The skill of communication

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.