The most powerful soft skill that changes everything…..

If you master one skill in your life make it communication!

I find it odd that the most accessible and powerful skill anyone could hope to master is perceived as a soft skill. Good communication is the key to successful relationships in all aspects of life; without relationships we are alone in our personal and professional lives. Perhaps one may think having a voice, speaking and communicating with others has a marginal impact upon our success in life? I argue that you couldn’t be more wrong and that no human, or anything created or conceived by the human mind, can thrive without interaction and communication. After all, most of what we see and interact with in our daily lives today was birthed by ideas shared in a conversation. So, if you want success in your personal and professional life, master your communication and connect truthfully.

Communication comes in many forms such as physical, vocal, written and visual. Here, I want to focus on Speaking. Spoken word can be the most powerful tool we possess if we take some time to work out how to use it properly. Powerful spoken communication requires the speaker to take a step back and think about how words affect the listener. A speaker must know the audience, find common ground and approach them with honesty as well as a desire to interact and include those who are listening. Nobody likes to be talked to, patronised or excluded, especially when they have given their time to be present and listen.

It is never about you! A collection of ill prepared, ignorant, self obsessed words will not help you get what you really want or help the listener to understand or even care about you or what you have to say. Communication is not a one way street and your words mean nothing without someone to hear them so, value and respect whoever you are talking to or with.

In a world full of inauthentic showcasing, irresponsible statements and falsehood, your voice, your truly personal, honest, unique and identifiable voice, is more important than ever. Slow down, reflect, understand yourself, listen, appreciate and respect those listening to you and, above all…..Speak so that people don’t just hear words but truly hear what you want to say. When you do this, people will listen and you will be on your way to harnessing the most powerful skill of all!