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The 7 C’s of Effective Communication – Explained with Examples

An effective communication takes place when the message sent across by the conveyer is clear and easily comprehended by the receiver and relevant response is fed back to the one who conveyed the message and the flow continues similarly.

Source: Kurhan/Adobe Stock

Although communication takes place at all times, if it is done effectively is a matter of dispute. For the most part, people don’t communicate efficiently, and this has been one of the predominant contributors to interpersonal conflicts.

Lack of proper listening, psychological conditions, poor comprehension skills, absence of mind, ambiguity in the message conveyed, and improper usage of words are some of the most frequently occurring mistakes during conversations.

So what makes communication effective? What are some of the tips and strategies that can be applied when communicating in general?

We are constantly in touch with people, texting, sending emails, creating reports, attending conferences and whatnot. So how can we scale up our communication game? What would make us stand out and seem distinctive in this world swarming with competitors?

The 7 C’s of Effective Communication

The 7 C’s of communication is an excellent strategy formulated by Scott Cutlip and Allen Center in the year 1952 in his book “Effective public relations”. This came to be utilized by people across the globe and is one of the most operative strategies used to date.

It involves the following C’s:

Completeness
Correctness
Conciseness
Consideration
Concreteness

These strategies apply to both written and oral communication . The one who is aware of and makes use of these 7C’s in a sensible manner can become a good and effective communicator.

1. Completeness

This is one of the most significant aspects of effective communication . Completeness refers to giving full information about something rather than just saying it in bits and pieces. It’s the right of the recipient to receive access to the whole chunk of information to be able to follow the sender’s line of reasoning in regards to the matter being discussed.

For example, when Peter told “write a short passage on data science and send me”, Shawn couldn’t understand the context whatsoever. He had too many questions in his head about the topic, its length and the style of writing, where this piece of writing go etc.

Instead, Peter could frame his instructions as “Shawn I want you to write a 100-200 word short essay on the recent trends in data science. Submit it to me by the end of this day. I need it for our blog.”

Completeness holds much higher salience during the delegation of tasks when the subordinates need detailed instructions to pursue a task at hand.

2. Correctness

The genuineness and the value of your speech lie in its correctness and authenticity. It’s better to keep quiet rather than talk about something that you aren’t so sure of. The correctness of the speech would reflect directly on your personality and so it should be given utmost prominence.

The legitimacy of the factual information, the language used and grammar are some of the aspects of correctness amongst others.

If your audience spots any errors or blunders in your speech, it is no longer valued and they are likely to be distracted. The credibility of the speaker would also receive a massive hit and therefore the effectiveness of the communication will be compromised.

Related: Language Barriers

3. Conciseness

Conciseness is to keep the speech short and crisp. Nobody likes listening to someone who delivers long and draggy speeches because people lose interest and attention very easily. When interacting or delivering the speech, the ultimate objective is to make sure that the message is received in its intended form. Lack of conciseness will lead to the loss of essence in the content. Make sure to keep your speech brief and precise.

For example,

Intended message: “could you please receive Amanda from the airport?”

Delivered method: “Yesterday was a tiring day. Last night I couldn’t sleep properly. My wife has severe migraine and she’s down. I couldn’t have breakfast in the morning and I am tired. Amanda has taken her flight from Indonesia last night. She would reach here in some time. It would be nice if someone could pick her up from the airport.”

In this example, the message was simple. Yet, the sender makes it seem complicated and leaves the recipient feeling puzzled, irritated or exhausted. Also, he may deny the request. Such delivery of a message makes the message lose its value.

Related: Semantic Barriers

4. Courtesy

Courtesy refers to communicating with politeness, genuineness and respect for the person on the other side of the conversation. It will naturally scale up the value of communication. Courtesy is a tendency which stems out of empathy for people.

To be courteous doesn’t mean just use polite, magical phrases like “thank you”, “sorry”, “please” and “excuse me”. It also means to be honest, respectful and empathetic of people and not make sarcastic or any other form of passive-aggressive remarks.

One classic example would be from the infamous movie “Mean Girls” where Regina would tell a fellow classmate about how she loves the skirt she was wearing. As the girl leaves, Regina would tell her friend Cady how that was the ugliest skirt she has ever seen. This is an example of how you should not communicate.

In many instances, people use the power of their intellect and status to belittle the plight of others. This is so especially among those who bully the perceivably weaker ones for their timidity, racial backgrounds, gender, and color among many other aspects.

The global star Priyanka Chopra narrates in an interview about her high school days when she was severely bullied by her schoolmates. She was called names like “brownie” for her skin color and her ethnicity so much so that she was forced to have lunch inside a toilet cubicle.

Related: Assertive Communication

Clarity is to transfer accurate and easily comprehendible messages to the receiver. Before choosing to talk, be clear about your goals for the conversation. Let the other person know what your objective is for the interaction. To make your speech clear, always use simple language rather than using intricate phrases that would make comprehension difficult.

The recipient shouldn’t be made to “read between the lines”. Even if the content is complicated in nature, try to divide your ideas, distill it and make it as simple and clear as possible as that would make it easy for the receiver to grasp the information well.

6. Consideration

Consideration is quite similar to that of courtesy. It means to consider the other person and to address them putting you in their place. In other words, you talk to someone in a way you would want someone to talk to you.

For example, if you prefer someone to talk to you with respect and politeness, you would exhibit the same behaviors towards others. Just as that of courtesy, one should be inherently empathetic to be able to show consideration for the other person. When you are considerate, you sincerely regard people’s interests and benefits.

To be considerate also means to acknowledge the situational factors of the audience that you address. If you are going to give a talk on astrophysics amongst a bunch of seven-year-olds, the only response you would receive would be the sound of yawning and snoring; maybe even a giggle here and there if you’re lucky.

So when you talk to someone, remember to acknowledge their background such as their age, language proficiency, culture, literacy level, mental state, character, interests etc. so that you may be relatable to your audience and your intended message reaches them successfully.

7. Concreteness

Concrete communication denotes your message being specific, meaningful and focused. You don’t beat around the bush to get to a point. Rather it is solid and concise. You avoid vague and ambiguous messages and only strive toward making your information well received by the recipient. Your speech is crisp yet brimming with beneficial information. You incorporate factual evidence and figures to enhance the authenticity of your speech.

For example, when you say “Depression is a global issue”, you don’t just bluntly make that claim but also pitch in the statistical values and empirical evidence to support your statement.

And now, for your upcoming presentations make sure to follow these strategies and show up your confidence. These effective strategies may take you to the place of success at your workplace.

Best of luck!

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7Cs of Communication With Examples PDF

Published by team sy on september 6, 2024 september 6, 2024.

The 7 Cs of communication – clear, concise, concrete, correct, courteous, complete and constructive – provide a useful checklist for sending effective messages in both professional and personal settings. Clarity, brevity and tact are key elements of communication that resonates with audiences. Mastery of the 7 C’s can help you craft emails, reports, presentations and discussions that accomplish desired outcomes.

From customer service messages to employee communications, applying the 7Cs of effective communication will enhance your ability to connect and engage with others.
Whether addressing supervisors, subordinates or service users, proper usage of these communication principles helps ensure messages are well-received and achieve intended purposes.
Each of the 7 C’s reinforces good practices that optimize comprehension, trust and cooperation between communicators.

With relevant examples, learn how sharpening your use of clear, concise, concrete and other “C” words can make a real difference in the impact of your communications.

Download 7Cs of Communication With Examples PDF

Table of Contents

Explain 7 Cs of Communication With Examples

The 7 C’s of communication – clear, concise, concrete, correct, courteous, complete and constructive – provide a useful framework for ensuring that written and verbal messages are well-received by the intended audience. These principles emphasize the importance of precision, brevity and politeness in business and personal communications. Applying the 7Cs of effective communication helps optimize mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between communicators. With relevant examples, each of the 7 C’s can be explained and applied in practice to strengthen the clarity, impact and persuasiveness of your communications. When incorporated into your emails, reports, presentations and discussions on a consistent basis, the habits cultivated from utilizing the 7 C’s of communication can transform your ability to engage and connect with others.

Check 7Cs of effective communication with examples below.


Clear	Provide accurate, straightforward explanations and definitions	“We need to reduce costs by $1 million by the end of the quarter.”
Concise	Get to the point quickly without being redundant or wordy	Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs
Concrete	Use specific examples, numbers, and facts	“Sales increased by 12% last month compared to the same period last year.”
Correct	Check for accurate information, proper spelling and grammar	Have a colleague proofread your email before sending
Courteous	Use a polite and professional tone	Say “please” and “thank you.” Avoid harsh language
Complete	Provide all relevant details and context	Include an attachment with more information for those who need it
Constructive	Offer helpful suggestions and solutions	“Here are three things we can do to solve this problem…”

Good examples of each C in action:

“Please proofread this report for spelling and grammar mistakes.” (Clear + Courteous)

“Sales increased 12% last month. Let me know if you have any questions.” (Concise + Concrete + Complete + Courteous)

“Going forward, I suggest we provide a budget figure in each proposal to give clients a better cost estimate.” (Constructive)

7 Cs of effective Communication checklist

With consistent practice and feedback, the 7 C’s can become habitual approaches that improve all your communications! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Below we have explained the 7Cs of business communication

Clear – Communication should be simple, straightforward and unambiguous to avoid confusion. Use plain language and define any jargon or technical terms.
Concise – Get to the point quickly and communicate the key messages in the fewest words possible. Avoid unnecessary details.
Concrete – Use specific examples, numbers, and facts to illustrate your points. Avoid vague language.
Correct – Check your communications for accuracy, consistency and correct spelling and grammar. Facts should be verifiable.
Courteous – Be polite, respectful and professional in your tone. Avoid sarcasm, arguments and threats.
Complete – Provide all relevant information and context needed for the recipient to understand the communication. Leave no open gaps.
Constructive – Offer suggestions or solutions where appropriate. Focus on moving forward in a positive manner rather than dwelling on problems. Provide positive and negative feedback strategically.

The 7 C’s represent helpful guidelines for effective workplace communication. They emphasize qualities like clarity, brevity, accuracy and tact, which help ensure communications are well-received and accomplish desired outcomes. Consistently applying these principles can improve communication in areas like emails, reports, presentations, discussions and more.

Idioms on Science and Technology – You Must Know!

Importance of 7Cs of Communication

The 7 C’s of communication are an important framework for crafting effective messages that resonate with audiences. Here are some reasons why mastering the 7 C’s is important:

They optimize comprehension and minimize misunderstandings. Using clear, concise, and concrete language makes it easier for others to understand your intended meaning. This reduces the chances of miscommunication and confusion.
They build trust and credibility. Communicating information that is correct, complete, and evidence-based helps establish you as a reliable source. This builds trust in your communications over time.
They foster positive relationships. Being courteous and respectful in your communications helps create goodwill. Constructive feedback can strengthen relationships by focusing on improvement rather than criticism.
They improve information retention. Clear, concise messages that get straight to the point are more likely to be remembered and acted upon by the recipient. Reducing “noise” maximizes retention of key information.
They demonstrate professionalism. Mastering the habits of the 7 C’s signals a greater level of polish, preparation and attention to detail – hallmarks of a professional communicator.
They increase influence. Communications that are easy to understand, credible and courteous are more likely to persuade and motivate others to take desired actions.
They enhance performance. Improved communication minimizes delays, rework and errors caused by misunderstandings. It allows teams to operate more efficiently.

How can I improve my communication skills using the 7 C’s?

Here are some ways you can improve your communication skills by applying the 7 C’s:

Practice clarity. Avoid jargon, ambiguity and vagueness. Define technical terms. Use simple, direct language.
Be concise. Get straight to the point. Cut unnecessary words. Practice editing your communications down to the essentials.
Provide concrete details. Use specific examples, numbers, facts and evidence to illustrate and support your key messages.
Check for accuracy. Proofread carefully for spelling and grammatical errors. Verify facts and figures before communicating them.
Adopt a courteous tone. Be polite, respectful and avoid harsh language. Use “please” and “thank you.” Watch your volume and pace of speech.
Provide all relevant context. Explain acronyms. Summarize important background information. Offer to provide more details for those who need it.
Focus on solutions. Offer helpful suggestions, recommendations or next steps wherever possible. Shift the focus from problems to progress.
Practice active listening. Ask clarifying questions and summarize to check your understanding.
Solicit feedback. Ask colleagues to point out areas for improvement based on the 7 C’s.
Record yourself. Review video or audio of your speaking to identify areas for clearer, more concise communication.
Write it down. Drafting emails, reports or presentations using the 7 C’s can develop better habits for verbal communication too.

The key is consistent practice and seeking feedback over time. Breaking larger communications into shorter chunks can also help make them more “C-focused.” As you improve one or two C’s at first, your skills across all seven will gradually strengthen.

With patience and perseverance, applying the 7 C’s framework can noticeably improve the effectiveness and impact of your communication, both written and spoken! Let me know if you have any other questions.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the 7 C’s?

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the 7 C’s of communication:

Being vague instead of clear. Using ambiguous words and phrases instead of precise language that leaves no room for misinterpretation.
Being wordy instead of concise. Rambling or including extraneous details that do not directly support your key message.
Lacking concrete details. Failing to provide specific examples, numbers, evidence to illustrate your point. Relying too much on vague generalities.
Inaccuracies in content. Providing incorrect information due to not thoroughly fact checking or proofreading your communications.
An impolite or rude tone of voice. Speaking in a harsh, angry or impatient manner. Failing to use courtesy words like “please” and “thank you.”
Leaving out relevant context. Failing to fully explain necessary background or definitions for an external audience. Forgetting to provide attachments for those who need more information.
Focusing on problems, not solutions. Dwelling on negative issues rather than putting forth helpful suggestions for resolution or improvement.

Other common mistakes:

Interrupting and failing to listen actively. Not pausing to ask clarifying questions or summarize key points.
Declining feedback. Refusing opportunities to improve based on the 7 C’s when others offer constructive input.
Not proofreading and editing written communications. Missing small errors in spelling, grammar or consistency that undermine your credibility.

Avoiding these common traps will improve your ability to apply the 7 C’s of communication effectively. The key is to develop good communication habits that optimize clarity, brevity, tact, courtesy and reliability – the hallmarks of truly resonating with one’s intended audience.

FAQs on the 7 C’s of Communication

The 7 C’s of communication are: clear, concise, concrete, correct, courteous, complete and constructive. They provide guidelines for crafting messages that communicate effectively.

The 7 C’s improve comprehension, build credibility and foster better relationships. They ensure messages are well-received and achieve desired outcomes. Mastering the 7 C’s enhances professionalism and influence.

The 7 C’s were originally developed by management consultants and business communication experts. There is no single person credited with discovering them.

While the 7 C’s framework is well-known, the key principles of clarity, conciseness and courtesy likely encompass most of what is required for effective communication. Mastery of even a few of the 7 C’s can significantly improve how you connect and engage with others. The ultimate goal is creating communications that resonate with the intended audience.

At Studiously Yours Blog you can get 7Cs of communication PDF.

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A Complete Guide To The 7 Cs of Effective Communication (With Examples)

In a world filled with tweets, statuses, likes, and shares, it’s easy to assume that we’re masters of conveying our thoughts and ideas.

