How do groups, organizations or even individuals communicate? The answer is divided into three basic methods. People essentially rely on oral (verbal), written, and nonverbal communication.
- 1. ORAL COMMUNICATION
The chief means of conveying messages is oral communication. Speeches, formal one-to-one and group discussions, and the informal rumor mill, or grapevine, are popular forms of oral communication. The advantages of oral communication are speed and feedback. A verbal message can be conveyed and a response received in a minimal amount of time. If the receiver is unsure of the message, rapid feedback allows for early detection by the sender and, hence, allows for early correction. The major disadvantage of oral communication surfaces whenever a message has to be passed through a number of people. The more people a message will pass through, the greater the potential distortion.
- 2. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Written communication includes memos, letters, fax transmissions, e-mail, instant messaging, organizational periodicals, notices placed on bulletin boards, or any other device that is transmitted via written words or symbols. Advantages of written communication are that, they are tangible and verifiable; the message can be stored for indefinite period.
Of course, written messages have drawbacks. They are time-consuming and they also have feedback problem.
- 3. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Every time we verbally give message to someone, we also impart a nonverbal message. In some instances, the nonverbal component may stand alone. Therefore, no discussion of communication would be complete without consideration of nonverbal communication – which includes body movements, the intonations or emphasis we give words, facial expressions, and the physical distance between the sender and receiver.
It can be argued that every body movement has a meaning, and no movement is accidental. The two most important messages that body language conveys are (1) the extent to which an individual likes another and is interested in his or her views and (2) the relative perceived status between the sender and the receiver. Body language adds on, and often complicates verbal communication. A body position or movement does not by itself have a precise or universal meaning, but when it is linked with spoken language, it gives fuller meaning to a sender’s message.