By Paa Kwesi FOLSON
The truth is, the greatest resource/asset of every company is its human resource. Essentially, the main goal of every organisation is to ensure its people are as productive as possible, so being productive is then the secret to excel in your career.
But before I reveal what the soft skill is, let’s take a moment to understand what it truly means to be productive. The word productive comes from the word produce, which originates from the Medieval Latin term producere, meaning “lead”. Isn’t that fascinating? That means in order to be productive, you must learn to lead; so being productive isn’t just about getting things done, it’s truly about leading.
However, the soft skill I’m talking about is the cornerstone of everyone that leads, and it is communication. However, to be more specific, this skill is effective communication.
Effective communication is the foundation of leadership and productivity. It’s the ability to convey information clearly, listen actively and engage others in a way that drives action and results.
Influence is the key ingredient in effective communication; anyone who is an effective communicator automatically becomes influential. Without it, productivity falters, misunderstandings arise and progress slows. When you communicate effectively, you ensure your message is received and understood; and you facilitate collaboration that leads to solutions.
To understand just how powerful effective communication can be, let’s look at a real-world example of how it saved lives and ensured success under pressure: The Apollo 13 Mission.
In 1970, the Apollo 13 Mission faced a critical situation when an oxygen tank exploded, threatening the lives of the astronauts aboard. NASA’s ground control and the astronauts – Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert – had to communicate flawlessly to overcome the crisis. Despite the pressure, they maintained calm and precise communication, relaying vital information about their conditions.
Through effective dialogue, both teams – those in space and on Earth – collaborated to come up with innovative solutions to fix the spacecraft’s problems. The result? Against all odds, the crew was brought back to Earth safely, proving that in moments of extreme pressure, the power of clear and effective communication can mean the difference between life and death. Now, let’s explore how you can apply this to your own professional life. There’s a simple formula you can use to ensure your communication is as effective as possible:
Clarity + Conciseness + Connection = Effective Communication
Let us break it down:
- Clarity: Ensure your message is clear and easy to understand. Avoid jargons or complicated language that could confuse the recipient. The goal is for your recipient to grasp your message quickly and without ambiguity.
- Conciseness: Time is valuable, and so is the attention span of your audience. Get to the point without over-explaining. Convey your message in a brief yet comprehensive manner, ensuring that all key details are included without unnecessary fluff.
- Connection: Effective communication isn’t just about delivering information; it’s about building relationships. Make sure your message resonates with the recipient and addresses their concerns or needs. Active listening, empathy and feedback are all part of fostering a deeper connection with your audience.
When you master this formula, you’ll become an effective communicator; which can easily make you more productive and influential within your organisation. Mastering effective communication can propel your career in ways you might not have imagined. And one of the best ways to further elevate your ability is through public speaking.
Why? Because effective communicators don’t just work behind the scenes. They take centre-stage when necessary, clearly articulate their ideas and engage their teams with clarity.
If you want to continue rising in your career and further develop your leadership capacity, learning how to speak with confidence and influence is crucial. You’ll need to consistently show up, share your insights, and drive others to action whether it’s in meetings, presentations or even one-on-one conversations.
As one of the sought-after communication and public speaking coaches, I’ve seen the power of public speaking in making professionals stand out, enhance their leadership and propel their careers forward. Public speaking doesn’t just improve your ability to convey ideas; it boosts your confidence, establishes you as an authority in your field and helps you lead teams with greater impact. If you want to master effective communication and transform your career, public speaking is an indispensable skill to develop.
Effective communication and public speaking are vital tools for any professional looking to be viewed as productive, and it can take your career to the next level. Start mastering these skills today, and you’ll see the results in how you lead, how you collaborate and how you grow.
>>>the writer is an award-winning public speaker, multi-disciplinary business maverick, entrepreneur and coach. He is the Founder & Director of Revolead Solutions Limited and a Certified Performance Coach from a respected coaching institution based in Florida, USA. He is well-known for organising intensive workshops and conferences for executives, leaders, working professionals and the youth. Connect with Paa Kwesi Folson on linkedIn to book a corporate training session.