But there’s a vast difference between speaking and actually communicating.

In this ever-evolving landscape of emojis and digital noise, effective communication has become an indispensable skill.

According to a survey finding , a 100,000-employee company can incur an annual cost of $62.4 million due to poor communication.

On the contrary, companies with effective communicators can have 47% higher total returns.

Learning how to communicate effectively is an essential skill in navigating this highly competitive business world.

In this blog, we will delve into the 7 Cs of effective communication to unravel their significance. From clarity and courtesy, we will equip you with the essentials of effective communication to leave an impact in business communications like meetings, presentations, and also in your personal life.

So, are you ready to unlock the secrets of effective communication?

Let’s dive in:

What is Effective Communication?

Benefits of effective communication, what are the 7 cs of effective communication, final thoughts.

Effective communication refers to the process of conveying information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings from one person to another in a clear, concise, and understandable manner.

Communicating effectively ensures your message is accurately understood by the recipient, leading to successful interaction between individuals or groups.

Effective communication is like the secret sauce that makes all your interactions and relationships juicier and more flavorful.

It’s the art of expressing yourself clearly and authentically while also being able to listen attentively and empathetically.

Effective communication can take various forms depending on the context and the medium used.

Here are some common forms of effective communication:

Verbal Communication
Written Communication
Non-Verbal Communication
Visual Communication
Active Listening
Digital Communication
Public Speaking

Effective communication is a vital skill in various aspects of life, including personal relationships, professional settings, and social interactions.

You may want to check out our short video on Non-verbal communication:

Whether you’re conveying information, expressing ideas, or building relationships, following the principles of effective communication helps you communicate more effectively:

Here are a few benefits that show the importance of 7cs of communication:

Understanding: Effective communication helps others understand your ideas, thoughts, and feelings more clearly. It reduces misinterpretations and promotes shared understanding between individuals.
Stronger Relationships: When you communicate effectively, you build stronger and more meaningful relationships and cause healthier personal and professional interactions.
Conflict Resolution: Effective communication allows you to express your concerns, listen to other perspectives, and find common ground. Persuasive speaking helps you find mutually beneficial solutions and promotes harmony.
Increased Productivity: Clear and efficient communication enhances productivity in various settings. By conveying instructions, expectations, and feedback effectively , you minimize errors and improve workflow efficiency.

Improved Decision-Making: When communication is clear and open, decision-making becomes more informed and effective. Access to relevant information, diverse viewpoints, and constructive discussions enable better decision-making processes.
Professional Success: Soft skills are one of the essentials of business communication and are highly valued in the professional world. Effective communication helps you articulate your ideas, present yourself confidently , and build rapport with colleagues, clients, and superiors. It positively impacts your career advancement.

Influence and Persuasion: By expressing ****your thoughts convincingly, providing supporting evidence, and appealing to emotions, you can inspire action and influence positive change. It is a valuable skill in leadership, negotiation, and public speaking.
Personal Growth: Effective communication contributes to self-awareness. It encourages reflection, active listening, and empathy, allowing individuals to better understand themselves and others. Clear thinking promotes personal development and emotional intelligence.

Effective Communication For the Future of Work. According to a survey of recruiters , 94% agreed that employees who possess strong soft skills are more likely to be promoted. The LinkedIn APAC Future of Skills 2019 Report supports this finding and indicates that with the increasing influence of AI and automation, the value of soft skills is on the rise.

By honing your communication skills, you can navigate life’s challenges more effectively and cultivate meaningful connections with others.

Let’s now look at the 7 Cs of communication one by one.

Clarity is the most important characteristic of communication.

Clear communication means expressing your message in a way that is easily understood by the recipient. It involves using simple language, avoiding jargon or technical terms, and organizing your thoughts logically.

Clarity leaves no room for any confusion or misinterpretation of your message.

Your message should be straightforward and easily comprehensible.

Unclear communication:

Just a quick reminder about the meeting tomorrow. It’s important, so please make sure you’re prepared. Also, don’t forget to bring any relevant documents. See you there!

The email doesn’t mention the specific time, date. And it leaves confusion with the word “relevant documents”.

Clear communication:

I wanted to remind you about the quarterly sales meeting scheduled for tomorrow, May 20th, at 10 AM in Conference Room B.

The purpose of this meeting is to review our sales performance for the past quarter and discuss strategies for improvement.

In preparation for the meeting, please make sure to:

Familiarize yourself with the sales data and reports for the past three months.
Identify key trends and insights from the data.
Prepare any relevant recommendations or suggestions for improving our sales performance.

Additionally, please bring a printed copy of your sales figures and any supporting documents that you believe would contribute to our discussion.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Best regards,Kumar

This clear and detailed communication helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and well-prepared for the meeting.

To ensure clarity in communication:

Avoid complex or technical terms and choose simple words
Organize your information in neat and clean manner.
Illustrate your points with examples, analogies, or visual aids.
Pay attention to the tone of your message

Check out our video on why Clarity is important in communication.

Being concise means getting your message across in a clear and straightforward manner without using unnecessary words or information. It’s about distilling your thoughts and ideas into their most essential form.

Conciseness of the message refers to carefully selecting your words and arranging them in a way that is simple, to the point, and easy to understand.

Conciseness in communication ensures that your message is comprehended quickly.

When you ramble on, use filler words , or include too much unnecessary information, you risk losing your audience’s attention and diluting the impact of your message.

Remember, being concise doesn’t mean sacrificing important details; rather, it means prioritizing and presenting information in a streamlined manner.

Non-concise Communication: “Hey Neha, I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming project deadline. So, you know, we’ve been working on it for quite some time, and we’ve encountered a few challenges along the way. I think it’s important for us to take into account all the feedback we’ve received from the team, especially the issues they’ve raised about the budget allocation. Additionally, I believe we should also consider the potential impact of the recent market trends on our project’s success. So, what do you think?”

Concise Communication: “Neha, let’s discuss the project deadline. We need to address the team’s feedback on budget allocation and consider the impact of recent market trends. What are your thoughts?”

So, next time you communicate, think about

how you can trim the fat from your message,
get to the point,
make it easier for others to understand and engage with what you’re saying.

Being correct means conveying accurate and reliable information without errors or misleading statements. Correctness in communication ensures the facts, figures, grammar, spelling, and other details are correct.

It is important to verify facts, use credible sources, and double-check information before sharing it. This applies to both verbal and written communication.

Humans are easily fooled by false information, and it spreads quickly.

According to a study from the MIT Media Lab , false information is 70% more likely to be shared on social media compared to true information. Misinformation travels farther and faster than the truth across all types of information.

Being correct doesn’t mean you have to be an expert on everything or know every single detail. It means that you take responsibility for the information you share and make an effort to provide accurate and reliable data or statements.

If you’re uncertain about something, it’s perfectly fine to admit it and offer to find the correct information later. It shows honesty and integrity, which are valuable traits in effective communication.

Imagine a colleague presenting a sales report in a meeting. They mention that the company achieved a 10% increase in sales last quarter. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that there was a mistake in the calculations, and the actual increase was only 5%.

In this scenario, the colleague’s wrong information could lead to poor decision-making and misunderstandings within the company.

To ensure correctness in communication:

Double-check any facts, figures, or details before communicating them.
Review your communication for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Avoid slang, jargon, or technical terms that might not be familiar to everyone.
Stay informed about changes, updates, or developments related to your topic.

By prioritizing correctness in communication, we establish trust, credibility, and reliability in our interactions.

4. Complete

Being complete means providing all the necessary information and ensuring that your message is comprehensive and thorough. It’s about leaving no room for confusion or ambiguity.

To ensure completeness in communication, it’s important to provide all the relevant facts, details, and context that the recipient needs to fully grasp the message.

You also need to answer any anticipated questions or concerns that the listener may have.

Incomplete Communication: “We need to improve sales.”

This message is vague and lacks specificity. It does not provide any details or guidance on how to improve sales

Complete Communication:

“To improve sales, we should focus on increasing our online advertising budget by 20% for the next quarter. Additionally, let’s launch a targeted email campaign to our existing customer base offering a 10% discount on their next purchase. We should also provide additional sales training to our team members to enhance their product knowledge and customer engagement skills. Lastly, let’s explore strategic partnerships with complementary businesses to expand our customer reach and tap into new markets.”

To ensure completeness in communication:

Determine what information needs to be conveyed or what action needs to be taken.
Collect all the the key details, facts, data, and any supporting materials
Organize the message in a logical and coherent manner.
Review and revise for completeness before sending.

5. Consideration

Consideration in communication is about taking into account the needs, perspectives, and feelings of your listeners. It requires empathy and understanding, taking into account the specific circumstances, preferences, and concerns of your audience.

Doing an in-depth audience analysis is crucial for considerate communication.

You also have to be mindful of the timing and context of your communication. You consider whether it is an appropriate moment to bring up certain topics or if the person is in the right frame of mind to receive the message.

Consideration is not limited to face-to-face interactions—it applies to all forms of communication, including written messages, emails, and even social media posts.

Inconsiderate communication: “I need you to complete this report by the end of the day. It’s urgent and I don’t have time to wait.”

The message is abrupt, demanding, and fails to acknowledge the recipient’s workload or time constraints.

Considerate Communication:

“Hello, I hope you’re doing well. Could you please complete the report by the end of the day if possible? I understand you may have other tasks on your plate, but it would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you need any assistance or if we can discuss the timeline further. Thank you!”

Here the message acknowledges the recipient’s workload and recognizes the need for flexibility by using phrases such as “if possible” and “I understand.” The sender offers assistance and opens the door for further discussion, emphasizing a collaborative approach.

To ensure consideration in your communication:

Put yourself in your audience’s shoes and see how they might perceive your message.
Use language that is respectful, courteous, and appropriate.
Adapt your tone and approach to match their communication style.

6. Concrete

Being concrete means expressing your thoughts and ideas in a specific and tangible way.

Concrete communication is about avoiding vague or ambiguous statements and providing clear details. Concrete language makes your communication more relatable and engaging, enabling your audience to grasp your point quickly and accurately.

Concreteness forms a vivid mental image of your message. It fosters a stronger connection between you and your audience, as they can visualize your ideas more.

Remember, being concrete doesn’t mean you have to provide excessive detail in every situation.

You must find the right balance and provide enough specific information to make your message clear and relatable.

Vague statement: “Our customer satisfaction levels are not where we want them to be. We should work on improving them.”

Concrete Communication:

“Our customer satisfaction survey results for the past quarter indicate an overall satisfaction score of 6.2 out of 10. One area of concern highlighted by customers is the response time for resolving their issues, with an average resolution time of 48 hours. To address this, we will implement a new ticketing system that automates escalations and streamlines the support process. This will reduce response times to within 24 hours, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and higher retention rates.”

Whether you’re sharing a personal story, presenting data, or explaining instructions, using concrete language will enhance your communication skills and make your message resonate with others.

To ensure concreteness in communication:

Include measurable data such as numbers, percentages, or statistics to make your communication more tangible.
Focus on action-oriented language to emphasize actionable steps and outcomes.
Use real-life examples, case studies, or anecdotes to illustrate your points.

7. Courteous

Courteous communication refers to the use of polite and respectful language and behavior. It involves maintaining a professional and friendly tone, adhering to social norms, and showing respect for others’ opinions, time, and boundaries.

Courtesy in communication creates a positive and supportive atmosphere, fostering better understanding and stronger relationships.

You must choose your words and tone carefully to ensure that your message is received in a positive and respectful manner.

You should avoid using offensive or disrespectful language and strive to maintain a professional and friendly tone.

Uncourteous communication: Hey, Rita, your presentation yesterday was terrible. You need to improve your skills. It was a waste of everyone’s time.

Courteous Communication: Hey, Rita, do you have a moment? I wanted to talk about the presentation you gave yesterday. I appreciate your effort, and I believe there are areas where we can make it even stronger.

By incorporating courtesy into your communication, you can sound more professional.

It helps you enhance the effectiveness and impact of your message while nurturing healthy connections with those around you.

Difference between consideration and courtesy in communication:

consideration focuses on understanding and addressing the specific needs, interests, and perspectives of the audience,
while courtesy centers on using polite and respectful language and behavior, and showing respect for others’ opinions, time, and boundaries.

You may want to check out our video on how to speak like a professional.

No communication is complete without feedback.

Yes, feedback is essential for effective communication.

Feedback allows for confirmation, clarification, and adjustment of the message.

Feedback can be given through verbal or non-verbal responses, questions, or written comments. It helps to ensure that the intended message is accurately received and interpreted.

Without feedback, communication becomes one-sided, leading to misunderstandings and assumptions. Feedback closes the loop and helps ensure that both parties understand each other.

By actively seeking and encouraging feedback, you create an environment where your listeners and team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.

Taking feedback requires humility and an open mind. Embracing feedback empowers us to refine our communication style. On the flip side, giving feedback requires finesse and tact.

Check out the perfect way to give feedback:

Improving your communication skills can have a profound impact on your life. By implementing the 7 Cs of Effective Communication, you can become a more skilled and effective communicator in any situation.

It’s not about being a master or impressing others with your words but rather about connecting with people and making your message truly understood.

Improving your communication skills takes practice and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable.

Whether it’s in your personal relationships, professional endeavors, or everyday interactions, effective communication is the key to understanding and being understood.

So, why not start today?

If you are looking for a comprehensive platform to enhance your communication skills, I encourage you to check out BBR English.

Our 1:1 live sessions with a personal mentor are designed to help you improve your verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a supportive, personalized environment. You’ll discover proven techniques to gain your confidence to communicate effectively in any situation.

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Check out how BBR English helped a law student upgrade her Communication Skills.

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What Are the 7 Cs of Effective Communication? Dos & Don’ts

Table of contents

Communication is essential for sharing ideas and feelings in personal and business interactions. It’s the key to transmitting information through verbal, nonverbal, or written methods. Effective communication, regardless of the method, is crucial for success.

Good communication makes your message clear and impactful, while poor communication can confuse and lead to misunderstandings. The 7 Cs of communication are principles that ensure your spoken and written messages are effective. Practicing these principles in business communication makes your messages more influential and understandable.

Importance of 7 Cs of Communication

The 7 Cs of communication help you achieve effective and meaningful communication. They guide you on how to interact with people impactfully. Implementing these communication rules helps you build good connections and maintain your reputation.

Understanding the 7 Cs of effective communication helps you with your verbal and written communication methods while maintaining the tone of your message. It is beneficial for both interpersonal and business communication.

What Are the 7 Cs of Effective Communication?

The 7 Cs of effective communication are Concise, Complete, Coherent, Clear, Courteous, Concrete, and Correct. These principles make your ideas more impactful and practical, leading to understandable and effective communication.

It can be complicated to improve your communication skills without exercising the principles of the 7 Cs. Once you practice them, you will see the differences and recognize their importance.

The longer your message is, the harder it can be for the audience to remember. It’s easy for people to lose attention when your message is long and includes a draggy explanation. Your message must be brief and to the point - get to the end of your message quickly. Being concise is one of the most effective 7cs of communication. Avoid repetitions of the information. It saves your time while keeping your audiences engaged.

