Communication is a process
zfly's communication process
1948, a milestone for mankind: Shannon, the mathematician, and Weaver, the scientist, forged a groundbreaking work – “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” .
A gem in information technology known today as the “Shannon-Weaver model”. At last it was possible to convey the complex world of communication and thus information development in a simplified way.
But what is it all about? Here is the essence: A sender wants to convey a message to a receiver.
We form the message in our thoughts, which we then convey verbally or non-verbally, visually in writing or paraverbally. But wait, there’s a noise!
Shannon and Weaver have unraveled this complicated dance between information and their travels through space and time.
Sender, receiver and message in communication
The sender is the point of origin of the message. He is the person or source who sends the message or provides the information. The sender chooses the words, gestures, images or signals to convey the message. His aim is to communicate his thoughts, ideas or information clearly and comprehensibly.
The recipient is the person or group that receives the message. It is the turning point in the communication process that interprets and understands the sender’s message. The recipient decodes the message based on their own experiences, values and perspectives, which leads to an individual interpretation.
The message is the content or information that the sender wants to convey to the recipient. It can be verbal (words, language) or non-verbal (gestures, facial expressions, images). The message can contain facts, opinions, emotions or instructions and is the heart of the communication that is transmitted by the sender and interpreted by the receiver.
Communication and its challenges
In the our communication process, there are a variety of disturbances or noise that can occur. After all, no two people have had exactly the same experience. That’s why it’s important to communicate in a multi-faceted way.
If this does not happen, a lot of misunderstandings can arise.
1. semantic noise: Different interpretations of words or terms can lead to misunderstandings. What is clear to one person may be understood completely differently by another. This can lead to misinterpretations. The pictures painted with words may not have matched.
2. emotional noise: Emotions play a major role in communication. When feelings such as anger, fear or frustration come into play, they can stop the flow of messages. And distort perception. In the corporate context, emotions can lead to conflicts during negotiations or teamwork.
3. physical noise: This refers to external factors such as other voices, technical problems or other distractions that interfere with communication. In digital communication, the competition is just a click away. In an office with noisy surroundings, you can loose focus quickly.
4. cultural noise: Different cultural backgrounds and values can lead to misunderstandings. Different interpretations of gestures, norms and behaviors lead to communication problems between people from different cultures. Whether in a company, with international teams or in interpersonal relationships.
5. technological noise: In an increasingly digital world, problems with technology, such as poor internet connections, email glitches or software bugs, can affect communication and interrupt the flow of information.
Even if the communication process is analytical per se and follows logical steps, communication is human.
Because even when we talk about corporate communications, people play a major role. Even if we call it B2B Business to Business Communication or B2C Business to Customer Communication, it is and remains H2H Human to Human.
Questions about the communication process?
The model provides a structured framework for understanding the flow of information between sender and receiver. It illustrates the complexity of the communication process and helps to identify disruptions that can affect the clarity of the message.
Interference or noise can impair communication, be it through semantic misunderstandings, emotional factors or technical problems. An awareness of these disorders makes it possible to recognize and overcome communication barriers.
Strategies such as clear and concise communication, active listening, conflict resolution techniques and an awareness of cultural differences can help minimize noise and improve communication. Understanding the communication barriers is the first step towards a solution.