Communication is a much needed skill
It's a well known fact that communication is a skill that is required in any position held in an organization. It's needed in every day life. In many job postings you'll likely see in the required skills section the need for "Strong verbal and written communication skills".
But do we really know how to communicate effectively? Or do we just take it for granted that we know how to talk to one another?
In delivering Better Conversations the feedback we've been receiving is highlighting the insights people gain throughout the course in how best to listen, to take stock of how they may be feeling and thinking as they go into a conversation and how that change during the conversation. Being aware of one self is equally important to being aware of others we interact with.
I've noticed more is being published from companies like McKinsey, Gartner and BCG on the topic of communication as a skill for leaders and team members to focus on. In 2024 the author and journalist Charles Duhigg published his book "Supercommunicators" that shared his journey in improving his communication skills.
Recently I can't help but ask, are we too busy, too stressed and in amongst too much chaos to focus on having the best conversations possible? I share below some insights from publications I subscribe to that highlight communication is a much needed skill in today's workplace.
Skills in the New World of Work
The BAI and Scrum Alliance partnered to publish their 2023 report to respond to the question “Which Agile Skills are Most In-Demand in Today’s Workforce?”.
Key takeaways from the report are -
- Human skills are just as important, if not more important, than functional skills in the new world of work
- As businesses continue to seek improved productivity and performance, individuals with the right combination of skills and experience become harder to find. Communication is the top skill the participating organizations of the survey are looking for.
- Communication continues to be the most important skill, both today and historically. Even when not explicitly required, proficiency in communication is more likely to pay off than any other skill.
- Within communication skills, there are three specific areas that organizations are looking for. Written and Verbal Communication, Active Listening, and Presentation Skills. Of these, organizations report that strong Written and Verbal Communication is one of the hardest skills to find in their candidates.
To find out more, the report is available at the BAI Website
Embracing Humanity at Work
In Q1 2024 Arbinger Institute released their 2024 workplace trends report and highlights communication in their top five trends as an area of focus.
- Trend #1: Redefining the employee experience
- Trend #2: Bridging the divide between leaders and employees
- Trend #3: Turning the performance review on its head
- Trend #4: Catalyzing communication to improve collaboration
- Just 19% of those surveyed rated the communication at their organization as excellent. Improving communication and collaboration should be a top priority for employers focused on growth, since there’s a notable correlation between revenue increases last year and ratings for communication and collaboration.
- Trend #5: Prioritizing training and development to boost performance
Key takeaways from the report -
- Excellence in communication and collaboration drive growth. There is also a notable correlation between revenue increases last year and ratings for communication and collaboration. Companies that experienced significant increases in revenue last year are more likely than others to have excellent communication and collaboration in their organization.
- 41% of participants who are in accelerated growth mode have excellent communication vs. 15% of all others
- Only 21% of professionals report being very satisfied with their company’s current level of communication and collaboration.
- Communication gaps are a more commonly reported challenge for those in an office setting than those at home (42% vs 32%)
To find out more, the report is available at the Arbinger website
Activating middle managers through capability building
McKinsey published an article in 2023 concerning the role of the middle manager where they highlighted a number of skills required for people in this role. The role of middle manager is close to my heart as I've been in that role and I've coached people in that role, it's a tough role to be in.
McKinsey highlight the need for senior leaders to prioritize learning and coaching for their middle managers to build on the following skills -
- designing and executing strategic plans (creating strategies that align, engage, and mobilize teams toward common goals)
- engaging in complex problem solving (defining the problem, structuring relevant components, and prioritizing issues for analysis)
- synthesizing ideas and communicating effectively (structuring communications in a top-down format, tailoring messages for the intended audience, and inspiring others to action)
- coaching direct reports to amplify their impact (developing and empowering people, leading with emotional intelligence, engaging people, and attracting and retaining top talent)
Having strong communication skills is key in supporting all the above. To summarize further, the authors reccomend -
- Middle managers must have strong communication skills.
- However, communication from middle managers often gets lost in translation, particularly when coordinating activities across the organization or cascading directives downward. As a result, team members might prioritize the wrong work actions, resulting in wasted time and unmet objectives.
- This has a corollary impact on culture and morale, because poor communication and wasted work can erode trust and confidence in middle managers.
To read the article in full, click here
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
Whilst this isn't a research paper based on a survey, it's certainly worth including in this section of my website.
Charles Duhigg's book "Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection" explores the power of effective communication by identifying three recurring types of conversations and providing strategies to align with others for mutual understanding and success.
Some key points from the book:
Alignment in Communication: Duhigg emphasizes the importance of aligning with others in conversation. By recognizing the type of conversation occurring and matching each other's communication style, individuals can improve understanding and connection.
Three Kinds of Conversations: The book highlights three common types of conversations:
- "What's this really about?" conversations, which require logical and analytical thinking for decision-making.
- "How do we feel?" conversations, driven by emotions, beliefs, and memories.
- "Who are we?" conversations, focusing on relationships, social identities, and self-perception.
Skills for Supercommunication: Supercommunicators are individuals who actively listen, ask the right questions, recognize and match others' moods, and make their own feelings easily perceptible. These skills are essential for effective communication and can be learned and developed.
Overall, "Supercommunicators" provides insights and practical advice for improving communication skills, fostering genuine connections, and enhancing relationships through better conversations.
Charles' book can be purchased in many major book stores.
For more information
About Better Conversations
Benefits of having Better Conversations
About Better Conversations
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Benefits of having Better Conversations
About Better Conversations
Benefits of having Better Conversations
Benefits of having Better Conversations
Benefits of having Better Conversations