7 Cs of Communication: Clear Concise Concrete Correct Coherent Complete Courteous Clear
7 Cs of Communication: Clear Concise Concrete Correct Coherent Complete Courteous Clear
7 Cs of Communication
The 7 Cs of Communication are:
Clear
Concise
Concrete
Correct
Coherent
Complete
Courteous
Clear
(Clarity) Be clear about the goal of your message and the purpose of the message.
Present one idea at a time making it easier for the recipient to understand. Don’t
leave them guessing what the message is about and having to fill in the gaps
themselves.
Set a goal or outcome for what you want to communicate and work towards that.
Concise
(Conciseness) Keep to the point and keep it short and simple. Don’t use
unnecessary words (use two words where one will do or 6 sentences when 3 will
do). Don’t repeat the same point in different ways.
This will also make any communication more engaging and easier to understand.
Concrete
(Concreteness) Be clear, not fuzzy. Ensure there is enough detail to get the
message across but not too much so that the recipient will be lost and that the
message is factual.
Adding too much ‘noise’ around your main points can mean these are missed.
Make sure your main points and any conclusions are clear to the recipient.
Correct
(Correctness) Check the information you are providing is accurate and, in written
communication, ensure it is free from grammatical and spelling errors. Check the
technical parts of your content are understandable by the person receiving the
information.
Preparation will help here to make sure you can be sure about what you are
communicating or a chance to read what you have written.
Coherent
Make sure your message flows well and is laid out logically. The points you make
should all be linked to the main topic and should help you to deliver the objective
you originally set out to achieve. Make sure the tone of the message is the same
throughout.
Consider using a structure for your communication to help here.
Complete
(Completeness) Ensure the recipient has everything they need to understand
your message and take action if needed. If action is needed, ensure your message
includes a ‘call to action’. Also, ensure that any specific details are clear and
included. Don’t leave the recipient with lots of questions to ask.
Think about how you will check for understanding. For example, you could
ask questions to check their understanding.
Courteous
(Courtesy) Your message should be polite, friendly, professional, open and
honest. Think about your message from the recipient’s point of view and you are
empathetic towards their needs. This will help you to deliver the message in a
way that’s easy to understand and buy into.
Also, communicating to or writing for the reader can make your communication
more engaging.
By following the 7 Cs of communication you should find the messages you are
delivering much more effective.
Improves engagement
Creating teams of effective communicators can also increase employee
engagement among team members. This is especially useful as a leader when
encouraging team members to work together.
Solves problems
Effective communication skills can help team members identify solutions to
common challenges. Good communication skills also make it easier for team
members to articulate and clearly express their current concerns, leading to a
more transparent and honest work environment.
Builds trust
Effective communication skills, including empathy, compassion and
consistent nonverbal communication patterns, can help team members build
trust among each other. It can also help leaders earn the respect and trust of
their team members.
Process Overview
The sender lays down the foundation of effective communication. The message is based on the
idea and expression of the sender. Thus, the sender is the initiator of the communication. The
Sender
sender is the one who encodes the idea that he wants to communicate in a message that can be
understood by the receiver.
The message is the idea, thought, speech, symbol, sign, gesture, etc., that is to be communicated
to the receiver by the sender. The mode in which the message will be encoded is decided by the
Message
sender based on the nature and type of information. it can be both verbal and nonverbal in
nature.
Encoding is the process in which the target idea is transformed into a medium so that it can be
Encoding communicated to the receiver. encoding is a very important step in the process of
communication that if went wrong, can disrupt the whole process of communication.
The channel is the mode or medium through which the message flows or is transmitted to the
receiver. The channel is the mode through which the sender and receiver are connected and
Channel
the message flows through it. The choice of a proper channel is paramount considering the
advantages and disadvantages of each channel.
The receiver is the person for whom the message was intended. The receiver should be an
Receiver active listener so that he can well interpret the meaning of the message. The receiver needs to
correctly comprehend the message based on his knowledge, experience, and skills.
Decoding is done by the receiver who interprets the underlying meaning of the message. The
Decoding
receiver comprehends the message and tries to understand it most effectively.
Feedback is the end aspect of communication. Feedback is the response of the receiver that he
sends to the sender in connection with the message. Feedback makes sure that the
Feedback
communication is effective and that the messages are properly interpreted and understood by
the receiver.