A few weeks ago, cricket headlines for the World Cup 2003 in most newspapers screamed, `South Africa was unable to make it to the super six stage due to lack of effective communication between dressing room and players in the middle'. Very true, as one's technical skill does not always ensure the much needed success. It is communication skills that completes the circle of a well-rounded personality—be it in sports, personal or professional life. In today's complex and competitive world, effective communication is an essential prerequisite for every manager.

That is perhaps what a communication should be spiced with, if it needs to achieve its intended purposes. To better appreciate the potency of this stanza, it is worth spending a few minutes on its context.

Communication is perhaps at the center of all managerial activities, playing a unique role of integrating all managerial functions. In today's organizational setup, a successful manager requires to spend almost 3/4ths of his time in communicating either directly or indirectly, with his staff or customers.

Suffice to say that today's manager exists through his communication with colleagues/customers and their subsequent observations about him, inside and outside the organization. It is in this context that a manager has to consider the social and psychological needs of his employees, customers, etc. and may have to even work to allay their fears, anxieties by creating a more congenial, constructive and secure work environment. All this demands for a strategic and more human approach towards communicative behavior.

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