Master your communication skills!-It will take you FAR
Regardless of where you are in your career, developing your communication skills can impact your success. These skills are more than just the words you use to share information. They include your body language and the tone and quality of your voice.
As society moves farther into the “digital age” of phone, email, and social media, you shouldn’t minimize the critical importance of effective face-to-face communication skills, regardless of the industry in which you work.
There are lots of online sites that list important communication skills and how to fine-tune them. These include such things as listening skills, nonverbal communication, clarity and concision, friendliness, …etc.,etc.
While we at Key Corporate Services agree on the importance of great communication skills, just how to practice or improve on communication skills is another matter. For that, we offer four suggestions:
- Learn from mentors: Enlist help from managers or leaders you respect. They can provide constructive feedback and real-time coaching.
- Watch TED Talks. Learn how to present by watching innovative thinkers featured in TED Talks. In 18 minutes or less, these videos capture presentations of great communicators.
- Join Toastmasters International. Join a Toastmasters club, and build your skills in a “learn-by-doing” meeting. Toastmasters International has been around 90 years helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills.
- Attend a Dale Carnegie program. Go to one of Dale Carnegie’s well-known leadership development programs, which are based on his legendary book, “How to Win Friends & Influence People.” You’ll develop more effective communication skills and be better equipped to perform as a persuasive communicator, problem-solver and focused leader.
At Key Corporate Services, we make it part of our job to help candidates “communicate” effectively their talents and attributes to prospective employers.
The Key Corporate Services blog team
