The importance of effective communication skills
This article could have been titled, “It’s nothing but doing it.” After all, isn’t that what most people think? The prevailing thought is that there is nothing to effective communication but getting up and doing it. To that, one should hear a resounding, Wrong! The reality is that most of us are not as good as we think we are. We have much to learn but we are not alone. We just have to be aware that we can all be better communicators. This is very important.
How important are these skills?
Recently, one wrote, “being able to communicate effectively is the most important of all life skills.” Moreover, “it is not only an important skill, it is a vital skill in both personal and professional success” (Communication Skills, 2017). According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers have good communication skills as important as technical skills. (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2016).
This importance in your professional career cannot be underestimated. One author states; “The ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and staff is essential, no matter what industry you work in” (Doyle, 2017). Good communication skills will get you hired, get you promotions, and lead to success throughout your career.
Good communication in the army
This is certainly the case in the Air Force. I can remember back in 1979, when he was a young officer, he was completing Squadron Officer School. Indeed, it seemed that most of the attention in the course was given to developing effective communication skills. I can’t imagine it has changed in the years since. The Air Force believes that developing effective communication skills is an important part of our professional military education.
However, I dare say you can ask any high-ranking military leader and you will have a horror story about your first briefing or public speaking event. We all have those stories that we can tell. This is because effective communication skills are just that: a skill. One cannot go out and just “flap”. It needs to be learned and practiced. The more you practice, the better you will become. As Dr. Dale Carnegie says, one needs to Practice, Practice and then PRACTICE (Carnegie, 1915).
Effective communication takes practice
Practice not only helps you form good habits, but it will help you overcome the anxiety of being in front of an audience. That fear is often the difference between an effective communicator and a poor one. It is a matter of personal growth and developing your own personal voice.
As we develop our own voice, we must not forget that we become better communicators the more we learn to listen. Active listening is a skill that many of us need. The more we understand what our audience wants, the better we can align our communication with their needs. This is the essence of effective communication.
Find a place to practice
So the question is where can we practice and develop the skills we discuss here? Most of us do not have such opportunities readily available. A quick look at the course offerings at our local universities is not very encouraging. This is hope, however.
______________________
Carnegie, D. (1915). The art of public speaking. Springfield, Mass: The Writers Library.
Communication skills. (2017). Obtained from Skills You Need: Helping You Develop Life Skills:
Doyle, A. (November 28, 2017). The balance: Communication skills for success in the workplace. Obtained from Communication Skills for Success in the Workplace:
National Association of Universities and Employers. (2016, December 7). NACE Center for Career Development and Talent Acquisition. Retrieved from The Attributes Employers Look For in a Candidate’s Resume: