COMMUNICATION

Communication is the process by which information is transmitted and understood between two or more people. Or communication is the transfer and understanding of a message between two or more people.

Communication has two components: the sharing of information and the reaching of a common understanding. (This does not mean agreement, rather an understanding of the message). If people either do not receive the information or understand the meaning, then communication has not taken place.

Communication is critical for organizational effectiveness. If people lack needed information because it has not been shared, they cannot perform their jobs well. They spend more than 75% of their effective time in communicating. It is communication which gives life to organizational structure. It is a thread that holds all the units, sub units, processes, systems, culture together. If communication stops, the organization will cease to exist.

Poor communication or ineffective communication is a source of frustration, interpersonal conflict and stress. It plays an important role in strengthening relationship between friends, relatives and family members since we spend nearly seventy percent of our time interacting with them by way of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Poor communication leads to unpleasant situations and breaking up of relationships.