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Good Communication Skills Needed to Succeed


By Ingrid Murro Botero

Allen and Dave Jorgenson have been friends since high school. Both have similar engineering degrees, good technical skills and strong work ethics. Both have similar jobs designing software for high-tech computer applications. Yet Mark has been promoted several times, and now earns $25,000 more than Dave.

The main difference between these two employees is that Mark has good communication skills. He speaks clearly and confidently, and can explain technical concepts in a way that is understandable to his colleagues and customers. Dave, on the other hand, is uncomfortable speaking in public, and generally resorts to technical jargon and lengthy pauses when he's presenting his ideas.

Mark DeMichele, president and ceo of Arizona Public Service (APS), believes that good communication skills are essential for employees at all levels of the organization. "Communication is the key to success," says DeMichele. "A ceo can have good ideas, a vision and a plan. But they also have to be able to communicate those plans to people that work for them. This is especially important in companies that are facing tough circumstances and have to turn themselves around."

The turn around that placed APS in the top five utility companies, two years ahead of their five-year plan, is accredited to DeMichele's continuos reinforcement of his vision and effective communication with his employees.

In today's environment effective communication skills are one of the primary predictors of success. All too often companies excel in providing training in technical disciplines to their employees and overlook the importance of communication skills training.

"To compete successfully in the 1990's, professionals must be good oral communicators," explains Janet Elsea, Ph.D., a president of communication skills in Phoenix. "Unfortunately, oral communication is not a skill that many professionals have learned, especially those in technical disciplines. Ironically, employees receive a great deal of training on technological aspects of their job, yet they spend two to four times as much time talking on the telephone as they do using any other technology - including computers and word processors."

To fine-tune your communications skills, Janet Elsea recommends that you study a videotape of yourself while speaking in public. Have a friend tape you leading a staff meeting or delivering an old speech. Then analyze the video tape carefully for the following items:

Non-verbal Characteristics. Like it or not, people's first impression of you is based on what they see. To get an idea of how you present yourself, turn off the sound on the video, and make notes of any non-verbal items that need improving. Beware ­ the result may be humbling! You may notice deficiencies in your clothing and accessories, posture and facial expressions, or gestures and eye contact. Develop a plan to correct your deficiencies. This plan may include exercising, losing weight, upgrading your wardrobe, improving your posture, or practicing making more meaningful gestures.

Verbal Characteristics. Your voice is a powerful method of communication that contributes 38% of the meaning in face-to-face interactions, and 70% to 90% in telephone conversations. To analyze your voice, turn off the picture on the video and listen to what you're saying. Are you speaking too quickly or too slowly? Does your voice have a pleasant range, volume and tone? Are you clear and precise when you're speaking? If you detect a problem, read aloud to improve your voice.

Your Message. Although we often concentrate on the content of our oral presentations, your words are worth only 7% of your impact in the first two to four minutes of new interactions. That's because your audience has so much information to take in from their eyes and ears. To analyze the content of your speech, turn the video's picture and sound back on, and listen carefully to your words. Make sure you've chosen words that are easily understood, and that your material is presented in a logical, easy to follow fashion.

Elsea recommends that you view presentations as an opportunity to enhance your image, increase your credibility, and serve your customers, clients and community. "Public speaking need not be a difficult, time-consuming, or anxiety-producing chore," says Elsea. "Rather ­ as with other responsibilities you undertake ­ it should be approached systematically and with confidence."

Ingrid Murro Botero is president of Murro Consulting Inc., a Phoenix management consulting and corporate outplacement firm.
 
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