Communication is key in every
aspect of life, but it’s especially crucial in the workplace. Whether you’re
just starting out in business or are further along in your career curve, there
are specific business communication skills necessary for success. What business
communication skills and “soft skills” will help you work smarter?
Here
are 9 communication skills every professional should master:
1.
Active listening skills: The ability to listen to and
incorporate other views in your communication. Listening shows you value opinions
outside of your own and are open to new concepts. As a result, your audience
views you as an equal partner and you can come to a solution that benefits the
greater good. An active listener will allow pauses for interjections, repeat
other people’s words and ask questions to affirm his or her engagement in a conversation.
2.
Writing skills: Using specific data and examples in written
communication to make a solid case, and communicating proposed action items.
Written communication for business should be brief but informative, and helps
an audience focus on only the most important points. Good written communication
also includes adequate follow-up, which closes the communication loop and shows
proactive activity towards goals
3.
Verbal skills: The ability to communicate information (ideas,
thoughts, opinions and updates) in a clear manner verbally. Like good written
communication, good verbal communication in the workplace is also concise and
specific. Verbal communication allows employees to engage with one another in-person and
come to a mutually agreeable consensus.
4.
Interpersonal communication skills: Building trust and strong
relationships with key stakeholders in a business. Another “soft skill,”
successful interpersonal communication allows employees to find common ground,
display empathy and build bonds with one another. Interpersonal communication
means connecting on more than business level, but a personal level as well.
5.
Teamwork skills: Effectively communicating with others
who may have different opinions and skill sets. In a business setting, this
means putting aside personal differences and working toward a common goal. For
teamwork to be successful, all parties must recognize that combined efforts are
worth more than individual contributions.
6.
Presentation skills: Presenting information
and ideas to an audience in a way that is engaging, motivating, and effective.
This method of business communication allows one individual, or a group of
individuals, to share evidence to support an idea or argument. A good presenter
is also a good storyteller, using data, stories and examples to influence an
audience to act toward a desired outcome.
7.
Selling skills: Persuading stakeholders to pursue an
idea, decision, action, product or service. Selling skills extends beyond just
those whose jobs fall under the sales department. Employees with selling skills
can use these skills to influence other employees to buy into a project, team
members to choose a side, or executives to offer new products or services.
8.
Negotiation skills: Reaching a mutually beneficial
solution by understanding and leveraging the other side’s motivations. A
mutually beneficial or “win-win” solution is one that both sides finds
favorable, and maintains positive relationships for future interactions. In
order to achieve this outcome, you’ll need to discover what factors would be most
influential and agreeable for the other side.
9.
Networking skills: Displaying business value and encouraging
others to enter into your business network. In order to network successfully,
you’ll need to be interesting enough that others desire to partner with you in
some way. A large business network can also be a safety net, and means you have
more people to rely on when you require help, information or services.
Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t
possess every business communication skill on this list – not many do. As with
any changes in one’s habits, mastering skills that aren’t second nature require
time, experience, practice and patience. First, identify which of these skills
are your weakest, and then create a plan on how to improve these communication
skills to work smarter and more effectively. Good luck!
images are taken from Google.
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