Effective communication: what it is and how to practice it

What is effective communication

Effective communication is usually defined as that which, in all its elements (sender, receiver, message, channel, etc.), responds to a communication that does not lead to contradictory or incomplete interpretations. In other words, effective communication is that in which the message the sender transmits reaches the receiver in perfect condition and truly responding to what the sender intends to convey with its broadcast. 

The importance of effective communication

La importancia de la comunicación eficaz radica en el hecho de que la comunicación es una parte fundamental de todos los aspectos de la vida, tanto personal como profesional. A necessary and indispensable tool in any situation, including the working environments. In fact, in those team-based workspaces, plays an even more important role, since the existence or absence of effective communication will determine whether all tasks and the project's own organisation are aligned with each other and will allow the project to progress correctly. 

In fact, ineffective communication in the workplace often leads to mishaps and wasteful consumption of resources. For example, if a project manager's communication with their subordinates is not effective, this can lead to time and effort being spent on a task that will not be useful for the project. Consequently, once completed, its lack of utility will be discovered, and the situation will be the same as at the beginning of the initial communication. All this due to the lack of effective communication between the sender and the receiver. 

Keys to practising effective communication

There are many elements that help foster effective communication and that should be taken into account by both the sender and the receiver of the message. Some of the most common due to their importance and effect on communication are the following: 

• Addressing the issues individuallyWhen sending a message and aiming for effective communication, it is crucial to avoid addressing multiple issues at the same time, as this can confuse the recipient or lead to misinterpretation of the information transmitted. Instead, each topic should be divided into a specific message and addressed individually and in an organised manner. 
• Be specificOr, what amounts to the same thing, avoid generalisations. It is important to be concrete and specific in the message you want to convey. In this regard, it is essential to choose words correctly and the way in which the idea you want to convey is expressed. In this way, ambiguity or diverse interpretations are avoided, which will help communication to be effective and the transmission of information to be efficient. 
• Use understandable (non-literary) language.Language can be used in many ways, and depending on the elements you wish to emphasise, it is important to use it in one way or another. When ensuring effective communication, it is important to foster a use of language that is comprehensible and easy to understand. In this regard, it is preferable for the message to be less aesthetic if, thanks to this, the transmission of information will be more effective. Literary or pompous language should be avoided, and should be reserved for texts or speeches whose purpose is to achieve aesthetic value and not functional value. 
• Be briefUsing the right words, the necessary information can be conveyed without the need for long texts or speeches, which also makes it easier for the recipient to understand. 
• Ask rather than assumeIf, after receiving the message from the sender, the receiver still doesn't fully understand something that has been said, it is essential to ask questions about any doubts and not make assumptions. What is assumed has not been said, but is an interpretation of what was said. Therefore, it can lead to ambiguities and, consequently, to ineffective communication. If what you want to ensure is effective communication between sender and receiver, the receiver should also do everything in their power to ensure that said communication is correct.