Types of Communication
On this page 7 headings
Start here Right now, as you read this line, you are talking to someone. Who? Yourself! That voice in your head is also communication.
This week has four big parts:
- Types of communication
- Barriers to communication (things that block a message)
- The 10 C’s of communication
- Tips for good communication and listening
What is communication?
The word “communication” is used by everyone. But it is hard to define. Even experts do not agree on one definition.
Most definitions say this:
- We use symbols (words, signs, gestures) to pass on meaning.
- Communication is about the hidden meaning, not only what we see or hear.
- Our culture gives meaning to these symbols.
- It is a personal process. People exchange behaviour and information.
(Source on the slide: Fred Luthans, Organizational Behavior.)
In one line: Communication means passing meaning from one person to another using symbols. Exam words: symbols, meaning, personal process, exchange of behaviour and information.
Seven pairs of communication types
We communicate in different ways in different places. The lecture groups them into seven pairs.
| Pair | First type | Second type |
|---|---|---|
| Inner vs Outer | Inner — thoughts, imagination and feelings inside you. Not spoken. This is your inner chatter (the talk in your head). | Outer — what you show through speech or action. |
| Personal vs Social | Personal — with yourself, family, friends and dear ones. | Social — outside your personal space: community, society, people at work, the world. |
| Verbal vs Non-verbal | Verbal — the spoken word. | Non-verbal — gestures, body language, facial expressions and paralingual cues (tone, pitch, speed of voice). |
| Written vs Oral | Written — documents, agreements, reports, emails, messages. | Oral — spoken discussions and opinions. |
| Internal vs External | Internal — inside the organisation: within a team or between teams. | External — with clients, vendors and teams outside the organisation. |
| Vertical vs Horizontal | Vertical — up and down the hierarchy, between managers and team members. | Horizontal — between peers (people at the same level), in the same team or across teams. |
| Formal vs Informal | Formal — has a fixed process. Meetings, reports, briefings, minutes of meetings, feedback, appraisals. | Informal — casual talks and chats over tea, coffee or lunch. |
Everyday example You message your friend “Bro, class cancelled!”. That is informal, written, horizontal. You email your course coordinator to ask for a re-exam. That is formal, written, vertical.
In one line: The same message changes shape based on who you talk to and where. Exam words: inner, outer, personal, social, verbal, non-verbal, written, oral, internal, external, vertical, horizontal, formal, informal.
The person you talk to most is you
One professor says the most important type is inner communication.
- The inner chatter never stops.
- If it is not calm or positive, you cannot listen well.
- You also cannot focus or talk well with others.
So clear communication starts inside you. Then it moves to friends, society and the workplace.
Words are only a small part
Communication is not only words. It is also:
- your body language
- your tone of voice
- the expression on your face
The professor remembers that studies say 50% or more of the effect comes from body language. Only about 10–20% comes from the words.
For good communication, three things must match:
- what you think
- what you feel
- what you say
Your body language is the action part. It must match too.
The context also matters. Are you talking to your team or a client? To a senior or a peer? Is it formal or informal?
Everyday example A shopkeeper says “Welcome!” but does not look up from his phone. His words say welcome. His body says “go away”. You believe his body.
In one line: People believe your body language and tone more than your words. Exam words: body language, tone of voice, facial expression, think–feel–speak alignment, context.
Thought, Word and Deed
Another professor adds three more ideas.
1. There are many more kinds of communication. It can be angry, friendly, encouraging, depressing, silent or noisy. But for study, we focus on the seven pairs.
2. Thought, Word and Deed. In Sanskrit: Manasa, Vacha, Karmana. We talk to ourselves most of the time, silently or loudly.
3. Communication binds people together. It works for 2 people, 20 people or 200 people.
Lecture example — the army Imagine 2 lakh soldiers spread over 100–120 km. An order from the top must reach the last soldier. If it does not reach him, the operation fails. This needs a lot of planning.
As a professional, you must learn two things:
- How to present yourself.
- How to write formal messages using the ABC:
- A — Accuracy (correct facts)
- B — Brevity (short)
- C — Clarity (easy to understand)
This needs constant practice.
In one line: Keep your thought, word and deed the same, and write with Accuracy, Brevity and Clarity. Exam words: Manasa, Vacha, Karmana, ABC, accuracy, brevity, clarity.
Listening is part of communication
The fourth professor says listening is the most important part.
- If no one is listening, speaking has no use.
- Even silence inside you is communication.
- A pause while speaking is also communication. It gives the listener time to understand.
In one line: Without a listener, there is no communication. Exam words: listening, silence, pause.