The Art of Communication

Speeches: the bane of our existence; the assignment we had all been dreading. We came to class on the 16^th trying our hardest not to think about the assignment Dr. McCullough would soon hand out. We came to class on the 23^rd nervous and not nearly well enough prepared.

Speeches: an asset to our leadership; the assignment that would give us a glimpse how important a skill communication can be. We left class on the 23^rd with a deeper understanding of the importance, as well as the difficulties, of public speaking and communication.

This lesson, though nerve-wracking to learn, is invaluable. Communication is a skill that can make or break a leader – or any person, for that matter.

Our talents for communication are what allow us to convey our ideas and aspirations in a way that others will understand and accept. Our lack of talent for communication is what hinders our social interactions.

I had a professor not too long ago who was one of the most opinionated, catty, and untrustworthy adults I had met in a while. He can gossip with the best of them, and then turn around and make his words in to respectful, though somewhat vague, comments. He hides what he is really thinking by saying it in way that can be interpreted in either direction. He is effective through ambiguity and his skill with this style of communication is honed to an extreme. Whether this is a good use of communication skills is another story. It seems to create a rocky and unbalanced leader-follower relationship. But the use nonetheless is an asset to his personal success.

I had another professor who could do almost the opposite. He is reserved, honest, and helpful. He is able to listen intently, read how the other is acting, and respond in a manner that is fitted to the situation. He does not say everything he is thinking; he does not hide what he is thinking through his word choice – but he says everything that is important. His skill with communication has been perfected in a different manner – one that seems to develop a more trusting and comfortable leader-follower relationship.

Though one example is clearly more preferable than the other, both show how much of an impact our communication skills have on our success and our effectiveness as leaders. They are an art which must be developed and polished in order to best suit one’s needs. We can use them to mask our inabilities, inefficiencies or imperfections; we can use them to enhance our qualities, strengths, and skills. Understanding the importance of communication skills and how they are put to use can be a great benefit to a growing leader, challenging though that task may be. Communication skills are integral and a part of the entire leadership process.