“Your Hard skill will get you an interview but it is the soft skill that will get you the Job.”
I have always believed that knowing something and being able to communicate what you know are two different things. You may have excellent knowledge, technical skills, qualifications and experience, but if you cannot express your thoughts clearly, people may never understand your real potential.
Over the years, through my experience of teaching, interacting with students, working with professionals and speaking in public, I have realised that good communication is one of the most important skills a person can develop.
It is not only about speaking English well. Good communication means being able to express your thoughts clearly, listen carefully, speak with confidence and understand the person you are communicating with.
Communication Can Change the Way People See You
I have seen many talented people who hesitate when they have to speak in front of others. They know the subject very well, but because they are nervous or unable to express themselves properly, their knowledge does not come across.
On the other hand, a person with average knowledge but good communication skills can often make a much stronger impression.
This does not mean that communication can replace knowledge. Knowledge is important, but communication is the bridge through which your knowledge reaches other people.
As a teacher, I have experienced this many times. When you are teaching a subject, simply knowing the subject is not enough. You have to explain it in a way that the other person can understand. You have to use the right words, the right examples and sometimes even the right pause.
That is communication.
I Was Fortunate to Learn From Excellent Speakers
When I look back at my own career, I consider myself fortunate that I had opportunities to work with and interact with some excellent speakers and communicators.
Those interactions taught me things that I could not have learned simply by reading a book.
By observing how they spoke, how they presented their thoughts, how they used their voice, how they listened and how they connected with people, I gradually understood what makes communication effective.
More importantly, some of these people helped me identify my own weaknesses and encouraged me to improve my speaking skills.
Their guidance and feedback played an important role in developing my communication skills.
This experience also taught me an important lesson: we often don’t recognise our own communication mistakes until someone experienced points them out to us.
That is why having the right teacher or mentor can make such a big difference.
You Cannot Learn Speaking Skills Only From a Book
There is something about communication and speaking skills that I have learned through my years of teaching: you cannot become a good speaker simply by reading a book or watching videos.
Books and videos can certainly teach you the principles of communication. They can explain body language, vocabulary, voice modulation, presentation techniques and public speaking.
But knowing the technique and actually using it are two different things.
Speaking is a practical skill.
You have to speak.
This is why I believe that if someone seriously wants to improve their speaking and communication skills, having a good teacher or mentor can make a tremendous difference.
A teacher can listen to the way you speak and identify things that you may not notice yourself. Maybe you speak too fast. Maybe your voice is too low. Maybe you pause at the wrong places. Maybe you use unnecessary words. Maybe you lack confidence or your body language does not match what you are saying.
A book cannot listen to you.
A video cannot correct you while you are speaking.
A good teacher or mentor can.
I experienced this myself during my career. The opportunity to interact with experienced speakers and learn from their way of communicating helped me improve my own skills. That is why I strongly believe in learning through observation, practice and personal guidance.
Good Communication Is Important at Work
In professional life, communication becomes even more important.
Whether you are attending an interview, speaking to your boss, dealing with a client, giving a presentation or working with a team, your ability to communicate can directly affect your career.
I have noticed that people who communicate confidently are often able to present their ideas better. They can explain a problem, suggest a solution and convince others more effectively.
Imagine two employees have the same idea.
One says:
“I think maybe we can try this… I am not sure, but perhaps it could work.”
Another says:
“I believe this approach will work because it can save time and improve the process.”
The second person immediately sounds more confident and professional.
The idea may be exactly the same.
The difference is communication.
Speaking Well in Public Builds Confidence
Public speaking is another area where communication skills make a huge difference.
I have spent many years teaching and speaking in front of students. From my experience, I have seen that people who initially feel nervous about speaking can become much more confident with practice.
The first time you stand in front of an audience, you may worry about making mistakes. You may forget your words or feel that everyone is judging you.
But gradually, you learn something very important:
People are not looking for perfection. They want to understand what you have to say.
Once you stop worrying about making every sentence perfect and start concentrating on communicating your message, speaking becomes much easier.
Public speaking also teaches you how to control your voice, pace, body language and emotions. These skills are useful not only on a stage but in almost every part of life.
Good Communication Helps While Travelling
Many people don’t realise how useful communication skills are when travelling.
When you travel to another city or another country, you constantly have to communicate with people you have never met before.
You may need to ask for directions, book a hotel, order food, talk to a taxi driver, ask for help or solve an unexpected problem.
You don’t always need perfect English or perfect grammar.
What you need is the confidence to speak and the ability to make yourself understood.
I have personally found that when you communicate confidently and politely, people are generally more willing to help you.
Even if your language is not perfect, a friendly attitude, clear words and good listening can take you a long way.
Communication Is Also About Listening
One common mistake people make is thinking that communication means only speaking.
It doesn’t.
Good communication starts with good listening.
If you don’t listen properly, you may answer the wrong question, misunderstand someone’s requirement or miss an important part of a conversation.
In my experience, a good communicator is not necessarily the person who talks the most. It is often the person who knows when to speak, what to say and when to listen.
Listening also helps us understand people’s emotions and expectations. This becomes particularly important when teaching, working with clients or dealing with people from different backgrounds.
You Don’t Have to Be a Natural Speaker
I often tell people that communication is a skill, not a talent that only a few people are born with.
You can improve it.
You can start by speaking a little every day. Read aloud. Record your voice. Watch how good speakers communicate. Practise explaining an idea in simple words. Participate in discussions. Speak in front of a small group.
But don’t stop at watching and reading.
Get feedback. Practise with a teacher, mentor or someone who can honestly tell you where you need to improve.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
I have seen people become much better speakers simply because they kept practising.
The goal should not be to speak complicated English or use impressive vocabulary.
The goal should be to communicate clearly and confidently.
Communication Can Open Doors
In my years of teaching and interacting with people, I have come to believe that communication is one of those skills that keeps giving you benefits throughout your life.
It can help you get a job.
It can help you perform better at work.
It can help you make new connections.
It can make public speaking easier.
It can help you while travelling.
And most importantly, it can give you the confidence to express who you really are.
Your qualifications may tell people what you have learned.
Your experience may tell them what you have done.
But your communication skills often determine how effectively you can show them what you are capable of.
Looking back at my own journey, I feel that the people I met, the speakers I observed and the mentors who gave me feedback all contributed to the way I communicate today.
That is why I believe everyone, regardless of age or profession, should make an effort to improve their communication skills.
Because sometimes, the difference between having a good idea and getting someone to believe in that idea is simply the way you communicate it.
Speak clearly. Listen carefully. Be confident. Practise regularly and whenever possible, learn from people who communicate better than you.