Don’t: Drag on and use unnecessary words.

Bad Example : “In order to possibly determine the outcome of the situation that we’re currently looking at, we might need more data.”

Do: Get straight to the point.

Good Example : “We need more data to determine the outcome.”

2. Complete

Providing answers to your listeners with logic, fact, and relevancy is crucial in any form of communication. You must provide complete information in your message without missing the major points. It makes your content more understandable as you provide details on what you’re saying. Moreover, it ensures that you do not leave any questions in the receiver’s mind or leave them wondering.

Don’t: Leave out crucial details or information.

Bad Example : “Send me the files.”

Do: Provide all necessary details.

Good Example : “Please send me the sales report files for March by the end of the day.”

3. Coherent

Keeping your message related to the audience can aid influential communication. Structuring your message to suit your audience is a great way to keep your audience engaged throughout the conversation. You must acknowledge the background of your audience to structure your message coherently. Additionally, explain your message in an organized order to help readers understand the intended message properly. Make sure the points of your message are logical and connected.

Don’t: Jump from topic to topic without a clear connection.

Bad Example : “Our sales increased last month. Did you see the new coffee machine in the pantry? We should target the Asian market next.”

Do: Ensure your message flows logically.

Good Example : “Our sales increased last month, especially in the Asian region. We should continue targeting the Asian market.”

Clarity is one of the most essential 7 Cs for effective communication. Your message should be easily understandable and clear to your audience. Make your perception of communication clear, as you can’t make your audience understand unless you are clear on the message. Only you can carry clear ideas with relevant meanings in messages. While carrying your ideas forward, put them straight, using simple language to bring clarity to your speech or message.

Don’t: Use jargon or complicated words without explaining them.

Bad Example : “The ROI of our latest PPC campaign has surpassed our KPIs.”

Do: Make sure your message is easily understood.

Good Example : “The return on investment (ROI) of our latest pay-per-click (PPC) campaign has exceeded our key performance indicators (KPIs).”

5. Courteous

Being courteous is another fundamental principle of the 7 Cs of communication. Be open and honest with the audience while communicating. You must be polite and respectful to your listeners. This doesn’t mean using only formal language and polite words. The use of informal language is okay, especially during casual communication. However, there must be a respectful attitude in communication. Even if it’s not good news, it’s important to communicate positively and transparently. There should be no hidden insults in your message.

Don’t: Be blunt or insensitive.

Bad Example : “Your report was wrong.”

Do: Use polite and respectful language.

Good Example : “I think there might be some inaccuracies in the report. Let's review it together.”

6. Concrete

Concrete means being confident and very focused on your information. You must ensure that your message is trustworthy. Keep your message straight and meaningful by supporting it with factual data and figures. Concreteness can be significant for businesses and is considered one of the most essential 7 Cs of communication. You must include concrete details in your message in business communication. However, it is also important not to include too many of them to avoid confusion. The details must be specific to your message.

Don’t: Be vague or ambiguous.

Bad Example : “We had good sales last year.”

Do: Use specific details and facts.

Good Example : “Our sales increased by 20% last year, resulting in an additional $50,000 in revenue.”

Correctness plays a crucial role in ensuring effective communication. Your audience can only understand your intended message if you ensure correctness. Your message must be correct both grammatically and technically. Your ideas and information must be error-free and based on facts and reality. They must not contain any inaccurate or false information. Errors, misstatements, and lies lead to ineffective communication- they can result in loss of confidence and trust issues.

Don’t: Use incorrect grammar or misinformation.

Bad Example : “There sales last month was good.”

Do: Ensure your message is grammatically and factually accurate.

Good Example : “Their sales last month were impressive.”

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Understanding the 7 Cs of effective communication enhances clarity and makes your interactions more impactful across all areas, including business and education. When you apply these principles, you can improve efficiency and strengthen your communication skills.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 7 cs of communication.

The 7 Cs of communication refer to seven essential principles that enhance the clarity and impact of communication. They are: Concise, Complete, Coherent, Clear, Courteous, Concrete, and Correct.

Why are the 7 Cs Important in Communication?

The 7 Cs are pivotal for clarity and understanding in communication. They ensure messages are concise, accurate, and well-structured, improving audience engagement, fostering trust, and preventing misunderstandings.

How much of communication is non-verbal?

A significant portion of communication is nonverbal. Studies suggest that around 90% of communication is nonverbal , but this number varies depending on the context and type of interaction. Nonverbal cues include body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, which are crucial in conveying emotions and intentions.

Who Created the 7 Cs of effective Communication?

Professor Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center published “Effective Public Relations“ in 1952. It was the first textbook about public relations and later introduced the 7 Cs of communication.

How can one achieve conciseness in communication?

You can achieve conciseness in communication by keeping your message brief and accurate based on facts. You must avoid using filler words and unnecessary phrases.

How do the 7 Cs of communication improve business communication?

The 7 Cs of communication can be applied to various forms of business communication. You can practice them in speech, text messages, meetings, emails, or seminars. They help businesses ensure a proper and accurate exchange of information.

Can the 7 Cs of communication be applied to both written and verbal communication?

The 7 Cs of communication can be applied to verbal and written communication. They help deliver clear and effective messages in interpersonal and business communication.

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7 Cs of Effective Communication with Example

7 Rules of Effective Communication with Examples

A study conducted by McKinsey Global Institute and International Data Corporation reveals that employees spend close to 30% of their time on emails. Beyond that, meetings, conference calls, presentations, report writing, and other work activities involve communicating with peers, superiors, and other colleagues.

To ensure that you communicate most efficiently and engagingly as possible and thereby enhance your productivity at work, you need to follow the 7 Cs of effective communication: Clear, Correct, Complete, Concise, Concrete, Coherent, and Courteous.

7 Cs of Effective Communication

Any message needs to come out clearly from your communication rather than the recipient having to assume things and come back to you for more information. This will only lead to more time being wasted on emails.

Do not try to communicate too many things in one message. This will dilute the attention of the reader. For an example of poor communication skills, look at this email below.

Bad Example:

Dear James,

I would like to talk to you about the new client’s project, which the engineering team discussed yesterday. I might need the help of John from your team.

Regards, Kevin

Innumerable things are wrong in this email. James might not even know who the new client is or what the project is about. He probably was not part of the meeting with the engineering team.

Furthermore, there might be more than one John in James’ big team. Kevin also mentions that he wants to talk. However, he hasn’t mentioned what time he would like to talk, nor has he asked James if he would be free at any available time slots.

Here’s how this email could be made clearer.

Good Example:

As you may know, we have signed up XYZ as our new client. I had a meeting with the engineering team yesterday and discussed the campaign requirements for this project.

John Redden from your team did a pretty good job last time doing the social media campaign for ABC, and so I would like him to work on the XYZ campaign too. Would you be available sometime tomorrow to discuss this further?

Regards Kevin

This email has all the information James needs to know. He can be well prepared for the meeting and also check on John’s availability and have an answer for Kevin when they meet the next day – in whichever time slot both the men are free.

When too many emails are being written in a day, people tend to type fast and, therefore, might make spelling mistakes. Spell check will not be able to catch it if the wrongly spelled word is in fact another word in the English language.

You also must ensure that you address people correctly and spell their names correctly. Additionally, you must ensure that the reader has sufficient knowledge and education to understand the technical terms you use in your communication.

Dear David,

Further to our conservation today, I am attaching the plan for the first stage of the project. Hope the one weak deadline is okay with you and your team.

Regards Sally

There were two glaring spelling errors in this e-mail. ‘ Conversation ’ was spelled ‘ conservation,’ and ‘ week ’ was spelled ‘ weak .’ Though these are minor errors, they could gravely impact the credibility of your professionalism and the brand image of the organization you represent.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to check all your spellings and prefixes before you send an email, especially if you are sending it to a client or a vendor outside of your company.

3. Complete

A complete message will have all the information the reader needs to know to be able to respond or take action. If you require the reader to take some action, ensure that you have a ‘ call-to-action ’ in your email and also communicate the urgency of the task in question.

Incomplete messages lead to iterations, a lot of back-and-forths, and a waste of time and effort on both ends.

Here is an example of an incomplete message.

Let us meet tomorrow to discuss the product launch event. Please be there on time.

Thanks Chris

There is no mention of the time of the meeting scheduled or the location, and neither is there any set agenda. The recipients of the email would have to write back or call back to Chris to clarify.

The best way to have written this email is:

Let us meet tomorrow at 11 am in Conference room 3 to discuss the product launch event. We will have to decide on the keynote speakers and complete the event invite draft tomorrow. Please be there on time.

More often than not, people tend to write four sentences in a place where they could have finished the message in 2 sentences. This wastes the time of the sender and the receiver and, in turn, limits their productivity too.

Furthermore, try not to add fillers such as ‘I mean,’ ‘ sort of ,’ ‘ for instance ,’ ‘ basically ,’ etc. Your message needs to be accurate, to the point, and crisp.

Here is an example of a bad email.

Hi Suzanne,

I think we need to talk about the CSR campaign; I mean the one which we need to do as a quarterly exercise. I think it is a great way of enhancing our brand image. Basically, it would just be a visit to an orphanage, but we can sort of do other things too.

For instance, we could take the kids out for a short trip to a nearby park or zoo. Let us sit and talk tomorrow.

Regards Jennifer

The mail is full of fillers and extended phrases wherein she could have finished the email in just two sentences, such as the one below.

I need to discuss the quarterly CSR campaign with you. Let us take the kids to a nearby park or zoo instead of just visiting them. This will help enhance our brand image. We’ll talk in detail tomorrow.

5. Concrete

You need to believe in you what you want to convey to the audience. Concreteness is a quality that needs to come to the fore, especially during the marketing or advertising campaigns. There need to be details that capture the audience’s attention, not bore them.

“Hilltop Resort is the best resort. Do come to us on your next holiday.”

This is a vague ad message. It is made to sound like just another resort advertisement among a hundred others. The audience will never remember this ad message. There are no concrete details to take away from this message.

“Hilltop Resort is the jewel of the western hills. Take a break from your work. Escape from life’s chaos and stress. Relax and rejuvenate yourself at Hilltop. Go back fresh and energized!”

This message gives you visualization details. The reader can actually imagine being in a beautiful resort breathing fresh air and swimming in a pool instead of slogging away at his or her office. That is a concrete message conveyed to the audience.

6. Coherent

Your message needs to have a logical flow. All sentences in your email or report should be connected to the previous one and stick to the main topic. Without coherence, the reader will easily lose track of what you have conveyed.

Thanks for submitting the industry report. Finn will give you some feedback on it. Finn also wanted to find out if you will be available for the client meeting tomorrow. We will be discussing the budget for the next phase of the project.

Regards Shirley

The email was supposed to be about the industry report which was submitted and the feedback for it. The question about the meeting had come out of nowhere and will now distract Nam and her priorities.

Thanks for submitting the industry report. Finn will give you some feedback on it. You will be receiving an email from him with detailed comments.

This email talks only about the report. Therefore, Nam knows that her report has been viewed and needs to wait for feedback. There are no other distractions. The query about the meeting must have been an entirely different email.

7. Courteous

Being courteous is of profound importance in a corporate setting. Individuals who work together are not necessarily friends; therefore, to maintain a healthy working relationship, being courteous is necessary.

Hidden insults and aggressive tones will only cause trouble among individuals and result in reduced morale and productivity.

I really do not appreciate how your IT team ignores the requests of my team alone. My team is also an important function in this organization, and we have our own IT requirements. Can you ensure that your team responds promptly to my team’s requests hereon?

Regards Stanley

This email is condescending, judgmental, and disrespectful. Drew might now order his team not entirely to respond to your team’s requirements. Try this instead:

I understand that the IT team is swamped with work and gets requests from every department in the organization. My team, however, is working on a high-priority project, and I would greatly appreciate it if you could ask your team members to respond to my team’s queries promptly and help us complete this project on time.

Please do let me know if you need anything from me.

As a result of the polite request, Drew will likely feel appreciated and important, and he will definitely ask his team to help your team out. Work gets done, and everybody is happy too.

To sum up, working with other individuals, be it within your team or other teams in the organization is the norm in today’s corporate setting. Therefore, communication becomes a critical skill. When you communicate well, you become more efficient, tend to command respect among your peers, and maintain a healthy relationships with your colleagues. Keep in mind the 7 Cs of communication and accelerate your career growth.

While you are, do check out these popular courses by Invensis Learning that will help you advance in your professional career.

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The 7 C’s of Communication: Essential Strategies for Personal and Professional Success

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Table of Contents

The 7 C’s of Communication

In the professional world, effective communication is crucial for success and relationships. Herein lies the significance of the 7 Cs of Communication , a concept initially introduced by Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center , pioneers in the field of public relations. This principle underscores the importance of clear, concise, coherent, consistent, complete, courteous, and concrete communication. It’s not just about word choice; it’s a strategic approach to ensure messages are received and understood as intended.

As we delve into the nuances of each ‘C,’ we will explore how this foundational concept has stood the test of time, continually proving its value in fostering professional and effective communication across various sectors. Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a budding entrepreneur, or stepping into the corporate arena, understanding and implementing the 7 Cs of Communication can revolutionize your interaction landscape, paving the way for clearer expression, effective leadership, and, ultimately, organizational growth.

The First C: Clearness

illustration of two young men talking for the 7 C's of communication article

Picture a scenario where a project manager instructs their team, “We need to improve the quality of our project delivery.” While the intention is good, the vagueness of ‘improve’ and ‘quality’ leaves room for interpretation, creating a smokescreen around the specific expectation. A clearer communication would be, “We need to reduce the number of client-reported bugs in our software by 20% for the next release.” This communication version conveys a tangible goal, providing a clear direction for the team’s efforts.

Maintaining clarity, especially in professional dialogue or written communication, isn’t an innate skill for most. Still, with these tips, it can be cultivated:

Know Your Message: Before you communicate, be clear with yourself about what you want to convey. This self-clarity is the first step in clear communication with others.
Simplicity is Key: Use simple language and sentence structures. Using complex words can often lead to a lack of clarity in your message.
Be Direct: Avoid roundabout phrases and get straight to the point. Direct communication often reduces the need for follow-up clarification.
Use Visual Aids: When appropriate, use graphs, charts, or images to complement your words. Sometimes, a visual representation can clarify what words cannot.
Seek Confirmation: After delivering your message, confirm that it’s been understood as intended. Confirming can be as simple as asking, “Does that make sense?” or “Do you understand the steps moving forward?”

Clearness in communication is not about diluting your message but rather about precision. It’s the skill of being straightforward and understandable, an essential tool in the arsenal of anyone wishing to communicate effectively.

Conciseness

Navigating to the second C, we explore “Conciseness,” the art of brevity and power in communication. Conciseness dictates that your message should be as compact as it is clear, free from over-elaboration or unnecessary details. It’s the practice of getting straight to the point, enhancing your message’s punch while respecting your audience’s time.

Consider a marketing executive presenting to a client. Instead of saying, “Many people around the world appreciate our product because it’s helpful,” a concise version would be, “Our product is globally acclaimed for its effectiveness.” The latter, crisp and on-point, prevents the audience’s mind from wandering and keeps engagement intact.

