1 Why Communication Skills Matter

Communication Affects How You See Yourself and Others

We all need to communicate. Communication means sharing ideas and understandingwith other people (Williams & Sonja, 2022). You share your ideas through the words you choose and the way you speak or write. Imagine if you couldn’t ask for help, share a story, or tell someone how you feel. Life would likely feel confusing and frustrating. You wouldn’t be able to ask for help or understand what other people needed.

Your communication style also reveals a lot about who you are. Maybe you enjoy writing or feel comfortable speaking in front of a group—or maybe those things make you nervous. Maybe someone has pointed out your grammar, pronunciation, or accent. All of these experiences shape how you feel about communicating. And how you communicate—through language, tone, texting style, even the clothes or music you choose—shape how others see you. These choices express parts of your identity and also offer others clues about who you are.

Communication also helps you understand other people. When you listen closely or read carefully, you take in more than just words. Tone of voice, body language, and writing style all reveal a person’s personality, values, and ideas. Paying attention in this way is a key part of being a strong communicator.

Communication Helps You Learn

No one becomes a strong communicator overnight. Just like learning to ride a bike or send a clear text message, speaking and writing well don’t happen all at once. They take time, practice, and patience.

You build your skills step by step. You might start by having casual conversations, then build confidence by speaking up in class and later, giving full presentations. Writing skills are learned by reading, thinking critically, writing your ideas down, and then revising until you are satisfied your meaning is clear.

The best way to grow these skills is by paying attention. Listen to strong speakers. Notice how strong writers express ideas. Learn from the feedback you get from your teachers and classmates as you study, and use their suggestions to improve.

Don’t worry up if your first presentation or writing draft isn’t perfect—few are. Keep working until your message is clear.

Good communication is important in almost every job—and in building better relationships. Being prepared helps you make the most of every opportunity. And every time you speak or write clearly, your’re making progress.

Your Communication Represents You— And the People You Represent

The way you communicate shapes how others see you. It also reflects on the people around you—your teachers, your workplace, your friends, and your family. When you speak and write clearly and professionally, you show that you’re respectful, capable, and trustworthy. That leaves a strong impression and helps you succeed.

Good communication matters now, and in the future. Whether you’re building relationships, applying for jobs, or making a difference in your community, strong communication skills will help you achieve your goals.

Employers Value Communication Skills

Clear speaking and writing skills are at the top of almost every employer’s wishlist. In fact, many business leaders invest in communication coaching to keep improving—even at the highest levels. Strong communication shows you can think clearly, build trust, and represent your team well. That’s why it’s one of the first things employers look for.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (2021), the five most wanted personal skills or qualities are:

Activity 1.1 | Skills Employers Seek (NACE)

Strong communication skills can set you apart. If you can speak and write clearly, you’ll be more likely to get hired, get promoted, and earn people’s trust. Every workplace needs good communicators—no matter what job you’re aiming for. The better you get at expressing your ideas, the more doors you’ll open.

Attribution

This section was adapted from Chapter 1.3 “Importance of Good Communication Skills” in Fundamentals of Business Communication, 2nd Edition, and is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

References

References are at the end of this chapter.