4.2 The 7 Cs of communication
The 7 Cs of communication is a useful approach to use when considering effective communication. Figure 10 provides an overview of the seven elements.
Watch the following Mind Tools video to get a brief explanation of the 7 Cs of communication:
Download this video clip.Video player: Video 6
Transcript: Video 6 The 7 Cs of communication
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PRESENTER
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 seven 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 minimising 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 stand-out 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 viewpoint in mind, and show that you empathise and understand its needs.
For further examples of how you can apply the seven Cs to your communications, read the article that accompanies this video.
Video 6 The 7 Cs of communication
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The video provided a short checklist for effective communication which we have summarised below.
- Clear: What is the purpose of the message and the outcome you desire, does the recipient understand why they are receiving the message?
- Concise: Focus on the core points. Try to keep it simple and short.
- Concrete: Be specific, brief and present in a logical order. Stick to facts, and provide evidence if required.
- Correct: Ensure both the information and the delivery is correct and error free.
- Coherent: Is the message logical and consistent?
- Complete: Provide all the required information and actions expected.
- Courteous: Use a friendly, open and honest tone. Consider your audience’s viewpoint and be empathic towards this.
If you want to find out more, there are many resources available that outline effective communication, including those on the OpenLearn platform, such as the badged open course Effective communication in the workplace [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .