Please allow me to shout an enthusiastic YES from the mountain tops.
Because Yes! communication skills can help you professionally. From securing a job to performing the job, strong communication skills can directly and profoundly contribute to your professional success.
FACT: There are precious few jobs in the working world that require zero interpersonal interactions. Including (but not limited to): talking to customers, talking to clients, talking to your colleagues, talking to vendors, talking to your supervisor, talking to the hiring manager who is conducting your interview, asking for help, or even simply talking to the IT person to troubleshoot your computer. One of the best ways to be a desirable professional is to be the kind of person people want around; to be reliable, personable, honest and authentic. The stronger you are at communicating, the stronger you can be professionally. Lets break it down further:
Strong Communication allows you to perform your job more effectively. Whether you’re part of a team or work independently, there will always be tasks where you need to interact with others. The ability to give clear instructions or information will gain you a reputation of being reliable and knowledgeable. Asking clear questions will secure the information you need to deliver and showcase your problem solving and willingness to learn. The skill of actively listening will turn you into a mean go-getter who is able to self-activate on instructions and remember key information. Confident, clear communication sets you up to be a kick ass, desirable professional – in short, you show up Deliver.
Strong communication makes you a better leader.
The best leaders are known for their ability to drive a team to glory. True leadership is providing guidance and support, with the ability to uplift talent, listen to and understand challenges, and ultimately generate buy-in for a clearly set goal. This cannot be done through threats, fear, or parties; those are qualities that may feel temporarily useful but lead to an unsustainable (or even toxic) work environment. Loyalty is inspired by an alignment of goals and values, and it is the leaders responsibility to make that precedent clear, holding themselves and the whole team equally accountable. A thriving work environment is one where the leader is looked upon as a trusted source to motivate shared effort and is able to provide honest feedback to guide the team towards intended outcome. Communication is the best way to generate loyalty and results – be the kind of person people want to work for.
Strong communication leads to career development and advancement. Promotions rarely come unless pursued. Raises rarely come unless asked for. Jobs are seldom given without an interview. Fortune favors the bold, and a seed must be planted to sprout. In other words – you gotta put your mouth where your ambition is, babe. If you’re seeking to grow within your current position, you must be willing to speak up and pursue that change. Even asking (and listening!) for feedback indicates that you are willing to learn and positions you to refine your abilities and improve. If you’re pursuing growth with a new opportunity, the ability to express the experience that makes your skillset truly unique is how you truly stand out as a candidate. If you aim at nothing, you will hit nothing; verbalizing your intention for growth will open doors that are otherwise kept locked with silence.
Strong Communication in the work place looks like:
Articulating things in a way that's clear and understood.
Thoughtfully anticipating the information needed and presenting it.
Factoring in the information your audience does / does not know.
Asking thoughtful, informed questions.
Listening, retaining and responding appropriately.
Standing and presenting as the expert in your field.
Do you have a communication challenge or question? Submit to speakup@kellyconvos.com.
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