7 C's of Communication

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCS_85.htm


This link is a extremely useful link that provides a checklist for proper communication. 

According to the 7 Cs, communication needs to be:

• Clear.
• Concise.
• Concrete.
• Correct.
• Coherent.
• Complete.
• Courteous.

Key points: 

• To be clear, try to minimize the number of ideas in each sentence. Make sure that it's easy for your reader to understand your meaning. People shouldn't have to "read between the lines" and make assumptions on their own to understand what you're trying to say.

• When you're concise in your communication, you stick to the point and keep it brief. Your audience doesn't want to read six sentences when you could communicate your message in three.

• When your message is concrete, then your audience has a clear picture of what you're telling them. There are details (but not too many!) and vivid facts, and there's laserlike focus. Your message is solid.

• When your communication is correct, it fits your audience. And correct communication is also error-free communication.

• When your communication is coherent, it's logical. All points are connected and relevant to the main topic, and the tone and flow of the text is consistent.

• In a complete message, the audience has everything they need to be informed and, if applicable, take action.

• Courteous communication is friendly, open, and honest. There are no hidden insults or passive-aggressive tones. You keep your reader's viewpoint in mind, and you're empathetic to their needs.

Keeping these 7 important points in mind, anyone should be able to foster and maintain relationships with their communication. Of the 7 C's I value coherent, courteous and concrete communication - I don't have time to put the pieces together of a puzzling email nor should I have to put up with someone's rude email tone. The most effective communicators in my organization excel at those three and it is a pleasure writing back and forth to them.