Effective Communication
People. Can’t live with them. Can’t live without them. That’s what makes communication so key. Not only does communication impact understanding, but it impacts how much you like, respect, trust and even achieve.
By now, you might be asking yourself: Why is this business administration professor talking about communication instead things like accounting, economics, marketing, finance, human resources, operations, business law, risk, decision modeling and strategy?
I have an easy answer for that question, and it’s become my motto for my students: You need BOTH hard skills and soft skills to survive in this world, especially if your world is business. (I use “business” as a broad term. You wouldn’t think of a church as a business, but I promise you that a church is indeed a business. Likewise, you may not think of a small liberal arts college as a business, but I absolutely assure you that it, too, is a business. What do churches and small liberal arts colleges have in common with large corporations? It’s simple. They must create value to survive. We’re talking authentic, true value achieved through well-crafted and well-executed strategy. Now ask yourself this question: Can you create value without effective communication?)
Those of us who pride ourselves in knowing the hard skills can often lack the soft skills necessary to effectively (and, yes, efficiently) execute. Likewise, those of us who pride ourselves in the soft skills can often lack the hard skills to do the same (although for different reasons). Even if your only goal is to make your life easier, honing communication skills is key. Trust me from personal experience when I say this: The more effective your communication skills, the easier your life will be.
Indeed, communication is one of the most underappreciated and challenging skills facing us today. Failing to communicate effectively can result in legal ramifications, lost revenue, misery and ulcers. So, here’s what I preach to students until the cows come home. Hone your skills. Even if you’re the smartest person in the room, that doesn’t mean you’re the best communicator. You might think you are, but you’re probably not.
Ultimately, yes, some people communicate better than others. Some have the gift of gab. Some can stand before an audience and not sweat a drop. With others, words flow from their pens effortlessly. Nevertheless, we all have room to improve. Improving communication skills is and always shall be an ongoing process.
That all said, I thought I’d share some principles of communication that I’ve devised for my students. Granted, you won’t know what I’m referencing in some of them (for that, you have to take my class!), but at least I’m giving away one trick of the trade. You’ll notice that I grouped my catchy phrases in 3’s. Why is that? Things that come in 3’s tend to stick better.
The beginning, the middle, the end.
Ethos, Pathos, Logos.
The Holy Trinity.
People like 3’s. It’s as simple as that.
Danielle (Benson) Woodward ’88
