Communication

Communication is the process is sharing information among two of more individuals. Traditionally communication has usually been associated with speech or language. There are also non-verbal forms of communication such as body language or even pheromones.

Unique to humans is long distance communication such as writing letters, or, in more recent times, email, telephones, or chat rooms.

On a less personal note, movies, television shows, or newspapers can all give information on values or how to think that is a form of communication to the recipient.

Communication skills

According to Genevieve Northup, MBA, SHRM-CP, HCI-SPTD, four main types of communication are: verbal skills, nonverbal skills, written and visual.

See also: Communication skills and Writing

According to Genevieve Northup, MBA, SHRM-CP, HCI-SPTD, four main types of communication are:

• Verbal: Communicating by way of a spoken language
• Nonverbal: Communicating through body language, facial expressions and tone
• Written: Communicating with written language, symbols and numbers. See: Writing
• Visual: Communication by way of photography, art, drawings, sketches, charts and graphs

Key communication skills

In addition, Genevieve Northup lists these top 10 communication skills:

1. Active listening

2. Using the right communication method (pros and cons to using emails, letters, phone calls, in-person meetings or instant messages)

3. Friendliness. See also: Agreeableness

4. Confidence

5. Sharing feedback (For example, feedback such as: sharing specific examples related to the issue; consequences of the issue; asking relevant/insightful questions to formulate solutions to the various issues; and give/accept constructive feedback)

6. Volume and tone

7. Empathy

8. Respect

9. Nonverbal cues

10. Responsiveness (timely responses)

Conversational skills

Dale Carnegie authored the best-selling book How to Win Friends and Influence People. The book recommended showing a genuine interest in other people.

See also: Conversational skills

Conversational skills involve keeping a conversation going and it is something of an art - which many people seem to lack.

Key principles of conversational skills

Key principles of conversation skills include:

1. Conversation is a two-way street

2. Be friendly and polite (Build rapport, be nice, avoid contentious conversations on first acquaintance)

3. Respond to what the other person or persons are saying. See: Listening skills

4. Use signaling to help the other person such as open-ended and close-ended questions

5. Create emotional connections (Relationship building, empathy, sharing appropriate information, etc.)

6. Be interested and you will be interesting

Books

• The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication: Apply Them and Make the Most of Your Message by John Maxwell, Maxwell Leadership (March 28, 2023)
• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler, McGraw Hill; 3rd edition (November 23, 2021)
• Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen, Penguin Books; Anniversary,Updated edition (November 2, 2010)
• How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders by Dale Carnegie, ‎Simon & Schuster; Updated edition (May 17, 2022)

See also

• Cellular phones
• Radio: Radio communication technologies and Amateur radio