Model of Good Communication

There are many communication models out there and they all are basically the same.  The primary reason for the models is to show a diagram of what good effect communication should be and the individual steps to be considered.

Here is one example of a Good Communication Model:

Let's start at the first step:

The Encoder - the encoder is the one that begins the communication process, for the purpose of this illustration we will use the example of Oral/Verbal Face to Face communication.  ******But please note, this same model works for Oral/Verbal, Non Verbal, and Written communication.

The Encoder begins by sending out a message to a Decoder (the person the Encoder wants to receive the message). 

The Decoder then receives the message and must Interpret the message.  Interpreting may seem a silly thing to require but it is an absolute - if the Decoder does NOT understand what has been said, then although the message has been received it is USELESS and NOT effective communication!

Once Interpreted, the Decoder/Receiver must then Encode a response to the message.  This may be a Verbal or Non Verbal response, i.e. an oral response or a nod of the head.  The original Encoder then must Interpret the message/response by Decoding it.

If the message is Encoded properly, received by the Decoder - Interpreted properly, a response is Encoded and sent BACK to the original Encoder - Decoded and Interpreted properly THEN and only THEN do we have Good Communication!

What can go wrong?  How many fish are in the sea? Yes about that many things can go wrong!

The Encoder must use a language and words that the Decoder can understand.  Sounds simple, but think - have you ever had a visit to the doctor and sat there wondering just what it was he was telling you?  They have a habit of using what I call "$69 words"!  most of which I could not pronounce myself much less spell!

A part of the diagram that we did not discuss earlier is the Interface - this simply is the Channel used for the message (we are using Face to Face for this example) but it should also include Noise!  In a Face to Face we must consider distance between communicators, sounds in the room (this includes others talking), and volume of speech.  Everyone of us has had someone say something to us that we did not understand because of the Volume of voice that they used.

The Decoder has to send back a message to signal that they have understood the message.  Interface/Noise is again a consideration.  If the Decoder "nods" a response and the Encoder cannot see their head/face they are not going to know that the message has been received!  If their response is Verbal but not heard - again it is not going to be received.

This may seem like a lot of things to remember about Good Communications but really it takes only a few minutes to memorize the steps and a little conscious effort to think through them while communicating with others.  In no time you will be "doing the steps" without having to think them through and you will be amazed at how your communications skills have improved!