Communication is a skill that is central to your daily life, especially in the workplace. Think of all the ways employees communicate within an organization: making presentations about new policies, emailing coworkers, speaking up in meetings to discuss problems with a product, listening to customer concerns, and scheduling time off are just a few. It’s no wonder, then, that communication is consistently one of the top skills employers look for in their new hires (NACE, 2018). A report from Burning Glass Technologies, a company that tracks employment trends, states that communication is one of “the top three requested baseline skills overall” (2015, p. 10).
The good news is that communication is a skill you can develop! As you learn more about the communication process, you’ll become more mindful of the messages you’re sending and receiving. And as you practice effective communication strategies, you’ll be able to express yourself more clearly and have confidence that you’ll be understood. You’ll even start understanding others better too
Let’s meet some of America’s most talented improv comedians. Whether they’re keeping audiences in stitches night after night, or climbing the corporate ladder at their day jobs, there’s one skill that’s crucial to their success - communication.
Successful communication is particularly critical to employers who want to create a positive and productive work environment for their staff. By effectively articulating expectations, needs, and questions, employees have a clear understanding of each others‘ roles and tasks, which makes everyone work more efficiently. If you want to become a magnet for the best professional opportunities and fulfilling relationships throughout your future, you‘ll need to start optimizing your communication skill right now.