It Is Really Very Simple

Communicating effectively is really very simple. So, why do so many people do it so poorly?

There are too many reason to document here, but it will be useful to offer some insight to why communication is ineffective for individuals and organizations.

In raw form, communication is simply the act of defining a message, conveying the message, receiving the message, and offering feedback. Yes, there are many factors that contribute to each of these core elements, but if you can't master these, what's the point of trying to address the rest.

Every time we communicate, we are using a defined process, whether we realize it or not. The communication process outlined in the following image helps show the number of influences and factors that contribute to effective communication.

To understand why communication is ineffective requires that we evaluate how a message was created, conveyed, and received.  Messages are typically ineffective when the sender ignores influences, formats, the audience, and does not allow feedback. As illustrated above, communication is a process where all the parts of the process have an interrelated relationship.

Even the most simple and routine messages follow the communication process. As the communicator, you are expected to take all communication process components into consideration. If you do, communication becomes easy and will be effective.