Effective communication skills isn’t a “soft” issue; it’s a real business challenge with significant consequences.
Effective communication skills — it sounds like a “soft” issue, right? Hardly. In fact, the inability to communicate clearly and productively with a diverse audience is creating serious business consequences for organizations every day.
Just think about how much of your workday involves communication. Conference calls, face-to-face meetings, formal presentations, casual conversations, emails, text messages — it’s how you get the job done. Every leader or professional has to rely on effective communication skills to influence, inspire and collaborate so they can meet client needs and achieve business goals.
None of this is news to business executives or even to most hiring managers. How many job descriptions mention “strong communication skills,” in one form or another? But the reality is, many people won’t come to the role with the interpersonal skills required to succeed in today’s increasingly collaborative environment.