However, a common pitfall is over-explaining or stuffing messages with fluff that dilutes the core message’s impact. Doing so not only tests the audience’s patience but can also bury key points in a landslide of words, leading to miscommunication or loss of interest.

So, how does one maintain conciseness in communication? Here are strategies to help you trim the excess:

Plan Ahead: Know your key points before you start. This preparation allows you to stick to the script, reducing the temptation to add unnecessary information.
Embrace Simplicity: Use simple words and sentences. If a single well-chosen word will do, there’s no need for five.
Avoid Fillers: Words like “basically,” “actually,” or “really” rarely add value to your message. They’re often crutches that make your communication limp.
Edit Ruthlessly: After drafting a message, especially in written form, go back and cut out redundant words or phrases. Less is often more.
Use Active Voice: Passive voice leads to longer sentences. Active voice is direct, clearer, and usually requires fewer words.
Practice Precision: Be specific. Generalizations often lead to longer explanations because they lack precision.

Conciseness is not about cutting corners; it’s about efficiency and respect for the recipient’s time and attention span. Mastering clear and impactful communication ensures your message is absorbed.

Transitioning to the third C, we delve into “Coherence,” a critical component that ensures your communication is not a random assortment of ideas but a harmonious symphony of thoughts leading to a logical conclusion. Coherent communication is structured, logical, and consistent, with each point connecting seamlessly with the next, creating a clear pathway for the listener or reader to follow.

Imagine a presentation where the speaker jumps between unrelated topics, introduces ideas without context, or presents arguments contradicting earlier statements. The audience, unable to follow the narrative, becomes lost in a maze of confusion, leading to frustration and disengagement. This scenario underscores the risks of incoherent communication – it muddles the message, obscures the objective, and diminishes the communicator’s credibility.

To weave coherence into your verbal and written communication, consider the following strategies:

Outline First: Before diving into a conversation, presentation, or written document, outline your main points. This roadmap will guide your content structure, ensuring a logical flow from one point to the next.
Logical Connections: Use phrases like “in addition,” “however,” and “as a result” to link ideas, showing how each point relates to the others. These linguistic bridges help your audience follow your thought process.
Consistent Themes: Stick to a single topic or line of reasoning. If you introduce new ideas, ensure they’re relevant to your central theme and contribute to your overall message.
Repetition for Clarity: Reinforce central ideas by repeating them differently throughout your communication. This repetition solidifies the concepts and ties various points together.
Conclude Effectively: Summarize your main points towards the end, ensuring that the conclusion reflects and encapsulates the content’s essence. This recap solidifies the coherence of your message.
Review and Revise: Especially in written communication, take the time to review and revise your content. Look for any breaks in logic or structure and adjust as needed to maintain a coherent flow.

Coherence is the glue that holds your message together, ensuring it unfolds with logic, clarity, and impact. By integrating these strategies, you can elevate your communication, making your interactions understandable but also persuasive and compelling.

Consistency

Advancing to the fourth C of the 7 C’s of Communication, we encounter “Consistency,” the stabilizing force in your communication arsenal. Consistency in communication means that your messages are harmonious and free from contradiction, maintaining a steady tone, style, and perspective. This uniformity is crucial in building professional credibility, as it reassures your audience of your reliability and trustworthiness.

Imagine a company claiming to be eco-friendly yet found to engage in environmentally harmful practices. Or think of a manager who sets strict deadlines but habitually misses their own. These inconsistencies can erode trust, contribute to a loss of respect, and ultimately harm the individual’s or organization’s reputation.

In the realm of constant information exchange, maintaining consistency can be challenging but not unattainable. Here are tips to help ensure your communication remains consistent:

Establish Standards: Develop guidelines for your communication, including tone, terminology, and style. Adhere to these in all your interactions, ensuring uniformity in your messaging.
Stay True to Your Word: If you make promises or commitments, follow through on them. Consistency between your words and actions is paramount in building trust.
Regular Updates: Keep your audience informed, especially if the information is critical. This practice shows that you consistently keep others informed and value transparency.
Unified Messaging Across Platforms: Whether you communicate via email, social media, or company memos, ensure your message remains consistent. Mixed messages across different platforms can lead to confusion and doubt.
Seek Feedback: Encourage your audience to provide feedback on your communication. This input can highlight areas of inconsistency you may have overlooked.
Reflect and Adjust: Regularly review your past communications, reflecting on the consistency of your messages. If you find discrepancies, don’t hesitate to clarify them in future communications.

Consistency is more than a communication strategy; it’s a testament to your professional integrity. By maintaining consistency, you reinforce your position as a reliable, credible source of information, fostering a sense of security and trust in your professional relationships.

Completeness

The 7 C's of Communication - illustration of two men and a women sitting having a conversation

The perils of incomplete communication are evident in everyday professional scenarios. For instance, if a manager assigns a task without clear deadlines, specific guidelines, or resources, the team is left in a quandary, unsure of how to proceed, leading to delays, mistakes, and potential conflicts. The lack of completeness can derail projects, strain relationships, and result in missed opportunities.

It is crucial to aim for thoroughness in all forms of communication to avoid any potential issues. Here are guidelines to ensure your messages are comprehensive:

5W1H Method: Before sending a message, check if it answers the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How . If your message addresses these, it’s likely complete.
Provide Specifics: Vague statements can lead to misunderstandings. Be specific about tasks, expectations, and outcomes.
Anticipate Questions: Try to foresee any questions the recipient might have and address them in your initial communication.
Clear Call-to-Action: If you expect the recipient to take action, state this. Make sure to state tasks, decisions, and email replies explicitly.
Encourage Follow-ups: Let recipients know they can ask questions or seek clarification. This open-door policy can help prevent misunderstandings.
Double-check for Clarity: Review your message before sending. Ensure it’s not only complete but also clear and free of assumptions.
Consistent Updates: If the situation evolves, provide updates to keep everyone’s understanding complete. Don’t leave them relying on outdated information.

By ensuring completeness, you not only convey respect for others’ need for information but also empower them with the knowledge necessary to respond or act effectively. This thoroughness is fundamental in building a collaborative professional environment where everyone can operate with confidence and clarity.

As we approach the sixth C, we touch upon “Courtesy,” which often seems simple but holds immense power in professional communication. Courtesy refers to using polite, respectful, and considerate language and behavior in your interactions. It’s the difference between building bridges or walls between you and your audience, whether they are your colleagues, employees, or clients.

The absence of courtesy in communication can have detrimental effects. Imagine a work environment where emails are curt, feedback is harsh, and no one bothers with the basic niceties. This discourtesy can create a toxic atmosphere, leading to decreased morale, increased stress, and a lack of cooperation among team members. It can harm professional relationships, hinder productivity, and even lead to valuable employees leaving the company.

In contrast, courteous communication fosters a positive environment, encourages open dialogue, and builds a culture of respect. Here are ways to ensure you’re consistently courteous in your professional interactions:

Use Polite Language: Simple words like “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome” can make a significant difference. They show that you do not take others’ efforts or time for granted.
Listen Actively: Show respect by listening intently ( active listening ) to what others are saying without interrupting. This shows that you value their opinions and contributions.
Empathize: Try to understand situations from others’ perspectives. Empathy can guide you to respond more thoughtfully and respectfully.
Avoid Negative Language: When faced with challenges or disagreements, choose your words carefully. Avoid language that is aggressive, accusatory, or defamatory.
Respect Privacy: Be discreet with sensitive information. If someone confides in you, maintain their trust by not divulging private information.
Be Punctual: Whether it’s for meetings or deadlines, being on time is a sign of respect for others’ time.
Acknowledge and Apologize for Mistakes: If you’ve made an error, admit it, apologize, and make amends. This honesty shows a high level of professionalism and respect for those affected.
Provide Constructive Feedback: When giving feedback, be honest but also kind and encouraging. Focus on improvements rather than just pointing out faults.

Courtesy in communication is like oil in a machine, facilitating smooth, frictionless interactions. It’s not just about being polite but also about showing genuine respect, kindness, and consideration, qualities that can enhance your professional image, strengthen relationships, and build a positive work atmosphere.

Concreteness

The 7 C's of Communication - illustration of two men and a woman business professionals standing and conversing.

The pitfalls of vague messaging are numerous and significant. For instance, a manager telling their team to “try to get better results” without specifying what “better” means or how to achieve it can lead to confusion, misdirection, and inconsistent efforts. From the start, unclear targets lead to employee floundering, misallocated resources, and elusive results.

Conversely, concrete communication sets clear expectations, crucial for effective performance and consistent outcomes. Here’s how you can incorporate concreteness in your communications:

Use Specifics: Instead of saying, “Sales are better,” say, “Sales have increased by 15% compared to the previous quarter.” Providing specific data gives a clearer picture and helps in setting definite goals.
Provide Examples: Concrete examples help to clarify messages. If you want high-quality reports, provide a sample report as a standard reference.
Incorporate Facts and Figures: Numbers are concrete and provide solid criteria. They remove ambiguities and give clear targets to aim for.
Use Clear, Direct Language: Avoid jargon and generalizations. Say precisely what you mean to prevent misunderstandings.
Visual Aids: Graphs, charts, and images can convey concrete information quickly and clearly, helping to illustrate your points and make them tangible.
Follow-Up: After a meeting or discussion, send a summary of the key points and decisions made to all participants. This recap solidifies the concrete elements and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Encourage Questions: Allow room for queries. If someone is uncertain about a topic, asking questions can provide more specific and clear information. It can lead to a better understanding of the subject matter.

Concreteness strengthens your communication, eliminating guesswork and ambiguity. By being precise and clear, you set a firm foundation for efficient operations, accurate expectations, and effective decision-making, which are critical components in successful professional interactions.

As we draw this discourse to a close, we must revisit the invaluable principles we’ve unpacked, known as the 7 Cs of Communication. These tenets— Clearness, Conciseness, Coherence, Consistency, Completeness, Courtesy, and Concreteness —form the backbone of effective and impactful communication in the professional sphere. They’re not just guidelines but vital tools that, when employed, can steer conversations, presentations, and written communications toward success and understanding.

In the bustling corridors of today’s business environments, the significance of these principles cannot be overstated. They help in cutting through the noise, delivering messages that resonate, fostering healthy professional relationships, and paving the way for collaborative success. Whether it’s the clarity that eliminates misunderstandings, the conciseness that respects others’ time, the coherence that provides flow, the consistency that builds trust, the completeness that ensures informed decision-making, the courtesy that fosters a positive environment, or the concreteness that clarifies expectations, each component plays a crucial role in shaping effective communication.

However, understanding these principles is just the starting point. The real journey begins with introspection and practice. Assess your communication style, identify areas for improvement, and consciously implement these principles in your daily interactions. It’s a continuous learning process, one that demands patience and persistence.

And now, we turn the floor over to you, our readers. We invite you to reflect on your experiences with the 7 Cs of Communication. Are there instances where these principles were a game-changer for you? Or perhaps situations where a lack of adherence to these principles led to challenges? Maybe you have insights on better integrating these principles into your professional life.

Please share your thoughts, experiences, and insights in the comments below. Let’s turn this into a learning platform rich with real-life scenarios and solutions, fostering a community where we all grow and refine our communication skills together. Remember, mastering communication is an ongoing journey, and every step, every insight, and every shared experience propels us further along this path.

The 7 C’s of Communication Examples

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The 7 cs of communication | what other articles don’t tell you.

Spoiler. The 7 Cs of communication are flawed. Everywhere in business, you see formulas and rules for how to talk to people for effective business outcomes.

The 7 Cs of communication (developed in the 50’s) are another attempt in a long line of tactics to improve your communication and have a clear flow of information between people.

But they’re flawed, or at best incomplete.

In this article, we’ll get back to the true basics of communication, and give you a framework to do it simply and clearly.

The 7 Cs of Communication

Before going any further, it’s crucial to have a good understanding of the 7Cs of communication. Let’s take a look at each one specifically and provide some examples for better clarity (check out this article for more info on the 7Cs of communication with examples ).

The Most Crucial of the 7cs of Communication: Clear

Clear communication is essential for ensuring that your message is understood by your audience. This means using simple, direct language and avoiding jargon or technical terms. Additionally, it’s important to consider the context of the communication and tailor your message accordingly.

Being concise is about being clear, brief and to the point. A concise message is easy to understand, and it saves time for the listener and the speaker. By cutting out unnecessary words, you increase the chances of your message being understood and remembered.

Being concrete is about providing specific examples and evidence to support your message. This helps to make your message more convincing and memorable. It also allows your audience to visualize and understand your message more easily.

Correct communication refers to being accurate and reliable in the information you provide. It’s also important to use appropriate language, grammar and punctuation. By providing accurate information, you build trust with your audience.

Being coherent is about making sure your message is logical and easy to follow. This means organizing your thoughts in a clear and logical order and using transitions to link ideas together. A coherent message is easy to understand and follow.

Complete communication is about providing all the information necessary for your audience to understand and act on your message. It’s important to consider the purpose of the communication and what information is needed to achieve that purpose.

Courteous communication means being respectful and considerate of your audience. It’s important to consider the tone of your message, as well as your body language and facial expressions. Being courteous helps to build rapport and positive relationships.

Where The 7 Cs of Communication Fail

We should never overlook the importance of 7cs of communication (for a more in-depth analysis, check out this 7 Cs of communication pdf ). Looking at this list, we conclude there are a lot of important principles we should have into consideration for our written & spoken communication.

However, it’s missing a huge section on how the transfer of information actually works. This is the most difficult part of business communication and is what we’ll explore further in the rest of the article.

What is Effective Communication?

“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.” – Sydney J. Harris

Effective communication is when the information or picture in one person’s mind is being accurately transferred to another’s. That’s it. The question that answers whether communication has occurred is: do you have a shared understanding?

Communicating your idea doesn’t mean the other party necessarily agrees with you. This is not of any relevance whatsoever. The only measure of success is that you both agree on the facts of what you are talking about.

This is the first place where the 7 Cs falls down. Sure, you can use all of them in communication. However, maybe the person you’re on a conference call with doesn’t speak very good English, or the line is unclear.

In this case, unless you check their understanding, it’s highly likely that your clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous message wasn’t received.

Effective communication is a two-way street.

It’s only when you verify the other person’s understanding of what you’re talking about, that you can know whether you’ve succeeded.

Some great phrases for doing this are:

“When I say X, what does that mean to you?”

“Would you mind telling me, in your own words, your understanding of what we’ve just discussed?”

Once you start using these phrases, you’ll be amazed at how often your conversation partner has misunderstood you. Often this comes down to having a different set of base assumptions, or a different understanding of what specific words mean.

The Two Components of Communication

The 7cs of communication don't include Non verbal communication

Communication is 70 – 93% non-verbal. This means that between 30% to just 7% of the meaning people receive from you comes from the words you use. The rest arrives via tone and body language.

The 7Cs of business communication completely ignore the majority of how humans gather meaning from each other. This is a weakness of most communication systems. They focus on the words you choose and ignore how they’re delivered.

