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Chapter One HOW GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS BUILD LEADERSHIP & CHARACTER

H ave you ever had a conversation in which the other person completely misunderstood what you were trying to say? A popular quote by an anonymous author states, “The closest distance between two people is misunderstanding.” How very true. When you speak and your message is not received as intended, it can be frustrating. Plus, in some cases, not getting your point across correctly can prevent your needs from getting met, or even create conflict between you and another person. That’s why effective communication is such an essential skill.

What Is Communication?

The term “communication” describes an exchange of ideas or information. Its root word is the Latin communicare , which literally means “to share.” Communication is a complex and ongoing two-way process.

The Communication Process There are many different models used to describe the communication process. The simplest model involves a loop between a sender and a receiver. • Sender: the person sending the message. The responsibility lies with this person to know their audience and choose the

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