When considering communication skills, the subject of
honesty comes to mind. Honesty is pertinent anytime we make a presentation in a
meeting, lecture in a classroom, or in front of a group of investors. If we come across to an audience as
deceptive, or tangle our words by saying one thing, but meaning another, then
we are not adhering to good communication skills or acceptable ethical
behavior.
Take the job of a manager, for example. It is a manager’s
job to communicate. If a manager isn't taking the time to train and communicate
with each and every person on their team then the job isn't getting done, making
the managers communication ineffective.
First, we must
establish credibility. By making
ourselves known for making ethical and fair decisions, we leave no room for
questioning our honesty, our intentions, or our integrity. Ethical behavior has to be practiced in our
professional life as well as our personal lives. If you do not behave ethically in your
personal life, then you will not behave ethically professional life. It is a
state of being that must be cultivated and cared for with consistency. Second, we have to be willing to get our
hands dirty, this shows that you are invested in a project physically and
mentally and reinforces the issue of credibility with the group. Third, we need to engage with our audience by
looking them in the eye when we speak and encourage feedback and questioning. This shows you are interested in what they
have to say and that they are contributing at the same time.
When it comes to communication skills, we also need to pay
close attention to intercultural respect. Knowing that we are in the presents of
a diverse cultures, it would be preferable for us to have a background in
intercultural studies. Our cultural differences can be very damaging if we are
not aware of the natural habits of other cultures. Where one culture is comfortable commingling personal and professional
spaces, another culture may be more reserved, and like leaving their personal
lives at home and tend to the business at hand. Deeming one cultures mannerisms
more effective than another is futile, because when operating within their own
culture, it works for them, as us in ours, it is when our cultures clash that
great care must be taken so our intentions do not become misguided and we do
not offend one and other.
Concurring the skill of communicating through technology, is
yet another skill that must be mastered.
In this day and age of the wireless networking, we have the ability to
set up shop at any time throughout the world, simply by connecting to the
internet. We can sit on the beach while at the same time we are conduct a sales
meeting. Technology has developed so quickly that basic educational texts can
barely keep up. We should take
particular care of our use of technology, by not over using it. We as human beings need human contact, it is
etched into our very soul, and it is part of us mentally and physically.
We may not master every aspect of communicating effectively,
but it is our responsibility to keep trying.