The Importance Of Non-Verbal Communication

“It’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it.” – Nicholas Boothman

We’ve probably all experienced saying something seemingly innocuous to a partner or family member, and they hit the roof. (Or maybe you’ve been the one who blows a gasket.)

When you’re left open-mouthed wondering ‘where did that come from?’ the most likely answer is your tone. It’s very common for us all to use an unintended tone in communications , especially when the subject is difficult, or we’re trying to avoid conflict.

Passive-aggressive tones can be entirely unconscious, but they can trigger all sorts of unwanted emotional reactions from your audience. Being able to adopt a neutral, natural tone, especially in a situation when tensions are running high, is one of the most useful verbal communication tools out there.

The same goes for gaining control of verbal tics, and unconscious facial expressions, which are far more powerful in communication than we think.

Mastering Natural Tone Through Feedback

In the ABA communication workshop, participants partner up and practice delivering simple statements in a natural and neutral tone.

Each person delivering the statement receives feedback on how it sounded to the recipient. This is very revealing.

People are often astonished to find their statements came across to the listener completely differently from how they believed they’d said them. This is the kind of skill that gets better with practice, and feedback is a vital part of this process.

When someone is very skilled at this, they can deliver what could be highly confrontational statements in a neutral, natural tone. This has the effect of allowing the words to provide the meaning, instead of the tone adding tension and escalating conflict.

Body Language

There are several parts to body language. This often ignored part of communication plays a huge part in the conveying of meaning.

Your stance: whether you’re relaxed, hunched over, tense, or slouched, all these postures give a lot of information to your listener about your mood. These will colour your listeners’ perception of the words you say.

Facial Expressions

The study of micro-expressions has gained popularity over the years. These tiny expressions reveal your true thoughts and emotions about what you are saying, or listening to. Humans unconsciously pick up on these expressions and will believe what you say based on this rather than the actual words you’ve used.

Eye contact

Eye contact is a balance in communication. Too much, and you look like a psychopath, too little, and you look shifty. The right balance comes down to practice. However, you can often make more eye contact than you think.

Hand Gestures

Politicians and experienced speakers often get coached on how to use hand gestures to make a point. If you haven’t ever thought about your hand gestures when you speak, be aware that they will often say a lot more than you think about your state of mind.

Becoming aware of how you use your hands when you talk will open up a whole other communication channel. Body language is often picked up at the subconscious level by the listener, and it will either reinforce or undermine what you are saying.

Utilise both non-verbal communication and the 7cs of communication

Summary: The 7 Cs of communication

While the 7 Cs of Communication are a good start, they are by no means a complete guide on how to optimize your communication. Applying consideration in 7Cs of communication is essential to remain relevant in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving society.

By reevaluating and updating our communication skills, we can ensure that we are keeping up and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of communication.

It is important to remember that communication is a dynamic and fluid process, and principles that were useful in the past may not be suitable for the present and future.

ABA runs several workshops focusing on how to communicate using non-verbal and verbal means, focusing on tone of voice, body language, and facial expression.

Communication is a skill that enables and enhances every other aspect of your life. Mastering this skill will open doors in all areas of your life.

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The 7 Cs of Communication Explained With Examples

By Denise Doherty Categories: People & Society October 19, 2022, 11:28 AM

The 7 Cs of communication can be applied to oral and written forms of speech and are designed to maximize the efficacy of our interactions. Learn more here.

The seven Cs of communication are: clear, correct, complete, concrete, concise, considerate/courteous, and coherent. They were first described in the 1952 book, Effective Public Relations , by University of Wisconsin professors Scott Cutlip and Allen Center. Since then, this approach has been used across the globe in personal and professional settings to maximize the effectiveness of our communications and interactions.

The 7 Cs of communication have been used successfully for 70 years because communicating isn’t always straightforward and by implementing these seven steps, we can make it better. These principles can make it easier for us to do things like set boundaries at work or in our relationships, communicate our needs or how we feel, and deliver information the way we intended to. Communication skills apply to a huge variety of human interactions and the principles of the 7 Cs of communication can be applied to them all.

Why Should We Use The 7 Cs of Effective Communication?

Poor communication which does not encompass the 7 Cs of effective communication can negatively impact a huge array of our professional and personal dynamics. Financially, it is estimated to cost businesses over a trillion dollars every year. Other statistics suggest that 86 percent of workplace employees and executives blame ineffective communication and collaboration as primary causes for failures in the work setting.

In healthcare, poor communication can have devastating effects and even lead to life-threatening events. According to the Brookings Institute in Washington, bad communication is also at the core of American health inequalities — and is a failing of the health system, not of patients. Suffice it to say, the 7 Cs of communication in professional settings can be the difference between success and failure, equality and inequality, and even life and death.

Most of us have experienced the impacts of ineffective communication at various points in our personal lives too. These negative interactions can be stressful and impact our mental well-being during and after the event. How we communicate will have a major effect on all our relationships. Studies show that the quality of couples’ communication can predict long-term satisfaction within the relationship.

In order to be completely vulnerable and authentic with one another, and reduce conflict and anxiety, it’s important to build…

Effective communication involves exchanging ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose. When we communicate effectively, both the sender and receiver feel satisfied. Using the 7 Cs of effective communication will therefore enhance all of our relationships , both personal and professional. So, let’s take a look at each one and how we can use them to improve our own communication skills.

The 7 Cs of Effective Communication

When communicating something, clarity is vital if we want the other party to completely understand. It’s important to be clear about the purpose of the message and why the recipient is receiving it. Keeping the language simple can help reduce ambiguity. Present one aspect or part of the message at a time.

This C of effective communication involves making sure the information being exchanged is correct and truthful. Provide sources or examples if appropriate and always fact-check before communicating something. If your communication is written, ensure that your format, referencing and grammar are also correct. Proofread your message for errors before sending it.

3. Complete

Complete communication involves delivering all of the information necessary . The other party should have a clear picture of everything they need to know in order to understand accurately and respond appropriately. A complete message should not leave room for questions or queries.

4. Concrete

Make sure the message or explanation is factual. Try to find the balance between too much or too little detail and use props like pictures, graphs, or data if appropriate. Emphasize your main focus points to keep the message concrete.

Knowing the listening types helps us understand different learning and communication styles. Here, we’ll discuss what listening types are and…

Keep to the point! Short and simple will promote a concise communication experience for all parties. Don’t use unnecessary words or add information for the sake of it. Make your points individually and don’t repeat the same point in different ways.

6. Considerate/Courteous

Empathy is at the heart of considerate communication and the difference between a clear message and a blunt or abrupt one. Try to put yourself in the shoes of the recipient and take their feelings and situation into account. Consider how the message might impact them and how they are likely to respond to what is being communicated. Effective communication should always be polite and friendly communication generally generates more welcome responses. The level of formality required will depend on the situation.

7. Coherent

Organize the points you want to make in a logical, chronological, or systematic order . Try to connect your points to maintain flow, but without adding unnecessary information. Again, if you are communicating in writing — format and structure your message appropriately.

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The 7 C’s Of Communication

Do you remember the last time your manager didn’t approve your leave or your client did not come on board…

Do you remember the last time your manager didn’t approve your leave or your client did not come on board the project you were presenting? Have you ever thought about why that happened?

One major reason why we may not be able to persuade someone to see our point of view is our lack of proper communication skills. This is where the seven C’s of communication come into play. They will help you persuade and make people see your point or agree with you on a certain subject.

What Are The 7 C’s Of Effective Communication?

The 7 c’s of communication with examples.

Following the 7 C’s of communication is a way to ensure effective business communication . Harappa Education’s Speaking Effectively course can make your communication effective, clear, and concise so you can succeed at work. You can use the Pyramid Principle to structure your ideas for more effective communication. The Pyramid Principle says that you should state the most important thing first and then back it with supporting arguments.

Speech, both in personal and professional life, holds immense power. It can persuade, convert, and compel. Here, we explain the 7 C’s of communication with examples for you.

Completeness

Sometimes we may start talking in English even with a person who may not be well-versed with the language. This scenario is quite common in day-to-day life. Also, as a conversation flows, we tend to jump from one topic to another, leaving each message incomplete.

When you are communicating with someone, your message should be complete and supported with facts and explanations.

Concreteness

Remember the Knock app that came a few years ago? The company said it all with the tagline, ‘Unlock your Mac by knocking your iPhone’.

Precise and concrete messages mean more effective interaction with your audience. Avoid ambiguity in your messages to help your audience understand your point easily.

While you are crafting your message, make sure you consider the feelings and points of view of the receiver. After all, the success of your speech will be judged on how much your listener has understood.

Do you often get lost in the flow of conversation and stretch it longer than necessary?

Keep the message, impactful, short, and simple for the receiver to understand it clearly. It is important that the message be concise yet complete.

Consideration

Have you ever attended an event or a business meeting where you feel bored or left out? The strength of a powerful speaker or communicator is that she relates to his audience and makes them feel involved.

Professional knowledge, the level of education, and interests play an important role in helping you relate to your audience and convey the proper message.

Correctness

You should always run a fact check on your presentation. If the points you present are game-changing but are based on incorrect facts, they won’t have the required impact.

For instance, fake messages going viral on social media platforms have, at times, led to panic in society.

No matter what subject, language, or medium you choose, it’s essential that the message you convey is correct. Along with the correct facts, you must also ensure correct spelling and grammar.

Even if you follow all the C’s of communication mentioned above, your message will not make a strong impact if it’s unclear.

Make sure you keep your message short and clear so that it has a lasting impact on the listeners.

Mark the seven C’s of Communication in your skill-learning to-do list as they will take you a long way. Head straight to Harappa Education’s Speaking Effectively and Writing Proficiently courses to improve your oral and written communication skills.

Explore blogs on topics such as the process of communication , the elements of communication , what is grapevine communication , the channels of communication , and the levels of communication in our Harappa Diaries section and learn how to deliver information effectively.

The 7 C’s of Communication

The seven C’s of communication is a list of principles for written and spoken communications to ensure that they are effective. The seven C’s are: clear, correct, complete, concrete, concise, considered and courteous. Summary by The World of Work Project

You can learn more broadly about communication in our podcast on the subject.

The seven C’s of communication is a list of principles that you should ensure all of your communications adhere to. Their purpose is to help ensure that the person you’re communicating with hears what you’re trying to say. The seven C’s are: clear, correct, complete, concrete, concise, considered and courteous.

There are several stages to clarity.

Firstly, it’s important to be clear about the purpose of the message you’re delivering. The recipient should be made aware of why they are receiving the message and what you’re trying to achieve by delivering it. If there are multiple goals, each should be laid out separately.

Secondly, it’s essential that the content of the communication is itself clear. You should avoid jargon, use simple language, use simple structures and focus on the core points of your message.

It’s essential that both the factual information and the language and grammar you use are correct. If your audience spots errors in either, they will be distracted and your credibility will be greatly reduced. This will reduce the effectiveness of your communication.

Completeness is often one of the most important of the 7 Cs of communication.

When creating a message, it’s important to give the recipient all of the information they need to follow your line of reasoning and to reach the same conclusions you have. This level of detail will be different in different situations, and you should adjust your communications accordingly.

In addition, you should make things as easy as possible for the recipient. For example, if you are issuing a “call to action”, provide explicit guidance on that action. Increasingly it’s common to include things like hyperlinks in written communications or to attach FAQs, both of which help audiences access a complete set of information while also ensuring that core communications focus on core messages.

When shaping your communication you must ensure that you are specific and that the logic and messages that you’re using fit together, build on each other and support each other. Your arguments should be based on solid facts and opinions from credible sources and you should share irrefutable data to support your argument.

It may be important to help bring the solid nature of what you’ve created to life for your audience through examples that show the relevance of your messages for them as individuals.

When communicating messages of this nature it’s important to stick to the point and keep your messages short and simple. Don’t use 10 words if you can use five. Don’t repeat your messages.

The more you say, the more risk there is of confusion. Avoid that risk by focusing solely on the key points you need to deliver.

You can increase the effectiveness of your communications by being polite and showing your audience that you respect them. Your messages should be friendly, professional, considerate, respectful, open and honest.

To help ensure you are courteous, you should always use some empathy and consider your messages from the point of view of the audience.

Considered & Coherent

The last of the 7 Cs of communication is considered or coherent. If your communications are not coherent they will not be effective. To help make sure your communications are considered and coherent you should have a logical flow and your style, tone and language should be consistent throughout.

In addition to making sure that each communication you issue is coherent within itself, you should also ensure consistency of message when delivering multiple communications.

Learning More

To learn more broadly about communication, consider reading our 10 Tips for Effective Presentations . You might also enjoy our posts on Becoming a Better Listener , the Rhetorical Triangle , Feedback and tone of voice and body language .

Communication has an important role to play in motivation , which is a key skill for leaders and managers. You might enjoy learning more about motivation in our podcast introducing the topic:

The World of Work Project View

The seven C’s of communication form a useful checklist for when you want to convey a message or a set of information to an audience.

They are, however, less useful for more emotive, persuasive and rhetorically anchored communications. Their focus on detail, concision and clarity help ensure that your audience understands the key points of what you want to say, but provides little guidance on how to emotionally engage with your audience.

We think the 7 C’s are a useful tool for written and spoken communication in many instances. We think they’re particularly suited to email communications whose purpose is to keep people informed, or to one on one communications which are fairly transactional in nature.

If, though, you’re looking to persuade an audience, lead people through change or win hearts and minds, we recommend you use a different approach to communication such as focusing on the 5 Canons of Rhetoric , Story Telling or Monroe’s Motivated Sequence .

When we work with clients or deliver seminars that cover communication, we often focus on the power of connecting with and understanding other people, and being understood. This side of communication is important for high performing teams.

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Learning more about who we are and what we do it easy: To hear from us, please join our mailing list . To ask about how we can help you or your organization, please contact us . To explore topics we care about, listen to our podcast . To attend a free seminar, please check out our eventbrite page .

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The seven cs of effective communication.

Helping teachers talk to parents about A2 Key for Schools, B1 Preliminary for Schools and B2 First for Schools

When we think of the people involved in teaching and learning, we tend to think of the teachers and the learners. Yet, in the context of young learner and teenage education this leaves out a very important stakeholder – the parents or carers!

Parents have a very keen interest in what happens with the learning of the children in their care. As a teacher, having open and constructive channels of communication with parents is essential. Having an effective strategy to bring them into the classroom and the learning process is very often the key to success.

Follow our seven-point checklist when you plan, write and revise your communications. It will help you explain to parents exactly what you need them to know so they become your partners in their child’s learning journey.

It is important to be clear about our aim and message when we are communicating with someone. Clear communication explains complicated ideas in ways that you can understand using simple and familiar language. It leaves no doubts or ambiguity about the purpose of the communication.

Tip: Start with a list of the things that you need parents to know, agree to or understand. Then eliminate anything on the list that you think they will not be familiar with. Do they know what ‘communicative competence’ or ‘B1 on the CEFR’ mean? Probably not … so don’t include it!

2. Concrete

Once you have removed jargon, how do you fill in the gaps? Good communication is essential: your challenge is to find a new way to say these things that gives a clear and specific picture. An explanation can help, but an image or a comparison is even better!

