Communication tops critical skills list – again.
The requirement for comms skills tops the 2024 Most In-Demand LinkedIn skills research It’s staggering to think that this is the second year running where this has been the case, and that all 10 dimensions illuminated in the report are impacted in some way by good communication. The case for good communication is hardly a new one. Recent studies have shown that 70% of global employers state communication as the most desirable skill for new hires. We all know that communication skills can help drive meaningful change, productivity and impact. They improve confidence, influence, relationships and connection.According to CMS Wire, 97% of workers believe that communication impacts tasks every day. Why is it then, that the way we teach communication is yet to really hit the mark?I believe that there are a few key factors to consider. Since the pandemic, when remote working became a ‘thing’, we have struggled to replace the unique energy and sense of rapport and connection we get from face-to-face meetings. We’ve begun to lose our ability to ‘read the room’ in the way we used to. The Training Programmes that many Learning and Development departments and training companies run has not kept pace with the way we now like to learn. We live in a distracted, fast-paced VUCA world where time and attention is an extremely valuable currency. We need to understand what learners want, make content role-specific and relevant, and ensure that they can consume material in a way that works best for them. There is only one way to find this out, and that’s to ASK!Finally, in a disconnected world we crave one thing – connection. According to re-employability, “People who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression. Moreover, studies show they also have higher self-esteem, greater empathy for others, are more trusting and cooperative and, as a consequence, others are more open to trusting and cooperating with them. In other words, social connectedness generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional, and physical well-being.”What can we do? At Comms Lab we believe in the power of communication and connection above all else. Humans thrive in a connected environment. They perform better and are overall much happier and in better health. Our courses address this pinch-point head on, by giving you the tools, behaviours, strategies and practical experiences so that you can take what you’ve learnt and apply it to both your personal and professional relationships – and to increase your levels of self-awareness around these critical skills. Contact me for more info and to set up a time to chat. I NEED YOUR HELP, ALISON
