State any four steps involved in the process of communication.

Answer – Communication transfers information, ideas and feelings to create shared understanding.

Process: the sender has an idea; encoding converts it into words, symbols or gestures; a message is transmitted through a medium; the receiver decodes it; feedback indicates the response. Noise is any disturbance that affects transmission or understanding.

Importance: provides the basis for coordination; supports smooth working; supplies information for decisions; improves managerial efficiency; promotes cooperation and industrial peace; establishes effective leadership; raises morale through understanding and participation.

The receiver's understanding matters more than merely sending a message. Instructions should therefore be clear and followed by an opportunity for clarification.