

" Keep It Slow and Simple."

Some simple skills to use to communicate effectively.

1. Always speak clearly and slowly. You need to annunciate words and speak slowly so your words are not running together.

2. Learn to listen patiently and actively. Let the person who is speaking finish their message, it is rude and improper to interrupt someone in the middle of a communication.

3. Always give feedback. You need to let the individual aware that you understand or do not understand what they are saying. You can ask them to repeat what you did not understand or ask for some further explanation to clarity their message.

4. When communicating use simple words and sentences. It is not the time to try to impress someone with a vocabulary that no one is clearly getting what you are saying. Remember you are trying to get your message across clearly and effectively, this is not the time to using large words not in most individuals vocabulary.

5. Always have a sense of humor. It will get the attention of the individuals you are trying to communicate with, in contrast to talking in a mundane monotone tone. You want to spark interest and you want your audience whether it be one individual or group of individuals to listen.

6. Be careful of the non verbal communication because your message can be lost. How you say a message can affect the message. For example, saying Hello with a frown on your face versus saying hello with a smile sends a totally different message. Remember to make good eye contact and watch your tone of voice, this influences how effective your communication will be.

The basis of communication is the giving and receiving of information. Your attitude and appearance play an important role in the communication process. Good communication skills can be learned and are necessary to get your message across. Failing to get your communication skills in order will cause you to be ineffective and your message will be lost.

Learn more about this author, D. P. Noe.
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