communication skills
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communication_skills.docxMany job descriptions state that candidates state that candidates should demonstrate expert communication skills. What are those skills? Why are they important in working relationships?
The capacity to communicate effectually with colleagues, staff and leaders is essential, irrespective of the industry in which one works in. Workers in this age and times must harness the ability to effectively receive and pass information in person as well as through social media, email, phone and face to face. What are essential skills are employers looking for? Which communication skills will help promote your success? Important questions indeed. Here are nine communication skills that are valuable to any individual for success in the job market.
Listening
Good listening skills is paramount to being a good communicator. No one likes talking or communication with a person who only cares about their own opinions but don’t care to listen to another person’s views. It is very difficult to comprehend what you are being asked to act on or think about if you are a poor listener.
Nonverbal communication
Clarity and Concision
Good communication skills require that one speaks only at the right time and at the right place. One is also required to not say too little or too much, just enough. It’s definitely difficult to know the limits of too much or too little in different contexts, but since it is a skill, it can be learned over and over again for mastery. Say what needs to be said directly and clearly using whichever medium of communication being used. It has also been research that a human concentration span is quite low and this means that the point to be communicated needs to be succinctly conveyed.
Friendliness
Through acts of kindness, a friendly tone, a smile, a personal question, you will be able to influence a coworker and encourage them in open and sincere communication with you. It is paramount to be polite and nice in all your workplace communications. This is particularly important in face to face and written communication. Emails can also be personalized and end lines such as “I hope you have a good day”. This makes the recipient feel appreciated.
Confidence
Confident is of importance when it comes to face to face communication. It gives the recipients of the communication a feeling that you believe in and will be able to follow through with the information you are conveying. Confidence is contagious, when you exude confidence about an issue, your coworkers are able to see belief and also be confident as well.
Empathy
Even when you fail to agree with your coworkers, employer or employee, it is important for you to listen, understand and respect another’s point of view. Phrases such as “ I get your point of view or I understand where you are coming from” shows that you respect their different opinions.
Open mindedness
A good communicator needs to engage in any conversation with a flexibility and open mindedness. This ensures that you are able to acquire all available information without any biases so that you have all the information needed to make proper decisions. This skill ensures opinions of all workers and employers are put into consideration in the day to day decision making.
Feedback
Having the ability to appropriately receive and give feedback is an essential communication skill. The management needs to set up structures that ensure seamless constructive feedback of information between them and the employees, be it through phone, email or weekly status updates. Such feedback ensures that every constructive feeling, thought and word is passed on and effectively used.
Picking the right medium
It is very important to know the form of communication to use. This depends on a number of things including the time, the receiver, urgency as well as availability. Forms of communication include email, face to face, letters, weekly podcasts, social media and electronic media.
All the nine mentioned skills are equally important. They should not be used exclusively but rather together. For example, the manner of approach will definitely play a major role in the manner of response. Most times, friendliness begets friendliness and harshness begets harshness.
Reference
Alison Doyle (2017) Top communication skills for workplace success. Found at www.the balance .com/communication skills list.
