ZIMSEC O Level Business Studies Notes: Leadership: The communication process
- Communication is the exchange of information, ideas, opinions and feelings
- The process of communication and it’s stages can be shown on a diagram known as the communication model
- The communication process involves encoding of information by the sender e.g. turning ideas into spoken words,
- the encoded message is then transmitted through a medium/channel such as the air, phone etc
- When the message reaches the receiver it is then decoded back into ideas
- The receiver then encodes his/her feedback back to the sender
- Feedback is when the receiver sends back information back to the sender concerning the sender’s message
- For example a manager verbally allocates a task to a subordinate
- When the subordinate completes the task they inform the manager that is feedback
- Or the subordinate seeks clarification from the manager that is feedback
- Feedback ensures that the right message has been received
Classification of communication
- Communication can be classified in three ways:
- Media
- Direction
- Degree of formality
Media
- Refers to the means of communication.
- It is the plural of medium
- There are three forms of communication:
NB Click on each form of communication to learn more about it, its advantages and disadvantages
Direction
- Refers to the direction in which the message is taking which could be:
- Another aspect could whether communication is:
- One way communication
- Two way communication
Degree of formality
- Communication can be viewed as formal or informal
- Formal communication is planned, arranged, official and approved
- Formal communication takes place within the confines of the organisational structure
- Formal communication can be visual (graphs about the organisation’s financial performance), written(reports about the organisation’s plans) or spoken ( a superior reprimanding a subordinate)
- Informal communication is also known as the Grape Vine.
NB Click on the Grape Vine to know more about it.
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