Developing effective communication skills

The definition of professional communication, as taken from the wikipedia, is “written, oral, and visual communication within a workplace context”. To be successful in our careers, it is no longer sufficient to be just competent but also how we maintain professional relationships through effective communication. Similarly in our life, communicating efficiently is important for our roles as a friend, family member or spouse.

There are two aspects of professional communication skill that I wish to improve on- presentation and written skill.

I believe that presentation skill is the most important communication tool that one should be proficient in. It is through presentation that ideas are being conveyed. As akin to an innovative product without good marketing, no matter how fantastic an idea is, without good and convincing presentation, it can be easily be disregarded. Sadly, I am terribly weak at the verbal component of it! Even with adequate preparation, I would get very nervous in a formal setting.

Secondly, I am not competent in the written skills used in formal context. I am comfortable with writing scientific reports, which I have been doing for the past years. As we have just learnt, effective communication in workplace is essential to avoid misunderstandings, potential conflict and unhappiness. One good trick we learnt is to use 7Cs as a guideline- clear, complete, concise, considerate, correct, credible and creative.

Frankly, my primary motive for choosing es2007s was to create an impressive resume and because it has no examinations. After two lessons, I realised I’ve taken communication in workplace too lightly and there're much more for me to learn. Hopefully, I will learn to become a good communicator, allowing me to adapt better in the working world.