The 7 Cs of Communication

Think of how often you communicate with people during your day.

You write emails, facilitate meetings, participate in conference calls, create reports, devise presentations, debate
with your colleagues… the list goes on.

We can spend almost our entire day communicating. So, how can we provide a huge boost to our productivity? We
can make sure that we communicate in the clearest, most effective way possible.

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 should have:

1. Completeness
The first one among the Seven C’s of Communication skills is 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. A complete communication has following features:

 Provide all information. ‘Wh’ questions must be answered for this purpose.
 Answer all questions. (Direct or indirect)
 Add something extra when required.

Example:
If a person wants to buy a laptop but he first asks for information about certain laptops, the company will have to
provide the complete information. This information will include all the direct and indirect questions that could
come in the customers mind. ‘Wh’ questions must also be answered. Extra features of laptops can also be
mentioned.

2. Conciseness
Conciseness means wordiness, i.e, communicating what you want to convey in least possible words without
forgoing the other C’s of communication. Conciseness is a necessity for effective communication. Concise
communication has following features:

 Avoid wordy expressions.

 Stick to purpose.
 Avoid unnecessary repetition.

Example: This includes avoiding overdose of language and usage of idioms. That or which clause should not be
used. Here’s a sentence:

 We bought jackets which were made of leather.

This sentence can be written concisely like this: We bought leather jackets.

3. Correctness
Correctness in communication implies that there are no grammatical errors in communication. Correct
communication has following features

 Use the right level of writing. (Formal, Informal, Substandard)

 Use effective writing mechanisms. (Handwriting, font, format, punctuation, visual aids)
 Check accuracy of facts.
 Example:While communicating at business level, one should know the use of formal language and correct
punctuation marks. Do not assume the facts.

4. Courtesy
Courtesy in message implies the message should show the sender’s expression as well as should respect the
receiver. The sender of the message should be sincerely polite, judicious, reflective and enthusiastic. Courteous
message has following features:

 Be appreciative.
 Use expressions that show respect.
 Use non-discriminatory language.

Example: A person wants to draw out money from the bank but the bank is closed. The manager can either say,
”The bank is closed.” or ”You can draw the money tomorrow”.
The second way is more courteous.

5. Clarity
Clarity implies emphasizing on a specific message or goal at a time, rather than trying to achieve too much at once.
Clarity in communication has following features:

 Use image building words. These words should have sensory appeal.
 Use of facts and figures.
 Use of active voice.

Example: Here are some examples that show how simple and clear words can be used instead of difficult words.

 After can be used instead of subsequent.

 Example can be used instead of E.g.

6. Consideration
Consideration implies “stepping into the shoes of others”. Effective communication must take the audience into
consideration, i.e, the audience’s view points, background, mind-set, education level, etc. Make an attempt to
envisage your audience, their requirements, emotions as well as problems. Ensure that the self-respect of the
audience is maintained and their emotions are not at harm. Modify your words in message to suit the audience’s
needs while making your message complete. Features of considerate communication are as follows:

 Focus on ‘You’ instead of ‘I’ and ‘We’. (You-Attitude).

 Show audience benefit.
 Focus on positive ideas.

7. Concreteness
Concrete communication implies being particular and clear rather than fuzzy and general. Concreteness
strengthens the confidence. Concrete message has following features:

 Use proper facts and figures.

 Use action verbs.
 Choose familiar words.
 Choose image building words.