Tip: Imagine that learners are football players – we want them to know the rules of the game, but we are not interested in how well they can recite them. Instead, we want to see how they use them in a real match, and how they can use them to solve the problems they face on the pitch. That is what we call competence.

Stick to the point. Be brief. This shows respect for our audience (you appreciate that their time is valuable), but it also helps to keep us clear and precise.

A good example of concise information is the Can Do statements that we use to describe learner competence. When we say that a B1 Preliminary candidate ‘CAN understand routine information and articles’ and ‘CAN understand straightforward instructions or public announcements’ we create a simple image.

Tip: The descriptors in our handbooks for teachers will give you plenty of examples ready for when you talk to parents about what their child CAN do at each level. Search to find all our resources for teachers .

4. Considerate

Tone and register are important. Too formal and you will come across as distant and unapproachable; too casual and you will not sound professional. Consider the age, style and expectations of the parents – look at yourself through their eyes and meet their expectations.

Tip: Imagine what the parents will ask you about their child’s progress and prepare what you are going to say. You could use the results of homework or practice tests to show parents how their child is progressing and that they are ready to take an exam.

5. Coherent

Coherent communication is about being logical and effective. A good argument must feel like the shortest, easiest line from idea A to idea B – no detours and no gaps. If you are talking about why taking an exam at the end of a course is important, be sure that all your points are connected and relevant to your main argument.

Tip: For example, you could structure your points as follows: ‘The national curriculum says that by the end of secondary school learners should reach a B2 level of English. It is very important for the school and the families to feel confident that our students are on track to meet that very important goal. Taking a Cambridge English Qualification is an excellent way to increase their confidence. We recommend that your child takes A2 Key for Schools and B1 Preliminary for Schools at the end of years 2 and 4.’

Correct communication is appropriate and error free – especially in writing. This includes proofreading, but also making sure that any details (such as names of exams, dates and addresses) are correct and consistent throughout your message.

Tip: It helps to have a second, fresh pair of eyes. Ask a colleague who does not know what you are trying to communicate to read the message, highlight any issues and then explain it back to you. If they can do it, then the parents can too!

7. Complete

Good communication will tell parents everything that they need to know, and also what they are expected to do next. Have you ticked all the items on the list in the tip in the first point? If you need parents to do something, did you mention exactly what it is?

Tip: Remember the Rule of Three. No message is complete unless you have mentioned the main ideas three times: once at the introduction (‘I am going to tell you about B1 Preliminary’), then in the development (‘This is what you need to know about B1 Preliminary’) and once more at the end (‘Now that you know this about B1 Preliminary, remember to …’).

Learn more about how you can talk to parents about their child’s progress in our recent webinar for teachers by Pablo Toledo.

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Find lots more support and resources about talking to parents about Cambridge English Qualifications .

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Seven C’s of Effective Communication

There are 7 C’s of effective communication which are applicable to both written as well as oral communication. These are as follows:

Awareness of these 7 C’s of communication makes you an effective communicator.

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Authorship/Referencing - About the Author(s)

The article is Written and Reviewed by Management Study Guide Content Team . MSG Content Team comprises experienced Faculty Member, Professionals and Subject Matter Experts. We are a ISO 2001:2015 Certified Education Provider . To Know more, click on About Us . The use of this material is free for learning and education purpose. Please reference authorship of content used, including link(s) to ManagementStudyGuide.com and the content page url.

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7 Cs of Communication

In this article:

The 7 Cs of communication is a checklist we can use to ensure that we are communicating effectively.

Communication is a core part of the experience of being human. But because we learn to communicate in childhood many of us never revisit the topic and learn the communication skills needed for really effective communication.

Why is this important?

A classic and all too common misunderstanding in an organizational context is illustrated by the following example.

Micha askes Mike to produce a report showing the sales figures for the year. Mike then produces the report showing the figures from January 1st to the current date. However, this isn’t quite what Micha wanted. What Micha actually wanted was the sales figures for the past 12 months.

This misunderstanding between Micha and Mike means Micha now has to speak with Mike again to explain what she really wanted. It also means Mike has extra work to do as he needs to revisit and redo his report.

Though effective communication you can avoid misunderstandings. Avoiding misunderstandings saves you time.

Thus, you can give your productivity a huge boost by sharpening up your communication skills to reduce misunderstandings.

The 7 Cs of Effective Communication

Begin every message by asking the question, “What is the purpose of this communication?”. This will enable you to make the objective of your communication clear to the recipient.

If you’re not sure what the purpose of your communication is, then the chances are that your recipient won’t be either.

Why use 10 sentences to explain something when a single sentence will suffice.

Although we are trying to be concise, it is important to remember that we are not trying to lose completeness.

3. Concrete

Incorrect information doesn’t help anyone and it does your credibility no good. Ensure that:

5. Coherent

To ensure that your communication is coherent:

6. Complete

Your message must contain all the necessary information to achieve the desired response.

7. Courteous

Be polite. You’re more likely to get what you want from your communication if you are courteous, as courtesy builds goodwill.

Using The 7 Cs of Communication

The 7 Cs of Effective Communication is essentially a checklist which can help us communicate more effectively.

Cite this article

Minute Tools Content Team, 7 Cs of Communication, Minute Tools, Apr, 2018 https://expertprogrammanagement.com/2018/04/7-cs-communication/

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Practical Explanation of 7Cs of Communication with Examples

“Communication works for those who work at it” John Powell

In every sphere of life ranging from personal relationships to highly complex strategic business planning, communication will always be more significant than we will ever know. Whenever we communicate with someone, we have an intended purpose behind it that we seek to fulfill via communication. In simpler words, all kinds of communication written or verbal have specific objectives. We want the recipient to clearly understand our message with no room for any misconceptions or misinterpretations.

Introduction

Correctness

Completeness, concreteness, consideration.

Otherwise, we may have to convey the same message over and over again and the outcome will be negatively affected. In fact, all of us have first-hand experiences of how miscommunication and communication gaps can affect our lives drastically. Quite relatable, isn’t it? Having said that, we need to ensure that we are always communicating in an effective manner to establish utmost understanding or call to action. We need to embrace effective communication both in our personal and professional lives to drive positive outcomes.

The real question is, what does it take to communicate in a decisive and conclusive manner? What are the dimensions of efficient communication? Is there a checklist we need to be looking at while communicating? Yes, there surely is and this checklist is referred to as the 7Cs of communication. This article analyzes each of these 7 components of communication in detail for lucid understanding so that you can enhance your communication skills in an amazing way. So, let us get underway without any further delay and know exactly what are the 7Cs of communication with example.

7 Cs of Communication: All that you need to know

Listed below are the 7 most crucial traits of effective communication that hold the key to being a charismatic communicator who can lead the way for others. Let’s unwrap the 7Cs of effective communication one by one.

This dimension of communication is self-explanatory to a great extent, isn’t it? When you communicate a message to others whether in writing or verbally, the message must carry maximal clarity. To explain, the recipient must be clearly able to understand what you are trying to convey to them.

Unless there is utmost clarity, the recipient’s understanding will remain overshadowed by confusion. Further, these misunderstandings can lead to strains in personal relationships, ineffective business decisions, delays in planning or taking the right action. Having said that, you need to ensure that your message contains the greatest amount of clarity in terms of purpose, information, and what you expect from the recipient.

Example depicting the importance of clarity in communication: Let’s say the change leaders in an organization want to integrate automation into the operational capabilities of the company. Now, to get stakeholders involved in change management, they will need to clearly communicate the vision to employees. Here, it is important that they clearly explain to employees that automation is meant to boost employee productivity and not to replace employees. If this message is not clearly communicated, it will lead to large disengagement among employees and fears of job loss.

The second key trait of effective communication is correctness. As the term implies, the message should be conveyed to the recipient inclusive of the correct details and information. Besides, for optimized correctness, as a communicator, you also need to use the appropriate language while communicating your message. Also, it is such a key thing to communicate the right thing at the right time. Hence, it is also essential to remember that correct communication also ought to be well-timed.

Furthermore, it is also noteworthy that when you communicate correctly, your confidence and motivation get a great boost. You feel more accomplished as a communicator when you have the knack for driving a high degree of correctness in your communications.

Example depicting the importance of correctness in communication: Let’s say a student from China is applying to a Master’s program in the US for which the student needs to submit an SOP to the admission committee of a US university. SOP (Statement of Purpose) is the communication of a student’s personality and exposure to the admissions committee in the form of an essay usually. Now, the information that the student is adding to the SOP with respect to skills, internship experiences, and educational background has to be completely correct. Otherwise, the members of the admission committee would not clearly understand how the students’ skills and experiences are aligned with the course that he or she is applying for. Similarly, for every communication written or verbal, being correct is vital.

To be fair, in this highly competitive world, people do not have the time to engage in recurring conversations on the same topic. Thus, you need to ensure that your message contains all the relevant information, details, facts, and figures at once. Needless to say, when messages are communicated in entirety such that they include all the necessary information, they lead to quick decisions, brisk resolution of problems, and positive communication.

On the contrary, communications lacking the prerequisite details will lead to unprecedented delays in actions. So, in your personal as well as professional lives, you should always aim for framing and communicating complete messages with no loopholes.

Example depicting the importance of completeness in communication: Let’s say an analyst at a top MNC is tasked with conducting a PESTLE Analysis for the company to identify key external factors affecting its customer acquisition efforts. A week later, the analyst presents the documented PESTLE analysis to the top management. However, the analysis is not complete as it does not include the industry growth rates, inflation rates, emerging disruptive technologies, and other key details. Hence, the analysis does not offer any decisive insights to the top management as a lot of relevant information is missing.

Communications seem so much more impressive when facts and key details are established firmly with no scope of subjective interpretation. You would any day be more attracted to a communicator who puts forth concrete details rather than the one whose communication has loose ends, isn’t it?

So, the bottom line is that communication ought to be concrete with no room for misunderstandings. Understanding would by default be much greater when facts and figures speak for themselves. Concrete communications appeal more to the recipients and they are impressed by firm arguments. This is something you should surely acknowledge to be a great communicator. The better you align to the 7C’s of communication, the greater the success.

Example depicting the importance of concreteness in communication: Let’s say a management student has to work on a SWOT Analysis assignment. The task of the student is to conduct the SWOT analysis of Hewlett-Packard. Now, to present the analysis in the best possible form, the student should back the findings of the analysis with compelling figures and facts. The student should go through the annual statements of Hewlett-Packard to assess the financial position, the number of employees, and the supplier network of the company. These are the key internal factors that can be looked at as a brand’s strengths. Similarly, to assess the opportunities and threats, the student should look to include key industry trends, customer behavior trends, and statistics to back the arguments. In this way, through the analysis, the student can communicate concrete conclusions to the professor.

The next important thing about effective communication is that messages need to be straightforward, concise, and to the point. Long conversations have become a luxury in contemporary times when people are running against time. People hence subscribe to precise and concise conversations that highlight only the key details. In fact, you can also look at it from the viewpoint of Pareto’s 80-20 Rule . 20 percent of details in every conversation will ultimately account for more than 80 percent of the impact on the recipient.

When you keep it concise, it becomes easier for the recipient to understand the key details of the message. Also, you need to be considerate of the average attention span that humans have. The attention of recipients will be much higher in straightforward conversations while in long conversations elaborating on unnecessary details, the actual message is likely to be lost.

Example depicting the importance of being concise in communication: When you appear for an interview, recruiters are looking for precise details regarding your core competencies and traits. If you rather start elaborating on skills that are not relevant to the position you are applying for, you are not providing the concise information the recruiters are looking for. It is quite possible that by doing so, you can create disinterest among recruiters and that can even cost you the opportunity.

Effective communication is also a lot synonymous with taking the recipients’ perspectives and viewpoints into consideration. The central idea is to make conversation engaging to optimize their impact and to keep the recipients interested. For that, you have to ensure that communication is two-way and you encourage your audience to share their opinions.

Further, when they express their perspectives, you need to show consideration for their mindsets, cultural backgrounds, and preferences. You may or may not agree with them but you can surely be considerate enough.

Example depicting the importance of consideration in communication: Let’s say an employer wants to bring the problem of high client attrition rates to the attention of employees. Rather than just stating the issue and asking the employees to boost efforts, the employer should rather have an inclusive approach and discuss the issue with employees. The employer should consider what employees have to say about the reasons for high client attrition and the possible solutions. In this way, an inclusive conversation can lead to better-informed decisions taking different perspectives into consideration for efficient strategic planning .

The seventh dimension in the 7Cs of communication is that of courtesy. It simply states that communicators need to be courteous toward the feelings and emotions of the recipients that further inspire their viewpoints and thought processes. To add, as a communicator, you should show great respect for your audience and their opinions. When you do so, communications come out to be highly positive and inspire optimism among recipients.

Now you may feel that courtesy can only be expressed in verbal communications as feelings are not really evident in written communications. However, that is not entirely true. Even in written communications, you can rely on the appropriate choice of words and a respectful tone to manifest courtesy.

Example depicting the importance of courtesy in communication: It happens so often that we find ourselves at odds with our parents because of generational differences. What may seem a right choice to us may seem a rather risky decision to them. When we have to convey our choices to them, we need to extend great respect to their feelings and opinions. This is what will encourage them to pay heed to our choices and perspective and offer respect to them in lieu of the respect that we extend. In this way, we can make ourselves better understood to them without offending them or deteriorating the relationship. Makes great sense, isn’t it?

To conclude, communication skills are among the most desirable and worthiest interpersonal skills in this era that depends a lot on knowledge and information sharing. If you can excel as an effective communicator, you will always be able to hold on to a competitive advantage over others when it comes to your career. Besides, even in the context of your personal relationships, being a good communicator will also help you in holding on to your loved ones. For such efficacy in communications, all that you need to do is rely on the 7C’s of communication.

Can the 7Cs of Communication be useful in resolving conflicts and misunderstandings?

Yes, by ensuring clarity, correctness, and completeness, the 7Cs can help in resolving misunderstandings and reducing conflicts.

Can the 7Cs of Communication be used to enhance written communication?

Yes, the 7C principles can improve written communication by making it clear, concise, and coherent, ensuring the message effectively conveys the intended information.

Principles of Business Communication

When your communication is clear, you are able to convey your thoughts more precisely. You will also be able to get the job done and in case of job interviews, you may also be able to land your dream job. As for every form of learning, business communication also has some principles which make your communication more effective. These are known as 7 C’s of communication.

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7 C’s of communication

Principles of business communication

Just imagine if you are working at a place and everyone in the place does not have proper communication skills and as a result, everyone is following their own thoughts. Will that working place be effective? No, it will not be effective, it will be a big mess. That is why is important to learn the 7 C’s of communication. Here are those:

Being concise means being able to convey your messages in shortest possible words. But this doesn’t mean that you provide the information less but articulating in such a possible way that you get to spread the message across everyone and that too in fewer words.

It is a necessity for business communication as this C does not involve the vague words and this the message is clearly sent to everyone. Because of conciseness, you save time as well as you save a lot of costs.

