4 Types of Communication

Sharing information from one person to another person or a group of people is called communication. It is recognized as the most essential skill of a person in a workplace. We use communication in our daily lives; we use it at home, in the workplace, and in a social setting. It plays an important role in building relationships with people. Communication is also very important in the workplace, as employers are always looking for a candidate with proven communication abilities, so it is important to list communication abilities on your resume and to go over them during a job interview. Trying to make formal interview questions for an employer helps you improve your communication skills and increases the chances of getting hired too.

Communication takes more effort to improve than the other skills because there is a big gap between just being able to communicate and being able to communicate well, as most people realize.

There are various communication methods. It includes verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual communication. In this article we will take a look at different forms of communication and how to improve your skills in each of these 4 types of communication.

Types of Communication

Here are the four types of communication:

1. Verbal communication
2. Non-verbal communication
3. Visual communication
4. written communication

Verbal communication

The first of the four recognized types of communication is verbal. Being able to use spoken words to communicate with each other and to express yourself is one of the top communication skills you can have. You can do it by speaking or writing Face-to-face verbal communication is the preferred method, and so many communication issues can be solved through a quick chat. There are two modes of verbal communication which are listed below:

• Oral Communication: This uses mouth and voice in conversation. and can be done indirectly through phone calls or directly like face-to-face. You can also express your emotions through the tone and volume of your voice.
• Written Communication: Using words in writing in different forms is another but common mode of verbal communication. It can be through text, emails, or letters.

Here are a few steps you can take to develop your verbal communication skills further:

• Use a strong, confident speaking voice.
• Use active listening.
• Avoid filler words.

Non-verbal communication

The type of communication that includes your facial expressions, posture, eye contact, hand movements, and touch and has no use of words is called non-verbal communication. It is the most important form of communication, and it supports your spoken words. When a person smiles, it tells the others that he is an amicable person. Using facial expressions, hand gestures, and postures help a person to convey his message more effectively to the listeners. Studies show that as much as 70%–80% of communication is non-verbal.

Hence, if you have the ability to improve your non-verbal communication, you can improve your verbal communication too. So here are some tips for you:

• Make eye contact: Make it a point to look someone in the eye when you’re talking to them. It demonstrates that you are listening, that you care.
• Use hand gestures: Use your hands to describe what you are trying to say. Such as opening your hands wide to indicate something large.
• Watch your body language: How you sit or stand also speaks volumes. Arms crossed might mean you are angry or closed. The posture of your body should be open and welcoming.

Visual Communication

Visual communication is the practice of conveying information, ideas, and emotions using visual elements like images, graphics, and symbols. This way helps to understand those things that are difficult to understand through the words. This form of communication is mostly used in advertisements, designs and very helpful and common in giving presentations.

As an example, when we have to deliver some information, like to present data of something, you can use a graph or a chart for better understanding rather than using words. It gives more clear information on it by using a picture or graph. Here are some tips you can improve your visual communication skills:

• Use clear and simple pictures: Pick images that help explain your idea easily.
• Keep visuals easy to understand: Don’t use too many details or confusing designs.
• Use color and design wisely: Nice colors and clean design help your message stand out and look good.

Written Communication

Written communication means sharing information by writing. This can be in the form of:

• Emails
• Reports
• Articles
• Social media posts (like on Facebook or Instagram)

Writing is a good way to talk when you are not speaking to someone face-to-face. Writing explains thoughts more clearly and it is important even in school, work and daily life.

Just imagine you have to write an email to your colleague with the latest updates related to work or something you might want to explain to him. So, writing in a clear way that your colleague can read and understand rather than making spelling mistakes or not writing clearly. Here are few tips you can use:

• Write clearly and simply: Use short and easy sentences so that others understand you.
• Check spelling and grammar: After composing your message, double-check for spelling or grammar errors.
• Use the right tone: You can write casually if it is for your friend. But if you are writing for office work or an adult, do be polite and formal.

Conclusion

Communication is one of the most important skills in every sphere of life especially at your workplace. By improving your skills in all 4 types of communication, you can become a better communicator and build stronger relationships with others. When you practice these skills, you will become a more confident and capable communicator, more capable of sharing your own ideas and listening to the ideas of others.

FAQ’s

What are the 4 main types of communication?

There are four main types of communication that we use on a daily basis these include verbal, non-verbal, visual and written communication.

• Verbal means talking with words.
• Non-verbal means using body language, like smiles or hand movements.
• Visual means using pictures, signs, or charts.
• Written means writing things like letters, emails, or messages.

Can effective communication skills be learned and improved over time?

Effective communication skills can be improved and learned through feedback, practice and training. Engaging in regular conversations and participating in communication workshops can enhance these skills.

What Are Examples of Workplace Communication?

People mostly communicate face-to-face (verbally), in writing (using email and tools), using images (like graphs and pictures) and non-verbally.

How do communication skills contribute to personal and professional success?

Good communication skills improves relationships, facilitating teamwork, and enhance problem-solving abilities.With clear communication you can build trust and express ideas effectively.

Which Type of Communication Works Best?

All types of communication are important, but the best one depends on the situation. For example, verbal communication is best used for things like meetings or team talks, while written communication is good for when you need to save the important information.
Whenever possible, company leaders, HR teams, and managers should always strive towards the improvement of their team’s communication ability. They do this through training, feedback, and exchanging tips.

At Zelt, we know that using an HR tool with smart document management can go a long way in keeping documents safe and organized.