Why Communication Skills Matter in Business

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that good communication skills top the list of what employers seek in new recruits. But what does it mean exactly to have good communication skills?

Master Communicator

To communicate effectively in a business context, you’ll need to master a range of business communication modes. Whether you are writing a simple e-mail message or having a casual conversation with a co-worker about a project, it’s important to express your ideas clearly and respectfully. For those at the management level, effective communication can mean confidently leading a staff meeting, delivering a presentation to clients or company executives, or writing an employee performance evaluation. All such modes of communication are crucial to fulfilling your professional potential.

Business Communication for Management

Good communication skills are especially important for those interested in obtaining a management position, or those already in management. As mentioned earlier, managers have many opportunities to engage in business communication. Some communications can be very sensitive, such as writing a letter of evaluation or letter of recommendation. Others may involve high stakes, such as delivering a persuasive presentation to a client. You’ll want to make sure you are ready to successfully handle any communication challenge that comes your way.

Improving Your Communication Skills

You can start becoming a better communicator by honestly answering a few simple questions. Are you uncomfortable with your writing style? Do you think it could be improved? Do you get nervous when speaking to a group? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ve taken the first step toward improving your communication skills.

The next step is to get the training you need to become a more confident, effective communicator. Many classes are available to help business people improve their communication skills. You’ll find courses on business writing, presentation preparation and delivery, and public speaking.

While you’re taking classes, begin paying close attention to how people in the media and at work communicate. Notice who is effective, who isn’t, and why. Good speaking and writing is available all around us—be selective in what you read and watch, and you’ll have another rich opportunity to improve your communication skills by aping the pros.

Don’t expect to gain mastery of business communication immediately. It takes time to develop these skills. Once you learn to communicate effectively, however, you’ll appreciate what a crucial role communication plays in the workplace.

Source

National Association of Colleges and Employers

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.