As this C excludes the needless and excessive words it makes the main idea or the message more understandable. For audience also this form is more convenient and appealing.

Clear or clarity is very important in business communication. Through this, you are able to emphasize a specific message or a goal at that time. In a business communication, you cannot achieve too much in one go. That is why you need to clear about your ideas.

Because of clarity, the understanding of ideas becomes easier. As the clarity is achieved for ideas and thoughts, the meaning of the words is enhanced. The message becomes more appropriate and exact.

The understanding of your audience is directly proportional to the correctness of your ideas. Because correct communication of thoughts and ideas is also an error-free form of communication. There are many ways to achieve this correctness in your sentences.

One is through a technical understanding of your thoughts and ideas. Further, the names and titles that you have mentioned should be correct. Because of correctness the confidence level of yours as well as your audience increases. It has more impact.

4. Concrete

Concreteness refers to the idea of being clear and particular. It avoids the basic fuzziness and general in your ideas and thoughts. Concreteness also adds to your confidence level.

Concreteness is supported by figures and facts thus it gives your ideas a boost. As it involves clear words only, it helps in increasing your reputation. There are little to none chances that your message is misinterpreted.

5. Complete

A message or an idea is complete when the audience has everything that they want to be informed. Also, this gives an authority to them to move to call of action.

The complete communication generally involves the call to action, which helps the readers understand what you want to imply to them. It also includes all the facts and figures in the sentences.

Due to complete communication, the reputation is enhanced for an organization. A complete communication also involves additional information whenever or wherever it is required. Thus, it leaves no room for doubt in the mind of the readers and audiences. It also helps in persuading the audience.

6. Courteous

Courtesy is the respect that we show to others and in business communication also it means the same thing. You should show respect to your reader by having courteous communication. The individual while sending the message should be polite, sincere, enthusiastic, and reflective.

Being courteous means that you have taken into consideration the feeling receiver as well as your own. It also shows that you are positive and your focus is on the audience. Courteous messages are not at all biased.

7. Coherent

The messages that you send should be logical and that is why coherent communication is important. The message involves certain ideas and thoughts and thus when they are coherent than only they are able to convey the main idea of the message. All the points that you have mentioned should be relevant to the topic and connected.

Further, the flow and tone of the communication should also be consistent. What does your message imply should be the main focus under the coherent message? When all the above 7 C’s of communication are used, then your message becomes more effective. Practice this more to improve your business communication.

Practice Questions on 7 C’s of communication

Q. Which C makes the message unbiased?

A. Clear B. Concise C. Coherent D. Courteous

Answer: D. Courteous

Q. Which C helps in persuading the audience?

A. Clear B. Concise C. Complete D. Courteous

Answer: C. Complete

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The 7 Cs of Communication

Video transcript.

Learn how to use the 7 Cs to communicate more effectively.

Welcome to Mind Tools' video learning series.

Whether it's writing an email, sending a report, chairing a meeting, or giving a presentation , most of your working day will likely be spent communicating.

So, one of the best ways to boost your productivity is to communicate in the clearest, most effective way possible.

A great tool for this is the 7 Cs of Communication – a seven-point checklist for delivering engaging and effective messages.

The first of the seven Cs is to be clear .

Ask yourself, "What's the purpose of your message?" If you're not sure, the person you're communicating with won't be either.

Make your key messages stand out. Do this by minimizing the number of ideas you talk about in each sentence. One is ideal. You don't want people to have to "read between the lines," as this could lead to misunderstandings .

Second, be concise . Keep it brief, avoid repetition, and delete unnecessary adjectives and "filler words," like "kind of" or "basically."

Third, when your message is concrete , your audience will have a clear picture of what you're telling them.

Detail is important, but not too much. Try to include some "standout" facts, and make sure you have a laser-sharp focus on your key message.

Next, be correct . Double-check for mistakes. When your communications are error-free, they'll look professional and polished.

When something's coherent , it's logical. It means that you've connected all of your points and made them relevant to the key topic. This will also help to keep the tone and flow of your message consistent.

The sixth point on the checklist is complete .

Supply your audience with all the information that it will need to make an informed decision or take action.

If, for instance, you're sending a reminder about a meeting, be specific. Include details of the location, time and purpose. And, ask people to respond!

Lastly, be courteous . This means having a friendly, open, and honest tone, and avoiding hidden insults or a passive-aggressive tone.

Always keep your audience's viewpoint in mind, and show that you empathize and understand its needs.

For further examples of how you can apply the 7 Cs to your communications, read the article that accompanies this video.

Terms from Cutlip, Scott M., Center, Allen H., Broom, Glen M., Effective Public Relations, 8th, 2000. Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., New York, New York. [1]

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7 Cs Of Communication

The 7Cs of communication is a set of guiding principles on effective communication skills in business , moving around seven principles for effective business communication: clear, concise, concrete, correct, complete, coherent, and courteous.

Element	Description
Concept Overview	The 7 Cs of Communication is a framework used to ensure effective and clear communication. It outlines seven essential principles that help individuals and organizations convey messages accurately and comprehensibly. These principles are essential in various communication contexts, from business to personal interactions.
Clarity	Clarity emphasizes the need for a message to be clear, concise, and easily understood by the audience. Messages should avoid ambiguity, jargon, or complex language that can lead to confusion. Clear communication ensures that the intended message is received and comprehended as intended.
Conciseness	Conciseness relates to the idea that communication should be brief and to the point. Irrelevant or excessive details should be omitted, and the message should convey its essence efficiently. Concise communication respects the audience’s time and minimizes the risk of information overload.
Coherence	Coherence emphasizes the importance of logical and organized communication. Messages should follow a logical flow, with ideas or points connected in a meaningful sequence. Incoherent communication can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the message’s intent.
Consistency	Consistency involves maintaining uniformity in communication. The tone, style, and content of messages should align with established norms and standards. Inconsistent communication can create confusion and undermine the credibility of the communicator or organization.
Correctness	Correctness underscores the necessity of accurate and error-free communication. Messages should be free from grammatical errors, factual inaccuracies, or misleading information. Correct communication enhances credibility and trustworthiness.
Consideration	Consideration focuses on the audience’s perspective. Effective communicators consider the needs, interests, and concerns of their audience when crafting messages. This ensures that the message resonates with the audience and addresses their specific needs or questions.
Completeness	Completeness means that messages should contain all necessary information to convey the intended message effectively. Incomplete communication can leave gaps in understanding, prompting the audience to seek clarification or make assumptions.
Implications	The 7 Cs of Communication has several implications for effective communication: – Improved Clarity: Clear and concise communication reduces misunderstandings. – Audience-Centric: Consideration of the audience’s perspective enhances engagement. – Enhanced Credibility: Correct and consistent communication builds trust. – Effective Messaging: Coherent and complete messages ensure the intended message is received.
Benefits	– Clarity: Ensures that messages are easily understood. – Efficiency: Conciseness saves time for both the communicator and the audience. – Engagement: Consideration for the audience’s needs enhances engagement. – Credibility: Correctness and consistency build trust and credibility. – Effectiveness: Coherent and complete messages achieve their intended purpose.
Drawbacks	– Time-Consuming: Applying all 7 Cs may require additional time and effort. – Context Dependency: Some situations may not require all Cs in every message. – Overemphasis: Overemphasizing certain Cs may lead to overly formal or rigid communication. – Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural nuances can impact the interpretation of the Cs.
Use Cases	The 7 Cs of Communication is applicable in various scenarios: – Business Communication: Ensures clear and effective communication in corporate settings. – Marketing and Advertising: Helps craft persuasive and engaging messages. – Public Speaking: Enhances the impact of speeches and presentations. – Written Communication: Improves the clarity of written documents and reports. – Interpersonal Communication: Facilitates effective conversations and discussions.

Table of Contents

Understanding the 7 Cs of communication

Effective communication in business occurs when one party receives a message in a way that it was intended to be heard. But with corporate employees spending up to 30% of work time responding to email alone, communication must be also productive, efficient, and engaging.

To that end, the 7Cs of communication were developed to improve both written and oral communication.

Following is a look at each principle.

Clear . Communication must be clear in the sense that the recipient does not have to seek further clarification on what was said. Here, it’s best to keep things simple. Avoid complex words and do not assume that the recipient has every detail of the story in front of them.
Concise . Brevity is important because it saves time. Avoid using five sentences to communicate something that could be explained in two. Ultimately, conciseness is a balancing act. Employees must get their point across quickly without omitting important details.
Concrete . Concrete communication is specific and logical. Facts must support each other and the premise of the communication itself. Where appropriate, facts in the form of data should also support arguments.
Correct . Ensure that all communication is free of typing and spelling errors. Avoid over-reliance on spell checking tools because they do not catch subtle variations in grammar or word usage. If using technical terms, ensure that the recipient has an adequate grasp of the subject matter.
Complete . Does communication have the required information for the recipient to take action? Indeed, is there a call to action included in the closing remarks?
Coherent . Sentences should flow harmoniously and most importantly, be on topic. Avoid mentioning distracting topics that could easily be addressed in subsequent communication.
Courteous . Manners and politeness go a long way, particularly in high-stress environments common to many businesses. Avoid coming across as demanding or brusque. Instead, opt to communicate with a friendly, professional, respectful, and considerate tone.

Extensions to the 7 Cs of communication

While the original framework is more than sufficient for effective communication, some extensions do exist.

The first is credibility. In other words, does the communication enhance or showcase the credibility of the communicator? This is particularly important for businesses giving presentations or in other scenarios where a business is less acquainted with an interested party.

The second extension is creativity. Creative communication increases engagement and again, can enhance the credibility of a business presenting to an audience.

When to Use the 7 Cs of Communication:

The 7 Cs of Communication can be applied in various communication scenarios:

Written Communication: Use the 7 Cs when composing emails, reports, memos, or any written documents.
Oral Communication: Apply the principles during presentations, speeches, meetings, and conversations.
Advertising and Marketing: Craft advertisements, marketing messages, and promotional materials that adhere to the 7 Cs for maximum impact.
Customer Service: Provide clear and courteous responses to customer inquiries or issues.
Educational Materials: When creating educational content, ensure that it is clear, concise, and complete to facilitate learning.

How to Use the 7 Cs of Communication:

To effectively use the 7 Cs of Communication, follow these guidelines:

Clarity: Use straightforward and unambiguous language. Organize your message logically, and avoid unnecessary complexity.
Conciseness: Get to the point quickly. Eliminate redundant information or irrelevant details that may distract from the main message.
Concreteness: Provide specific examples, data, and evidence to support your message. Avoid vague statements .
Correctness: Proofread and edit your communication to eliminate errors. Use proper grammar and spelling.
Consideration: Think about the needs, concerns, and perspectives of your audience. Tailor your message to address their interests and questions.
Completeness: Ensure that your message contains all the necessary information. Anticipate potential questions or areas of confusion and address them proactively.
Courtesy: Maintain a polite and respectful tone in your communication. Avoid offensive language or tone that may alienate your audience.

Drawbacks and Limitations of the 7 Cs of Communication:

While the 7 Cs of Communication are valuable, they have certain drawbacks and limitations:

Overemphasis on Perfection: Striving for perfection in all seven Cs can be time-consuming and may not always be necessary for every communication.
Audience Variability: Different audiences may have varying expectations and preferences regarding clarity, conciseness, and tone.
Complex Topics: Some topics may require a more in-depth and complex discussion, which may challenge the principle of conciseness.
Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural differences can affect perceptions of courtesy and correctness, making it important to adapt communication to diverse audiences.
Overloading Information: Attempting to include all relevant information can lead to information overload for the audience.

What to Expect from Using the 7 Cs of Communication:

Using the 7 Cs of Communication can lead to several outcomes and benefits:

Clarity and Understanding: Expect your message to be clearer and more easily understood by your audience.
Improved Impact: Effective communication using the 7 Cs principles can have a more significant impact on your audience.
Reduced Miscommunication: By addressing potential sources of confusion and misunderstanding, the 7 Cs help reduce miscommunication.
Enhanced Professionalism: Correctness and courtesy contribute to a more professional image.
Audience Engagement: Considering the needs and interests of your audience can enhance their engagement and receptiveness to your message.

Relevance in Various Contexts:

The 7 Cs of Communication are relevant in various contexts, including:

Business Communication: Employ them in business emails, reports, presentations, and customer interactions.
Academic Writing: Students and researchers can use the 7 Cs to improve the clarity and effectiveness of their academic papers.
Marketing and Advertising: Marketers rely on these principles to create compelling and persuasive marketing messages.
Public Speaking: Public speakers and presenters can use the 7 Cs to engage and inform their audiences effectively.
Interpersonal Communication: In everyday conversations and interactions, applying the 7 Cs can lead to more successful and harmonious communication.

Conclusion:

The 7 Cs of Communication offer a valuable framework for crafting clear, concise, and effective messages across various communication channels and contexts. By adhering to the principles of clarity, conciseness, concreteness, correctness, consideration, completeness, and courtesy, communicators can enhance their ability to convey information, persuade, and engage their audience successfully. While recognizing the limitations and adapting to specific situations is essential, the 7 Cs remain a foundational guide for effective communication in both personal and professional settings.

Case Studies

Business proposal :.

Clear : The proposal must be clear in its description of the investment opportunity , avoiding complex jargon or assumptions. It should ensure that potential investors don’t have to seek further clarification.
Concise : The proposal should be concise, presenting key points and benefits succinctly without unnecessary verbosity. It saves time for both the sender and the recipient.
Concrete : It should provide specific data and logical arguments supporting the investment opportunity , making the proposal more convincing and grounded in facts.
Correct : The proposal must be free of errors, particularly in financial projections, ensuring that the information presented is accurate and reliable.
Complete : It should include all the necessary documentation and information that potential investors need to make an informed decision. A clear call to action for the investors should also be included.
Coherent : The proposal should have a logical flow, presenting information in a structured manner to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
Courteous : A courteous and respectful tone should be maintained throughout the proposal to create a positive impression and build rapport with potential investors.

Tech Support Chat :

Clear : The tech support chat should provide clear instructions for troubleshooting issues, ensuring that users can understand and follow the steps without confusion.
Concise : Explanations and responses should be concise to save time for both the user and the support agent while conveying necessary information.
Concrete : The support agent should use specific and logical language to describe troubleshooting steps and provide data or examples to support their guidance.
Correct : Information provided in the chat, especially technical details, should be accurate and free of errors.
Complete : The chat should include all necessary information and instructions to help the user resolve their tech issue. If further assistance is required, the user should know how to proceed.
Coherent : The conversation should flow logically, with responses addressing the user’s questions or concerns in an organized manner.
Courteous : A courteous and patient tone should be maintained, even if the user is frustrated, to ensure a positive customer service experience.

Product Launch Announcement :

Clear : The announcement should provide a clear description of the new product ’s features and benefits, ensuring that customers understand what is being offered.
Concise : Information about the product ’s benefits should be presented concisely to maintain the reader’s interest and avoid overwhelming them with details.
Concrete : Specifications and data should be provided to support the claims about the product, making the announcement more convincing and credible.
Correct : Information about release dates and pricing should be accurate and error-free, as incorrect details can lead to confusion and disappointment among customers.
Complete : The announcement should include all necessary details for customers to make informed decisions, including how to order the product and any special promotions.
Coherent : The message should flow logically, presenting information in a structured manner to maintain reader engagement.
Courteous : The announcement should maintain a friendly and professional tone to create a positive impression and address potential customer inquiries courteously.

