What Is communication occasion by becoming receivers ourselves and
 watching and listening to reactions to what we have just said or
Communication? done. We have Feedback (F).
 Feedback is what comes back to us as a response to the messages
 we send. It may be in the form of a question, a comment or a shrug
 of the shoulders. Communication is most effective when it is a two-
 way process. And a number of sections in this manual will be
 discussing ways in which we can encourage and use feedback,
 whether in one-to-one or group occasions.
 Yet, so often our communication is really miscommunication.
 Something, some Blockage (B), gets in the way of our messages:










 M pB





 The squiggly line represents whatever it is that gets in the way of
 harmony and understanding. Sometimes it is right that the line is
 there in the middle-because the blockage will be some external
 factor like the noise of a tractor that literally blocks out the sound
 of our voice. Or the heat of the sun that distracts and saps energy
 and attention. But often it should be drawn as ifin the head of either
 the sender or receiver or both. Then it might represent a blockage
 related to attitudes. Like the thought in the head of an elderly male
 farmer who is being addressed by a young female extension worker:
 "What does she know about farming? She's the age mate of my
 grand-daughters. And all she knows is books!"
 Or it might represent a simple misunderstanding of a word. You
 say "little" and you mean only a teaspoonful. I hear you say "little"
 but imagine a cupful. This could be an important difference if you
 are talking about a harmful chemical!


Chapter 1