Why effective communication skills are important for me

Publish or Perish- so goes the saying. In fact, I do feel that today, more so than some years back, effective communication skills are more of a necessity than an option. Today, there are many ways misunderstandings can occur- a hastily crafted text or a curt email might have unforeseen consequences.

My emphasis on developing effective communication skills is two-pronged. Firstly, it helps me to stand out among the crowd. During my selection for Industrial Attachment in a multinational software company, I was interviewed along with five other NUS students by a German recruiter. It thus came as a pleasant surprise when I was offered the position.

Some months later when I got familiar with my department, I approached the recruiter and wanted to know what set me apart from the other students. His first words were- “You were darn confident.” He went on to elaborate how some of the others stuttered, hesitated and was unassuming about their accomplishments and how I was articulate and carried myself with a “good grace”. His words led me to believe that while oral communication is important, non-verbal gestures goes a long way in establishing rapport as well.

I also believe that effective communication skills are tools for personal growth. How much of the world can I know about by myself? It is through knowing the right people I can enrich my experience and get a fresh outlook. It would be definitely a bonus if the person is from a different culture!

In my opinion, developing effective communication skills is a constantly evolving process and requires active learning. I hope to learn more on effective communication though ES2007S- something while called a soft skill, is definitely worth the effort.