Think of “Communication Skills” and all our thoughts focus on speech and language skills, academically related and used primarily in our personal lives. Very often, we ignore its value and importance in our profession and in our workplace. We all have to communicate with our peers, subordinates, seniors, internal and external clients, which makes effective communication skills a must.
The following are the most essential skills one must master in order to become a skilled communicator and use them to move up the ladder of personal and professional success:
Listening skills: This skill ranks first on the list as the ability to listen, understand, and correspond to the points of view of others, which is considered essential in the business world. Listening shows that the other person’s opinion is important and that you are willing to consider it, while being open to new concepts and ideas. While speaking, an active listener will always pause for the audience’s response, repeat it, and also ask questions confirming their participation in the ongoing conversation.
Verbal skills: This is a skill that helps us navigate our way through daily meetings, individual discussions, and brainstorming sessions. Clear and articulate speakers are usually the most effective, reflecting your clear thoughts and leaving no ambiguity in the listeners’ minds. As attention spans get shorter and shorter, it’s always a good idea to express thoughts clearly and concisely, focusing on the most vital segments of the conversation. While submitting training in communication skills, Much emphasis is placed on developing verbal skills that involve others and help to reach mutual consensus.
Written skills: Modern businesses rely heavily on email communication, presentations, and social media. Writing clear and accurate emails is undoubtedly a great skill that all employees should possess, regardless of the business function they are associated with. You should be able to focus on the important points without rambling and without using unnecessary words or repeating them. It’s also important to wear an appropriate shade without being too casual, as this could ruin a perfectly good business association with a potential client.
Good writing skills include proper follow-up and closing of the communication cycle, the latter being considered a valuable asset in the world of cluttered email. This skill takes up a large part of any communication training module.
Interpersonal communication skills: Success in building strong interpersonal relationships through effective communication is an extremely valuable asset for any individual aspiring to rise to the top. Interpersonal skills help one to communicate not only on a business level but also on a personal level, thus taking the relationship to a higher level. It is useful for bonding and helps employees find common ground.
Presentation skills: A busy corporate executive’s day is filled with meetings, video conferences, and, of course, presentations. It could be a presentation of ideas, information or details of the product, either to an internal team or to a potential customer. A good presenter uses anecdotes, stories, and references to make a powerful and moving presentation. The whole focus is on getting the desired result by influencing the audience in a positive way and it is part of effective communication skills. Eye contact with the audience, a relaxed demeanor, and a dash of humor are important ingredients of a memorable presentation.