Communication can occur through several mediums, and its choice can significantly influence the effectiveness of the communication.

Verbal

This is the most common medium for humans. It refers to using words and speaking to convey information between individuals synchronously. It can be face-to-face, over the telephone, or even over a video call.

It is a natural and effective form of communication, allowing for real-time feedback and exchange of ideas. Its effectiveness depends on many aspects, including listening skills, oratory, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.

  • Oct 8, 2022 - Effective Communication. The way we communicate with other people has a big impact on the effectiveness of the message we want to deliver.

Written

This involves any interaction that uses the written word. It is a fundamental method in business and personal settings and includes formats like documents, letters, e-mails, text messages, etc.

Written communication provides a permanent record of information and is effective for complex instructions or information that needs to be referenced over time.

In many modern businesses, written communication is critical to allowing distributed and asynchronous work to happen effectively. In the Tech industry, we are used to working asynchronously in teams by communicating over instant messaging apps and e-mail, iterating over documents and source code, managing projects through digital documents, etc.

Nonverbal

It involves conveying messages without the use of words. It may include body language, gestures, vocal variety, etc.

Non-verbal communication usually accompanies verbal communication and can reinforce or contradict the spoken message. Understanding and effectively using non-verbal cues is crucial for effective communication.

Watch the video I shared in a blog post about Effective Communication to see an example of nonverbal communication being used effectively.

  • Oct 8, 2022 - Effective Communication. The way we communicate with other people has a big impact on the effectiveness of the message we want to deliver.