Think “Communication Skills” and all our thoughts turn to speech and language skills, academically related and primarily used in our personal lives. Too often, we ignore its value and importance in our profession and in our workplace. We all have to communicate with our peers, subordinates, superiors, internal and external customers, making effective communication skills a must.

The following are the most essential skills one must master in order to become a skilled communicator and use them to climb the ladder of personal and professional success:

Listening skills: This skill is at the top of the list as the ability to listen, understand and correspond to the points of view of others, which is considered essential in the business world. Listening shows that the other person’s opinion is important and that you are willing to consider it, while being open to new concepts and ideas. While speaking, an active listener will always pause for the audience’s response, repeat it back, and also ask questions that confirm their participation in the ongoing conversation.

verbal skills: This is a skill that helps us navigate through daily meetings, one-on-one discussions, and brainstorming sessions. Clear and articulate speakers are often the most effective, as they reflect your clear thoughts and leave no ambiguity in the minds of your listeners. With attention spans getting shorter, it’s always a good idea to express your thoughts clearly and concisely, focusing on the most vital segments of the conversation. while submitting training in communication skills, Much emphasis is placed on developing verbal skills that engage others and help reach mutual consensus.

written skills: Modern businesses rely heavily on email communication, presentations, and social media. Writing clear and precise emails is undoubtedly a great skill that all employees should possess, regardless of the business function they are associated with. You should be able to focus on the important points without rambling and using unnecessary words or repeating them. It’s also important to use an appropriate tone without being too casual, as this could ruin a perfectly good business partnership with a potential client.

Good writing skills include proper follow-up and closing the communication loop, the latter being a valuable asset in the world of messy email. This skill occupies a large part of any communication training module.

Interpersonal Communication Skills: Success in building strong interpersonal relationships through effective communication is an extremely valuable asset for anyone who aspires to rise to the top. Interpersonal skills help one to communicate not only on a business level but also on a personal level, which takes the relationship to a higher level. It is useful for building bonds and helps employees find common ground.

Presentation Skills: A busy corporate executive’s day is filled with meetings, video conferences and, of course, presentations. It can be a presentation of ideas, information, or product details, either to an internal team or to a potential customer. A good presenter uses anecdotes, stories, and references to make a powerful and moving presentation. The whole focus is on getting the desired result by influencing the audience in a positive way and it is part of effective communication skills. Eye contact with the audience, a relaxed attitude and a dash of humor are important ingredients of a memorable presentation.