Communicative Skills for Career Success

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nIntroduction

nEffective communication skills play a crucial part in determining a successful career. Therefore, failure to incorporate effective communication, a message can be misunderstood, misinterpreted, produce an error or poorly delivered. A successful communication takes place when both the sender and the receiver have access to the same information (Barker, 2010, p. 103). Research revealed that individual with characteristics that differentiate them as effective communicators succeed in their career. Persons with good communicative skills have ascendant personality, ability to work collaboratively with others, and an aspiration to persuade (Ricketts, 2011, p. 221). On the contrary, the inability of an individual to communicate effectively holds them back in their career development.

nAccording to Guffey & Loewy, (2011), some critical communication skills make the difference between individual who succeed in their career and those who failed. In addition, the study identified essential skills that promote an individuals capacity to communicate powerfully and effectively (Guffey & Loewy, 2011, p. 61). These include the ability to give concise answers, flow of information in a logical manner, ability to give structured answers, clear speech and maintaining eye contact (Barker, 2010, p. 104). In a communication, candidates should avoid giving overlong and general answers to a question. When an individual gives long answers, it shows that he or she is anxious and has no specific answer. Moreover, it indicates that the candidate is attempting to substitute the correct answer with volume of irrelevant information (Ricketts, 2011, p. 221). In this regard, such responses are impudent because they do not address the issue at hand. For effective communication, an individual should ensure that the flow of information occurs in a logical manner. Logic is a way in which persons develop reasoned argument to reinforce their ideas. Therefore, they establish a connection of concepts offering evidence and developing conclusions in a persuasive way (Guffey & Loewy, 2011, p. 67).

nWhen a person speaks logically, other persons are able to follow the reasoning and understand how he or she has made conclusions. The logic flow of knowledge can take various forms, which include proper series or sequence of ideas, providing support to the common assertion with elaborate illustrations and giving reasoning from cause-effect relationship. Therefore, in career success, logic shows that an individual is orderly and applies analytical thinking. Furthermore, structure of answers in communication plays a critical part in a successful career (Ricketts, 2011, p. 221). Structured answers to a question show that an individual has organized thinking and have a higher command of the subject.

nMoreover, structured responses indicate the ability of an individual to communicate the subject being discussed. Eye contact is an essential communicative skill for success in career. In this respect, eye contact enhances the sense of rapport, participation of discussion and common trust (Ricketts, 2011, p. 223). Looking at an individual, you are speaking to is a sign of respect and that you are giving maximum attention. In particular, if there is no eye contact when listening it demonstrate that an individual is not interested in what is being said. Good communication skills also involve clear speech. If a person makes slurred, mumbled or careless speech, it illustrates that he or she does not care if other people understand or hear the message (Guffey & Loewy, 2011, p. 70). Consequently, it leads to loss of attentiveness of listeners. In most cases, using unclear speech demonstrates insufficient confidence and shyness.

nIn conclusion, communication skills are essential in facilitating success in career. In order to establish powerful and effective communication, an individual should make clear speech, maintain eye contact, ensure that information flow logically, give structured answers and respond concisely.

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nReferences

nBarker, A. (2010). Improve your communication skills. London: KoganPage.

nGuffey, M., & Loewy, D. (2011). Business communication. Mason, OH: South-Western/Cengage Learning.

nRicketts, C. (2011). Leadership: Personal Development and Career Success. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.