Communication: The Positive and the Negative Sides - Essay Example

Clear and effective communication is but the lifeblood of a good working relationship in any given society; any misdirected/confusing communication automatically results in the piling up of unresolved problems (Stuart, Sarow, and Stuart, 2007, p. 108). It is important to note, therefore, that certain messages are preferably delivered effectively through specific channels. Nonetheless, any mode of communication, however preferable, has its share of challenges.

In a more personal form of communication, speaking is of the essence where direct interaction is necessary. It conveys sincerity, which in itself is a significant channel for building rapport and trust; no wonder most job interviews employ the channel (Stuart, Sarow, and Stuart, 2007, p. 109). It offers a high degree of understanding and transparency as the receiver reads the additional body language of the message bearer while assessing the tone of the message itself. One of the best in cases of problem resolution, speaking gives a chance for a repeat of the message with immediate feedback in case clarity is required.

It is, by and large, the most confidential channel for delivering a message. Despite the myriad benefits, oral communication is rather unsteady, and difficult to maintain in a prior format in cases of long speeches or conversations. It may also prove unproductive in time-constrained meetings where a lot of clarifications are sought after. Newspapers Communication through the newspapers has great importance in the modern business world. It is an explicit, innovative activity that involves careful choice of words intended to engage a larger audience.

It is a more valid and reliable means of communication with some form of permanence; can be stored and archived whenever the need arises. It offers a unique understanding capability as the receiver can repeatedly go over a message as many times as he/she may wish to get it right. A mass-market medium of communication, the geographic flexibility and timeline coverage of newspapers make the channel a preferably quick and cheaper option compared to other channels (Lamb, Hair, and McDaniel, 2011, pp. 272-273). They [newspapers], however, involve a mountainous paperwork and manpower that is often transferred to the receiver in terms of cost, and thus the message may not reach the intended audience number due to the prohibitive costs.

Moreover, the characteristic spontaneous response in oral communication is absent. The message source and the receivers, except a paltry number, are in this case separated by an immovable distance; a feature that makes clearing outstanding doubts a painstaking exercise. Facebook To be sincere, Facebook and indeed the ever-mushrooming social media sites are not necessarily about perfect friendship, but more about connection. Unlike other modes of communication, especially the rival social media sites that only offer a means to reach others [users], Facebook not only helps in maintaining friendships [old and new] but adds a distinct feature: where they are and the happenings in their lives (Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe, 2007).

Through the users’ news feeds, one can find out about a friend’s birthday, planned party, friends of friends, and much more. One can as well invite the entire Facebook population or a particular group of friends. Like other internet-based sites, Facebook has challenges that expose the users [both communication parties] to a certain degree of personal information spillovers. It is almost common knowledge that Facebook communication has broken marriages, led to unnecessary abduction of unsuspecting users for possible ransoms, has prompted hacking into personal savings [through the apps downloads, for instance], and quite more dangers that continue to surface each day.