preview

The Importance of Improving Communication Skills in the Business World

Good Essays
My biggest challenge while trying to move up the corporate ladder is interpersonal communication with co-workers and presentation speeches in front of the owners and financial managers. During my childhood, I did not have the opportunity to communicate with my parents or examples of loud arguments and negative personal attacks. Humans develop language and social skills from its surroundings so I guess I can blame mine on my dysfunctional family. At least I did almost five years ago. When the Director of Finance promoted me to senior accountant, his only constructive criticism was to attend different communication courses to groom me for the Assistant Director of Finance position.
The frustration of feeling misunderstood and being
…show more content…
Even in the present day, people are judged by the color of their skin and in the corporate world by gender. I don’t have to go far for a great example. In my corporate world, being a Caucasian woman is like fighting an uphill battle. No matter how many classes I complete, it does not stop others from asking and responding defensively or seeing me as a threat.
Now, I find myself in a conflict with some of the male directors, which affects my emotions, mental state, and personal beliefs. It may be a result of an individual's perceptual and personal discomfort. “Style, selective perception, halo effect, poor attention and retention, defensiveness, close mindedness, insufficient filtration are the Individual or Psychological barrier”. (Jain, 2009)
A list of the do’s for breaking the barrier:
• Allow employees access to resources, self expression and idea generation.
• Express your expectations to others.
• Use less of absolute words such as "never", "always", "forever", etc.
• Be a good, attentive and active listener.
• Filter the information correctly before passing on to someone else.
• Use specific and accurate words which audiences can easily understand.
• Try and view the situations through the eyes of the speaker.
• Maintain eye contact with the speaker and make him comfortable.
• Write the instructions if the information is very detailed or complicated.
• Oral communication must be clear and not
Get Access