Answer to Question #171220 in English for Sekyere Daniel

Question

Explain four characteristics of effective communication and how does it become effective 

Answer 1

Completeness

Effective communications are complete, that is the receiver gets all the information he needs to process the message and take action. A complete message reduces the need for follow-up questions and smoothens the communication process.

Courtesy

Courtesy and consideration complement each other in effective communications. Courtesy means respecting the receiver’s culture, values and beliefs for instance, crafting a message that is genuinely polite and unbiased.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about keeping your message to a point. This is more about the content of your message rather than its length. Even a short memo can include irrelevant or redundant information. Conciseness helps the receiver focus on what’s important, speeds up the processing of information and caters for improved understanding.

Concreteness

A concrete message is specific, tangible, vivid. It’s supported by facts and figures for enhanced credibility. It helps your audience gain an overview of the broader picture. Concreteness mitigates the risk of misunderstanding, fosters trust and encourages constructive criticism.

Consideration

Effective communication takes into account the receiver’s background and points of view. If your message hits a nerve or sounds as disrespectful, the emotional reaction of the receiver might affect the perception of your message.