What is communication, and what are its main objectives in a professional setting?

In one line

Communication is the two-way process of sharing information, ideas and feelings through shared symbols so that the receiver understands the message as the sender meant it.

Explained simply

Think of sending a meme to a friend. If your friend laughs at the same joke you saw, communication worked. If they reply 'what does this mean?', a message was sent but not understood. Communication is not just talking or sending; it is complete only when meaning is shared.

Technically, the word comes from the Latin communicare, 'to share' or 'to make common'. Communication is the exchange of facts, ideas, opinions and emotions between two or more people through words, signs and symbols, resulting in mutual understanding and usually a response (feedback).

How it works

1. A need or idea arises in the sender's mind.
2. The sender puts it into words, symbols or gestures and sends it through a suitable channel.
3. The receiver interprets it and responds, which shows whether the meaning was shared.
4. In an organisation, this exchange serves definite objectives:
5. To inform: give facts, data, policies (a notice about exam dates).
6. To instruct: tell people how to do a task (safety procedure in a lab).
7. To persuade: change attitudes or win agreement (a sales pitch, a project proposal).
8. To motivate and raise morale: appreciation, recognition, encouragement.
9. To build goodwill and relationships with customers, colleagues and the public.
10. To support decision making: managers need accurate information to decide.
11. To educate and train, and to warn (alerts, cautions).

Quick example

A project manager e-mails the team: 'The client review is moved to Friday 10 a.m.; please upload your module demos by Thursday 6 p.m.' This one message informs (new date), instructs (upload demos) and supports decision making (the team plans its week). When a member replies 'Noted, will upload by 5 p.m.', the feedback confirms the communication is complete.

Common mistakes

• Defining communication as only 'speaking' or 'transfer of information'. Always include understanding and feedback.
• Listing objectives without an example each; examiners expect a one-line workplace example per objective.
• Mixing up objectives (why we communicate) with methods (verbal, non-verbal) or barriers.

How MU asks it

Typical forms: 'Define communication and explain its objectives' (5 marks) or a short note on objectives (3 marks). For full marks: give a precise definition (with the Latin root), mention the two-way nature and feedback, then list five or six objectives with a short example each. A neat introduction-points-conclusion layout is enough.