7cs Communication

Communicating effectively is the key to a successful

leadership.
Whether communicating in presentations, via email, on
virtual communication channels, or face-to-face,
leaders who communicate well lead more effectively. The
7 Cs of communication help leaders convey important
messages that are understood easily, improving
engagement and productivity.
 7CS Communication
The 7CS communications are as below

7CS communications

COURTESY
CONCISENESS CLARITY

CONSIDERATION CORRECTNESS CONCRETNESS

COMPLETNESS
 1. Completness
The communication must be complete. It should convey all facts required
by the audience. The sender of the message must take into consideration
the receiver’s mind set and convey the message accordingly. A complete
communication has following features
• Complete communication develops and enhances reputation of an organization.
• Moreover, they are cost saving as no crucial information is missing and no additional
cost is incurred in conveying extra message if the communication is complete.

• A complete communication always gives additional information wherever required. It

leaves no questions in the mind of receiver.

• Complete communication helps in better decision-making by the audience / readers /

receivers of message as they get all desired and crucial information.

• It persuades the audience to listen and evaluate emphatically.

1. The Significance of 5 five W’s
The five W’s completes the answer in multidimensional aspects.
• WHO?
• WHAT?
• WHEN?
• WHERE?
• Why?

• The five questions -method is useful when you write requests, announcements, or other informative
messages.
• For instance, to order (request) anything, 5-question method makes clear WHO wants it?
WHAT you want? WHEN you need it? WHERE it is to be use and WHY you want it.?
Example
Let us meet tomorrow to discuss the product launch event. Please be there on time.
There is no mention of the time of the meeting scheduled for, or the location, neither is there
any set agenda. The recipients of the email would have to write back or call back is not clarify.
So It can be, Let us meet tomorrow at 11 am at Conference room 3 to discuss the product launch event. We will
have to decide the keynote speakers and complete the event invite draft tomorrow. Please be there on time.
 2. Clarity
Practicing clarity in your communication ensures that the
message is received accurately. You should know what you
wish to say and how to say it. Use language that can be easily
understood, and resist the temptation to include unnecessary
information.
Example:
Instead of saying, “We have considered the consequences of
the existing policy on the hiring strategies we employ with our
human resources department and updated them accordingly,”
say, “We have updated our hiring policy.”
 3.Correctness
You must communicate with correctness – correct grammar, language, data,
etc. In written communication, you should proofread before sending.
Example:
“You may enter the building during opening hours but must show relevant
I.D.”
Immediately, the recipient of this information has two questions:
•“What are the opening hours, and what ID is considered relevant?
Correctness in this communication is conveyed by saying, “You may enter
the building during the opening hours of 9am to 5pm daily, but must show
your employee identity card.”
 4.Conciseness
Never use more words than is necessary. Brevity is more easily understood,
though you must avoid discourtesy. Concise messages save you and the
recipient time, too. To be concise, follow these rules:
•Eliminate unnecessary words
•Use action verbs
•Remove repetition
Example:
“As a matter of fact, during the month of June, all employees must ensure that
they wear appropriate clothing to ensure they stay cool while the air-
conditioning is being repaired.”
Becomes:
“Indeed, during June, employees must wear appropriate clothing to stay cool
while the air-conditioning is repaired.”
 5.Courtesy
• Knowing your audience allows you to use statements of courtesy; be aware of your message receiver.
• True courtesy involves being aware not only of the perspective of others, but also their feelings. It is not
just politeness with automatic placing of “please” and “Thank you”. “Warm regards.” “Feel indebted and
obliged.”
• Although Applying socially accepted manners is a form of courtesy, rather it is politeness that grows out
respect and concern for others.
• Courteous communication generates a special tone in their writing and speaking.

Example:
“I don’t appreciate how your team ignores requests for collaboration from my team. The work
we do is equally as important as your work. Could you make certain that your team
collaborates more readily from now on?”
Such a message is unlikely to encourage a negative response. Instead, a more effective
approach would be:
“I understand that your team is extremely busy and receives many requests to collaborate on
project work. However, my team is working a highly urgent project with enormous mutual
benefits. I would greatly appreciate if you could ask your team to collaborate more effectively
with mine to move this project forward faster. If there is any help that we can provide to make
this happen, please let me know.”
 6.Concretness
• It means that message should be specific instead of
general. Misunderstanding of words creates problems
for both parties (sender and receiver).
• When you talk to your senior always use facts and
figures instead of generic or irrelevant information.
EXAMPLE
An example would be poor communication of underperformance during a one-to-
one. You might say, “Your sales numbers are on the low side. They need to be
improved to at least the team’s average.”
Give your employee concrete direction with evidence and an active voice:
“Your sales conversion rate is below 50%. You must improve this to the team
average of 65% or higher.”
General: Police File is very good program and stood first in the rating.
Concrete: Police File rating of last week’s episodes are It stood first in rating.
 7.Consideration
Consideration means – To consider the receiver’s Interest/Intention.
It is very important in effective communication while writing a message you should
always keep in mind your target group or person.
Consideration is very important “C” among all the seven C’s.

1. Ways to Indicate Consideration

• Focus on “you” instead of “I” or “We”.
• Show audience benefit or interest of the receiver.
• Emphasize positive, pleasant facts

2. You Attitude
• Always write a message in such a way how reader should be benefited from it.
• Reader may react positively when benefits are shown to him.
• Always try to address his/her needs and wants.
• Always show/write to reader, what has been done so far as his/her query is concerned.
 Example
Imagine that you are unable to pay a promised bonus. How do you
communicate this?
“We are unable to pay bonuses now. The business is awaiting payment
from a major client. Once this payment is received, we can consider paying
contractual bonuses as soon as is practicable.”
This could be better conveyed as follows:
“Unfortunately, we are not presently in the position to pay your bonus.
However, as soon as our major client has settled their account, we will pay
any bonuses owed to you. We’re sorry about this delay, but are sure you
understand our need for positive cash flow and the long-term benefits this
will deliver to you.