Communication is at once the simplest and most complex of activities. Though communication is external, our internal complexity plays a crucial role in shaping the information we give and receive. You are a complex individual, filled with unique understanding and impressions. The same is true of each of your colleagues. Thus, the information that each person aims to send is instantly measured and filtered, so the message received can be quite different from the one intended.

This tutorial seeks to explain the ways that we communicate, to recognize the obstacles that interfere with the exchange of information, and to help you to communicate with clarity and precision.

Objectives
On completion you will be able to:

• Explain the fundamentals of communication
• Recognize and minimize barriers to effective communication
• Communicate skillfully