Communication skills are a key component of professional and social interaction. It can be improved or developed with practice and time.
Each person’s brain is wired differently when they are born. This is the gifted part. It is what distinguishes us from one another. As we grow, we acquire and/or enhance other skills. Communication is something we can learn, practice, and develop. For instance, we need to learn it from people in our professional and social networks. Next, we learn how to adapt to others and match them to make an impact. Finally, we learn to take ownership of the skill and make it a part of our daily lives. This learning cycle will guide us throughout our lives and shape our communication style, influence, leadership, and communication abilities.
You can use many processes to create a communication plan that is effective. These processes can be learned and taught. A good communication plan, along with proper training and planning will keep the team, as well as other stakeholders, informed about the progress of activities, process, and outcomes. It promotes productivity and facilitates great decisions.
There is a side to this equation. Communicating on a human level requires us to build trust, provide competency, and build loyalty. This is difficult to teach and learn. Although it can be taught, some of the skills can only be called a talent. With practice and time, some people can develop strong communication skills. All people can improve their communication skills with practice and time, even those who were born with excellent communication skills.
Some people are afraid to communicate with a group. Some people struggle to form coherent sentences. A project manager must understand the strengths and weaknesses and ensure that they don’t put the wrong people in the right positions.
A Real ScenarioJames was project manager. He was skilled in writing communications and had strong verbal communication skills. However, he struggled to present in person to outside vendors and people, which resulted in stammering. He was very polished and had a good grasp of the product and details. His reporting manager Max knew that remote meetings were very beneficial. Anne, his other reportee, was smart, bright, and very technically sound. She had some bad communication habits, including a lot of “likes” and little attention to grammar and spelling in emails. These were clearly her strengths, but she didn’t recognize them as “flags” to senior executives. She would not be able to see that they were hindering her career advancement. Max worked with Anne and James to address their weaknesses. He asked James to practice in empty rooms or in front a mirror for his presentations. He put his best effort into it and helped Anne understand why it was important to improve her communication style in order to increase her career growth, at least within the current organization. She didn’t take it personally and took on the challenge to improve in these areas.
Communication skills can be learned. You can have a lot of potential, but unless you know how to use them, it won’t produce much output. You can improve your communication skills by combining formal and informal training. Knowing your subject matter and doing your research will help you communicate confidently with others. Relaxation techniques are a good idea. If you are feeling anxious, take deep breaths. It really works.
Communication skills are important for career growth. Having strong resumes will help you get interviews. You can also learn how to improve your communication skills online to make yourself more competitive in today’s world.
Although communication is easier for some people, it is still a learned skill. There are many forms of communication, and each one requires specialized skills. Anyone can be a communicator if they have the desire. It’s just a matter how much effort it will require. Some people will need more than others.
