Communication is the process of exchanging ideas, opinions, and information between and among two or more people. Effective communication is a message that is understood as the communicator meant it to be understood. Here are some of the key characteristics of communication:

• At least two persons: Communication requires a minimum of two people, a sender and a receiver, because no single individual can have an exchange of ideas with themselves.

• Exchange of ideas: Communication cannot be thought of in the absence of an exchange of ideas, orders, feelings, etc., among two or more than two persons.

• Mutual understanding: Mutual understanding means that the receiver should receive the information in the same spirit with which it is being given.

• Direct and indirect communication: Communication can be both direct and indirect. Direct communication means face-to-face conversation, while indirect communication is through other means.

• Continuous process: Communication is an endless process and is the basis of all organizational activities.

• Oral or written: Communication can be oral and written. Oral communication means communicating by speaking, whereas written communication means communicating by written channels like letters, memos, etc. .

• Encoding and decoding: Communication involves encoding the message by the sender and decoding the message by the receiver.

• Dynamic process: Communication is influenced by the mood and thinking of the sender and receiver. The way a message is accepted depends upon the fact that which of the fine sensory organs of the receiver is active at that time.

• Clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous: Effective communication should be clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous.

• Showing respect: Good communicators show respect during their communications by being polite and attentive.

In summary, communication is a complex process that involves at least two people exchanging ideas, with the goal of mutual understanding. Effective communication requires clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous messages. Good communicators also show respect during their communications.