It is hard to disagree that the effectiveness of communication, be it visual, audio, oral, or written mode influences the responses one receives. To achieve higher efficiency and level of a message, it is essential to remember the six Cs of communication and incorporate them regularly. After being used in a person’s message, they are able to promote the credence and goodwill of the sender, as well as assist in obtaining a positive and complete response from a receiver.
The six Cs of communication include correctness, clarity, conciseness, completeness, concreteness, and courtesy. Though some of these Cs may seem too evident, not all people care to add them to their message or misuse them, leading to communication failures.
First, correctness requires providing accurate information. A sender should use relevant references and verify the accuracy of the message’s punctuation, spelling, grammar, content, and context to eliminate some communication barriers. Moreover, the message’s appearance should also give a positive impression. Second, clarity is related to composing clear and simple statements with the help of appropriate words and varied sentence placement, length, and structure. Third, conciseness is about avoiding unnecessary words or information. It will allow a receiver to ensure that the message they got is relevant, necessary, and precise.
Fourth, to achieve completeness, a sender should not miss any relevant or significant information. In this case, an interlocutor will be able to take action in the message response. At the same time, if something essential was not included in the initial message, the reply may turn out to be irrelevant. Fifth, concreteness refers to using precise terms and specific words needed for the interlocutor to build a mental picture. Finally, courtesy means showing concern for the receiver by addressing their needs and reflecting on their point of view.