When delivering a point, keep your explanation as short as possible.

COMMUNICATION skills simply do not refer to the way in which we communicate with another person. It encompasses many other things: the way in which we respond to the person we are speaking, body gestures including the facial ones, pitch and tone of our voice and a lot of other things.

And the importance of communication skills is not just limited to the management world, since effective communication skills are now required in each and every aspect of our life.

However, in this article we will discuss the importance of communication skills in two areas, namely business and relationships.

First, let us concentrate on the importance of communication skills in business.

We can measure the importance of communication skills in the business sector when we take a look at job advertisements. There is little chance that you will come across an advertisement which does not mention that candidates should have good communication skills.

Perhaps this is the only criterion that creates a positive impact when a person goes for a job interview. This is because technical qualifications are likely to be more or less the same for the candidates.

Without effective communication skills, a person may find it impossible to climb up the corporate ladder.

Promotions come to those who can communicate effectively at all levels, from senior management level to the lowest employee.

According to Singaporean freelance writer Tang Pin-Ji, one of the tricks to effective public speaking lies in laying the groundwork even before you prepare the content of your speech.

“For example, it is good to know how your location is laid out, in order to gauge how far your voice needs to be projected to be audible. Understanding your audience is equally important, as you need to be aware of the appropriate terms and delivery style that you should use on them to capture their attention,” she advises.

You might find it handy to memorise the first few lines of your speech to overcome initial jitters and set yourself in the right direction, she suggests. Your following content should then be arranged into an outline to keep yourself focused and organised.

“When delivering each point, keep your explanations as simple as possible. You must sustain your audience’s interest at this point in time, especially now that you’re at the main part of your presentation,” she adds.

Last but not least, always, always remember to relax by smiling and breathing deeply! To your audience, you’ll definitely appear much more cool, composed and of course, professional.

Several local organisations also offer workshops that help you develop good communication skills. On January 19, for example, the NUS Alumni Toastmasters Club is hosting the 3-hour “Eloquence Essentials 2008” Speech Confidence Workshop.

As for communication within relationships, it should be remembered that maintaining good relationships is a way to a healthy lifestyle, and a good relationship can only be maintained by maintaining healthy communication with our near and dear ones.

They are the ones we stay with on a regular basis. They are also the ones who see us at our best as well as our worst.

Good communication skills help the relationships to develop along good lines, and ensure that arguements and disagreements are kept to a minimum. Good communication skills will avoid arguements and insults.

Another important part of communication in relationships is taking the initiative.

Do not wait for your best friend to call you after a long break. Instead take the phone and also take initiative to start the conversation.

Often people have this problem while communicating, which comes from fear. They always think a thousand times whether to approach a person or not. But a person with good communication skills is always the first to start a conversation.

Given the importance of communication skills in both the personal and the corporate world, any individual who want to make progress with their life should develop it.

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