The 7 Cs of Communication
Why is communication important in the workplace?
The seven C’s of communication apply to all exchange formats, but how you approach each depends on whether you prefer verbal, written, visual, or another type of exchange. Whatever your line of work, communicating with others is necessary to work on projects, close sales, or set up outside services. Understanding the various facets of communication can help you maintain an effective and efficient workplace.
The seven C’s of communication
The seven C’s of communication are a checklist that helps people make sure they are communicating effectively and that their message is being understood. The aspects of communication are:
1. Concise
Statements that are focused and clear frequently have more of an effect on listeners. Brief, well-delivered messages are also more memorable. The more information provided, the harder it may be for listeners to follow and remember, especially if the topic is unfamiliar to them. Keep the following in mind when delivering concise communication:
Being succinct makes sure that the essential points are covered and highlighted, which clarifies your main points.
2. Complete
You might run into situations where you need to talk about challenging material or jargon. This frequently occurs in relation to business, legal, and educational issues. Context is equally crucial, especially when leaving it out could affect how the audience interprets the information.
Communicating your message in a clear, complete manner ensures that your audience will understand it as you intended. It is preferable to be thorough rather than concise when there is a chance of misunderstanding.
If you’re unsure whether to include a piece of information, think about how not knowing that information would affect you or how it would alter how you perceive the situation. Another option is to enlist a volunteer to listen to your speech, and then after you finish, quiz them on it. Your presentation is incomplete if you discover that they lack accurate information or are not sufficiently aware of important details.
3. Coherent
Coherence often comes down to structure. Your message will be simpler to understand and remember if it is structured so that each idea neatly transitions into the next. The typical approach to essays, speeches, and other communications is to logically expand on your opening claims to a concluding summary.
Coherence is more than just avoiding run-on sentences. Additionally, make an effort to comprehend your audience and modify your message accordingly. For instance, you might use a limited vocabulary when speaking to entry-level employees, but you could use more complex technical terms when giving a presentation in an academic setting.
When possible, think about modifying your speech and word choice to the audience’s experiences and way of life. For instance, terms related to fishing and sailing might be appropriate when addressing a coastal audience. Details that reflect the backgrounds and lifestyles of the audience may be more effective with audiences in different climates, conditions, age groups, and environments.
4. Clear
Your writing and speaking must be free of superfluous or unclear terminology, phrasing, and vocabulary. Some ways to improve clarity include: .
Your delivery should be confident, at ease, and conducive to keeping listeners’ attention.
5. Courteous
Consideration is sometimes referred to as “Courtesy,” but it goes beyond simple politeness. Maintain eye contact with your audience and use a conversational tone whenever you address them. Some other considerations for courteous communication include: .
Your objective is to relate to your audience on a personal level while still projecting authority on the topic you are discussing. You should be able to hold someone’s attention without making a demand, either through sheer force of personality or by inspiring intense interest in the subject. Your audience will be eager to hear what you have to say about your topic if they sense that you are genuinely interested in it.
When appropriate, use humor, levity, and relatable stories to draw in your audience. Keep your anecdotes pertinent to your topic and use them to support your points rather than just for fun or to lighten the mood. Consider delivering your message calmly and measuredly, like a newscaster on television, in situations where humor is not desired.
6. Concrete
The terms “authoritative” and “authoritarian” are two distinct but related terms. When making a call to action, an authoritative speaker commands the audience’s attention; an authoritarian requires the audience to follow strict instructions. This specificity of language is essential to effective, professional communications.
Replace all adjectives and adverbs with more specific words. For example, “sprint” is more concrete than “quickly run. “The more concise and direct your vocabulary and word choice, the more impactful your delivery.” Maintaining a current thesaurus can help you make better word choices.
7. Correct
Make sure your writing is factually correct and grammatically correct to ensure that your listener understands you. Some other points to consider include: .
When in doubt, consult a dictionary or thesaurus. When you know what you want to say but do not have the appropriate words, reverse dictionaries can be helpful. There are dictionaries for particular periods, industries, subject areas, and ideas. Additionally, there are free online resources for grammar and spelling correction.
FAQ
What does CS mean in communication?
The seven Cs of effective communication state that it must be clear, succinct, concrete, accurate, coherent, complete, and courteous.
How many C’s are in communication?
Both written and verbal communication must adhere to the seven C’s of effective communication. Completeness – The communication must be complete.
