The 7 C’s – Theo Saunders’ checklist for more effective communication

27 Oct 2021

The following sponsored article is supplied by Blamey Saunders.

So much of what we do every day relies on good listening and communication skills, but this is easier said than done – especially in these mask-wearing times!

The good news? Effective listening and communication skills can be easily learned.

Communication involves hearing – of course – and that’s about perceiving sounds. Hearing others clearly is key to starting a conversation, but hearing is different to listening. It’s a two-way street, if we communicate clearly, we make it easier for others to understand us, too.

The 7 C’s of communication outline some of the characteristics of effective communication. It’s a simple checklist to make sure your communication is clear, well-constructed and effectively gets your message across. It also requires us to listen, and to get feedback and cues from our audience as well.

The following is the 7C checklist from Blamey Saunders’ Head of Teleaudiology, Theo Saunders.

1. Clear

Be clear about your message and your delivery. Use short sentences and break up any long sentences into shorter ones. Use plain language rather than formal, vague or technical language which can confuse the message.

2. Concise 

Stick to the key points and keep your message brief. Avoid repeating information unnecessarily. Can you cut out “filler” words or unnecessary information.

3. Concrete

Be specific and clear. Give real-world examples that are meaningful and paint a picture for your audience. As they say, a picture paints a thousand words.

4. Correct

Tailor your communication to your audience and take time and care to get things right. Read through emails or notes before sending them.

5. Coherent

Ensure the key points are relevant to the topic and flow in a logical order. Stick to the topic without veering off course, which can confuse the reader or listener.

6. Complete

Think about the recipient of your communication, and what you want them to know, feel or do. Make sure you provide the information that enables the reader or listener to take the necessary action.

7. Courteous

How we communicate has changed a lot over the years, becoming more informal than it used to be. Social media has spawned a new style and form of communication too. What hasn’t changed, however, is the need to be polite, friendly and sincere in your communication, and to show you respect the reader or listener. It’s important to also use language that’s positive and inclusive of others.

Hearing is critical to good communication

While we can practise and improve our verbal communication skills – both as a communicator and listener – success is of course predicated on the ability to listen and hear.

If you feel your hearing is limiting your communication with others, think first about your environment. Often, one of the first signs of hearing loss is having trouble hearing in a noisy environment.

Blamey Saunders is here to help

Hearing loss can creep up on you without noticing. If you suspect your hearing isn’t what it used to be, Blamey Saunders can help.

Talk to one of Blamey Saunders’ experienced hearing consultants and book an appointment (either in person or via telehealth) with their team today. Call 1300 049 128 or email at [email protected].