Business Email :

Clear : The email should be clear and free from ambiguity, ensuring that the recipient can easily understand the message without the need for clarification.
Concise : It should be concise, delivering the necessary information without unnecessary wordiness, saving time for both the sender and the recipient.
Concrete : The email should contain specific details and avoid vague or abstract language, making the message more precise and actionable.
Correct : It must be free of spelling and grammatical errors to maintain professionalism and credibility. Technical terms should be used accurately.
Complete : The email should include all relevant information and details, and if necessary, it should provide clear calls to action or next steps.
Coherent : The email’s content should flow logically and maintain a consistent message structure, ensuring that the recipient can follow the narrative easily.
Courteous : The tone of the email should be courteous, professional, and respectful to maintain a positive working relationship.

Project Status Update :

Clear : The status update should clearly communicate the project’s progress and any notable achievements or issues, ensuring that stakeholders understand the current state.
Concise : It should be concise, focusing on key points and highlights, avoiding lengthy explanations that might overwhelm or bore the audience.
Concrete : Specific data, metrics, and evidence should be provided to support the reported progress, making the update more credible.
Correct : The update should be free from errors, especially in terms of timelines and milestones, to maintain trust and reliability.
Complete : It should include all necessary information, such as upcoming tasks or action items for stakeholders, to facilitate informed decision-making.
Coherent : The update should follow a logical structure, ensuring that stakeholders can easily follow the narrative and understand the project’s direction.
Courteous : Maintaining a respectful and professional tone in the update helps foster positive relationships with project stakeholders.

Job Interview :

Clear : During the interview, candidates should provide clear and concise responses to questions, ensuring that interviewers can easily understand their qualifications and experiences.
Concise : Responses should be concise, providing relevant information without unnecessary details or rambling, respecting the interviewers’ time.
Concrete : Candidates should use specific examples and achievements to illustrate their skills and experiences, making their qualifications more tangible.
Correct : All statements made during the interview should be accurate and free of factual errors, maintaining the candidate’s credibility.
Complete : Responses should address the entirety of the interview questions, providing thorough and informative answers.
Coherent : Candidates should maintain a logical and organized narrative throughout the interview, making it easier for interviewers to follow their responses.
Courteous : Maintaining a polite and respectful demeanor during the interview contributes to a positive impression and a potential job offer.

Key takeaways:

The 7 Cs of communication provide a framework for effective and efficient business communication.
The 7 Cs of communication detail 7 guiding principles. Is the communication clear, concise, concrete, complete, correct, coherent, and courteous?
The 7 Cs of communication provide many benefits for individuals and businesses alike. Proper communication boosts credibility and engagement which builds solid relationships.

Key Highlights

The 7 Cs of communication is a set of guiding principles for effective business communication.
The principles focus on clear, concise, concrete, correct, complete, coherent, and courteous communication.
Effective communication in business ensures that messages are received as intended and are productive, efficient, and engaging.
The 7 Cs aim to improve both written and oral communication by providing a comprehensive framework.
Clear : Communication should be easy to understand without the need for further clarification. Simplicity is key, avoiding complex words or assumptions.
Concise : Messages should be brief to save time while conveying the necessary information. Balancing brevity and important details is crucial.
Concrete : Communication should be specific, logical, and supported by facts, including data where applicable.
Correct : Communication must be free of errors, including typing and spelling. Technical terms should be understood by the recipient.
Complete : Communication should provide all necessary information for the recipient to take action, including a clear call to action.
Coherent : Communication should have a logical flow, sticking to the main topic and avoiding distractions.
Courteous : Manners and politeness are important, especially in high-stress environments. Professional, friendly, and respectful tones should be used.
Credibility : Communication should enhance the credibility of the communicator, especially in scenarios like presentations.
Creativity : Creative communication increases engagement and can also enhance credibility in presentations.
The 7 Cs of communication offer a comprehensive framework for effective business communication.
Following the principles ensures that communication is clear, concise, concrete, correct, complete, coherent, and courteous.
Effective communication has numerous benefits, including enhanced credibility, engagement, and relationship-building.

Related Frameworks	Description	When to Apply
	– A mathematical theory of communication developed by Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver that describes communication as a process of encoding, transmitting, and decoding messages through a noisy channel. The emphasizes the technical aspects of communication and the role of noise in signal transmission.	– When analyzing communication processes or designing communication systems. – Applying the to understand the transmission of messages, identify potential sources of interference, and optimize communication channels effectively, ensuring clear and accurate message delivery.
	– A communication theory proposed by Barnlund and others that views communication as a dynamic process involving the exchange of messages between senders and receivers in a continuous feedback loop. The emphasizes mutual influence, context, and interpretation in communication interactions.	– When studying interpersonal communication or analyzing communication dynamics. – Employing the to understand the reciprocal nature of communication exchanges, interpret nonverbal cues, and navigate communication contexts effectively, fostering mutual understanding and relationship building.
	– A communication model developed by David Berlo that identifies four key components of the communication process: Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver (SMCR). highlights the importance of sender-receiver dynamics, message encoding and decoding, and channel selection in effective communication.	– When planning communication strategies or analyzing communication effectiveness. – Utilizing to assess communication goals, tailor messages to audience preferences, and select appropriate channels for message delivery effectively, enhancing message clarity and audience engagement.
	– A leadership theory that focuses on exchanges between leaders and followers, emphasizing the transactional nature of leadership interactions based on contingent rewards, punishments, and performance expectations. relies on clear communication, goal setting, and performance monitoring.	– When managing teams or implementing performance incentives. – Applying principles to establish clear expectations, communicate performance goals, and provide feedback and rewards effectively, motivating team members and driving performance outcomes.
	– A branch of communication studies that explores how individuals interact and communicate with one another in various social contexts and relationships. examines verbal and nonverbal communication, relationship dynamics, and social influence processes.	– When studying interpersonal relationships or improving communication skills. – Drawing on concepts to enhance self-awareness, develop empathy, and navigate interpersonal interactions effectively, fostering meaningful connections and rapport with others.
	– A theory developed by Everett Rogers that explains how new ideas, products, or innovations spread and are adopted within a social system over time. The identifies key factors influencing the adoption process, such as perceived benefits, communication channels, and social norms.	– When introducing new products or ideas to target audiences. – Leveraging principles to identify early adopters, target opinion leaders, and tailor communication strategies to different adopter segments effectively, accelerating adoption rates and diffusion within target populations.
	– A field of study that examines communication processes and dynamics within organizations, including formal and informal channels, communication networks, and organizational culture. addresses issues such as leadership communication, conflict management, and change communication.	– When improving internal communication or managing organizational change. – Applying frameworks to diagnose communication barriers, design communication structures, and facilitate dialogue and collaboration effectively, enhancing organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.
	– A theory proposed by Albert Bandura that emphasizes the role of observational learning, imitation, and modeling in shaping human behavior. suggests that individuals learn from observing others and their consequences, which influences their attitudes, beliefs, and actions.	– When designing training programs or behavior change interventions. – Incorporating principles into instructional design, modeling positive behaviors, and providing opportunities for observation and practice effectively, facilitating skill acquisition and behavior change.
	– A communication theory that explores how individuals and societies rely on media for information, entertainment, and social interaction, particularly in times of uncertainty or crisis. examines the role of media in shaping perceptions, attitudes, and behavior.	– When analyzing media consumption patterns or media effects. – Applying frameworks to understand media consumption motivations, assess media influence on public opinion, and design communication campaigns effectively, leveraging media channels to inform, engage, and mobilize audiences.
	– A branch of communication studies that examines the persuasive power of language, symbols, and discourse in influencing beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. analyzes rhetorical strategies, appeals, and audience responses in persuasive communication contexts.	– When crafting persuasive messages or delivering public speeches. – Drawing on principles to analyze audience needs, tailor persuasive appeals, and structure arguments effectively, enhancing message persuasiveness and audience engagement.

Read Next: Lasswell Communication Model , Linear Model Of Communication .

Connected Communication Models

Aristotle’s Model of Communication

Communication Cycle

Berlo’s SMCR Model

Helical Model of Communication

Lasswell Communication Model

Modus Tollens

Five Cannons of Rhetoric

Communication Strategy

Noise if Communication

7 Cs of Communication

Transactional Model of Communication

Horizontal Communication

Communication Apprehension

Closed-Loop Communication

Grapevine In Communication

Integrated Marketing Communication

Social Penetration Theory

Hypodermic Needle

7-38-55 Rule

Active Listening

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The 7 C's of Effective Communication
Courtesy. Clarity. Consideration. Concreteness. These strategies apply to both written and oral communication. The one who is aware of and makes use of these 7C's in a sensible manner can become a good and effective communicator. 1. Completeness. This is one of the most significant aspects of effective communication.
The 7 Cs of Communication
Key Takeaways. The 7 Cs of Communication help you to communicate more effectively. The 7 Cs stand for: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous. Though there are a few variations. You can use the 7 Cs as a checklist in your written and spoken messages. Follow our examples to learn how!
7Cs of Communication With Examples PDF
The 7 C's of communication - clear, concise, concrete, correct, courteous, complete and constructive - provide a useful framework for ensuring that written and verbal messages are well-received by the intended audience. These principles emphasize the importance of precision, brevity and politeness in business and personal communications.
A Complete Guide To The 7 Cs of Effective Communication (With Examples)
Effective communication refers to the process of conveying information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings from one person to another in a clear, concise, and understandable manner. Communicating effectively ensures your message is accurately understood by the recipient, leading to successful interaction between individuals or groups.
7 C's of Effective Communication (And Why They're Important)
Here are the seven Cs of communication: 1. Concise. Concise statements often have a greater impact on listeners. Brief, well-delivered messages are also more memorable. The more details you include, the more challenging it can be for listeners to follow and recall, especially if the subject matter is new to them.
What Are the 7 Cs of Communication? A Checklist with Examples
The 7 Cs of effective communication are Concise, Complete, Coherent, Clear, Courteous, Concrete, and Correct. These principles make your ideas more impactful and practical, leading to understandable and effective communication. It can be complicated to improve your communication skills without exercising the principles of the 7 Cs.
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7 Cs of Effective Communication. 1. Clear. Any message needs to come out clearly from your communication rather than the recipient having to assume things and come back to you for more information. This will only lead to more time being wasted on emails.
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The 7 C's of Communication. In the professional world, effective communication is crucial for success and relationships. Herein lies the significance of the 7 Cs of Communication, a concept initially introduced by Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center, pioneers in the field of public relations.This principle underscores the importance of clear, concise, coherent, consistent, complete ...
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The Most Crucial of the 7cs of Communication: Clear. Clear communication is essential for ensuring that your message is understood by your audience. This means using simple, direct language and avoiding jargon or technical terms. Additionally, it's important to consider the context of the communication and tailor your message accordingly. Concise
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The 7 Cs of communication can be applied to many interactions. (Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / jamesoladujoye) Poor communication which does not encompass the 7 Cs of effective communication can negatively impact a huge array of our professional and personal dynamics. Financially, it is estimated to cost businesses over a trillion dollars every year. Other statistics suggest that 86 percent of ...
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Following the 7 C's of communication is a way to ensure effective business communication. Harappa Education's Speaking Effectively course can make your communication effective, clear, and concise so you can succeed at work. You can use the Pyramid Principle to structure your ideas for more effective communication.
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The 7 C's of Communication. The seven C's of communication is a list of principles that you should ensure all of your communications adhere to. Their purpose is to help ensure that the person you're communicating with hears what you're trying to say. The seven C's are: clear, correct, complete, concrete, concise, considered and courteous.
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That is what we call competence. 3. Concise. Stick to the point. Be brief. This shows respect for our audience (you appreciate that their time is valuable), but it also helps to keep us clear and precise. A good example of concise information is the Can Do statements that we use to describe learner competence.
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This is why the 7 Cs of Communication are helpful. The 7 Cs provide a checklist for making sure that your meetings , emails , conference calls , reports , and presentations are well constructed and clear - so your audience gets your message. According to the 7 Cs, communication needs to be: Clear. Concise. Concrete. Correct. Coherent. Complete.
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There are 7 C's of effective communication which are applicable to both written as well as oral communication. These are as follows: Completeness - The communication must be complete. It should convey all facts required by the audience. The sender of the message must take into consideration the receiver's mind set and convey the message accordingly.
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To ensure that your communication is coherent: Check that each sentence flows logically from one to the next. Check that you haven't tried to cover too many points or been distracted by side issues. 6. Complete. Your message must contain all the necessary information to achieve the desired response.
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Completeness. Concreteness. Concise. Consideration. Courtesy. FAQs. Otherwise, we may have to convey the same message over and over again and the outcome will be negatively affected. In fact, all of us have first-hand experiences of how miscommunication and communication gaps can affect our lives drastically.
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Because of clarity, the understanding of ideas becomes easier. As the clarity is achieved for ideas and thoughts, the meaning of the words is enhanced. The message becomes more appropriate and exact. 3. Correct. The understanding of your audience is directly proportional to the correctness of your ideas.
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Lastly, be courteous. This means having a friendly, open, and honest tone, and avoiding hidden insults or a passive-aggressive tone. Always keep your audience's viewpoint in mind, and show that you empathize and understand its needs. For further examples of how you can apply the 7 Cs to your communications, read the article that accompanies ...
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The 7 Cs of Communication has several implications for effective communication: - Improved Clarity: Clear and concise communication reduces misunderstandings. - Audience-Centric: Consideration of the audience's perspective enhances engagement. - Enhanced Credibility: Correct and consistent communication builds trust.

The 7 C’s of Effective Communication – Explained with Examples

The 7 C’s of Effective Communication

It involves the following C’s:

1. Completeness

2. Correctness

3. Conciseness

4. Courtesy

6. Consideration

7. Concreteness

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What Are the 7 Cs of Effective Communication? Dos & Don’ts

Importance of 7 Cs of Communication

What Are the 7 Cs of Effective Communication?

Don’t: Drag on and use unnecessary words.

Do: Get straight to the point.

2. Complete

Don’t: Leave out crucial details or information.

Do: Provide all necessary details.

3. Coherent

Don’t: Jump from topic to topic without a clear connection.

Do: Ensure your message flows logically.

Don’t: Use jargon or complicated words without explaining them.

Do: Make sure your message is easily understood.

5. Courteous

Don’t: Be blunt or insensitive.

Do: Use polite and respectful language.

6. Concrete

Don’t: Be vague or ambiguous.

Do: Use specific details and facts.

Don’t: Use incorrect grammar or misinformation.

Do: Ensure your message is grammatically and factually accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the 7 Cs Important in Communication?

How much of communication is non-verbal?

Who Created the 7 Cs of effective Communication?

How can one achieve conciseness in communication?

How do the 7 Cs of communication improve business communication?

Can the 7 Cs of communication be applied to both written and verbal communication?

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3. Complete

5. Concrete

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