The Language of Success: Unleashing the Power of Communication Skills for Professional Success
In order to achieve success in life, students must groom their personalities in such a way that they are received with open arms in any profession they choose to be in. Whether their end goal is to be a corporate employee as an engineer or manager, lawyer or psychologist, scientist or professor, possessing good communication skills and a pleasing personality is imperative. Students must begin working on developing their strengths and working on their weaknesses from an early stage. They should identify their area of interest and cultivate their passions. Building confidence by overcoming self-doubt and fear takes one to heights one has aspired for. The world today offers ample opportunities in varied fields, and students who strive towards achieving the goals they have set for themselves need to steadily groom themselves in the direction of achieving them. With rapid globalisation there has been a visible increase in the number and size of professional organisations and the number of students moving to different parts of the world has also seen an enormous increase. In these organisations, it is effective communication that propels the process of smooth management of tasks and helps professionals operate smoothly in all managerial tasks like planning, executing, and controlling. Both effective leaders and strong team players understand that their career curve relies heavily on this component. There is no denying that technical know-how and years of experience in an organization teach employees a number of things, but effective communication helps them touch the zenith of success in their organisation.
Professionals spend a large amount of their time sharing ideas, teaming up and collaborating on projects, planning processes, and delivering presentations. Communication also plays a very important function in problem-solving and decision-making. If not communicated properly even important decisions may not be interpreted well and thereby, outcomes contrary to what is expected may lead to huge organisational losses. Every organisation that understands the pivotal role of good communication and ensures that the employees do so thrives well. There is hardly any activity in the business world where one can disregard its importance and then survive.
Since it plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of an organisation, the need to acquire good communication skills is paramount. As a result, universities, colleges, and other centres of education have also realised the need to impart courses on communication skills that include aspects like having a good command over language, analytical skills, business writing, technical communication, proposal writing, and presentation skills. They are aware that these skills are the prerequisites that are fundamental to all professions.
Communication, as we all know, takes place through different mediums, i.e., through verbal or non-verbal exchanges; therefore mastering them is no longer an option; in fact, it has become a necessity. One must put in a conscious effort to use language effectively and with precision. At The NorthCap University, two specific courses on mastering communication skills are offered to all registered students. The courses aim to make students proficient in all four aspects of communication, namely reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Classroom lectures by eminent faculty coupled with practice sessions in the labs help students improve their communication skills considerably. NCU offers state-of-the-art language laboratories where the students get to work on their MTI, engage in several speaking activities such as self-introductions, group discussions, presentations, and short speeches, and practice working on their language aspects through numerous software-based exercises.
Due importance is given to making students understand the importance of personal appearance, facial expressions, posture, movement, eye contact, and gestures, which are very important components of nonverbal communication. Although nonverbal communication is often unplanned and spontaneous, students are taught to blend it with speech. They understand that many times, it has more impact than verbal speeches and helps one interpret the intent of the speaker and respond accordingly. Students are also taught to express their ideas carefully while including the seven c’s of communication and ensuring that communication has clarity, is concise, correct, concrete, complete, considerate, and courteous. They learn how to make good presentations and practice delivering them in the language laboratories. They are provided with personalised feedback on aspects such as their pitch, volume, pronunciation, pauses, body language, and other aspects of delivery to help them improve and perform better. They are also taught the technique of writing good business letters, emails, memorandums, proposals, and technical reports. These components are extremely essential when it comes to working in the corporate world. At The NorthCap University, the best private university in Gurgaon, proper stress is laid on making the students understand the importance of all aspects of communication.
While recruiting employees, the first thing that employers look for in a candidate is the ability to articulate and express. They would not like to hire employees who lack these essential skills; therefore, students must begin by identifying their areas of weaknesses and strengths and then target overcoming their weaknesses by gaining the required expertise through courses, workshops, training, etc. Through active learning, there is a possibility of tremendous growth. One must push oneself to participate in as many communication opportunities as possible and be open to receiving constructive feedback from instructors and peers. Passion and commitment to acquiring good communication skills lead to fruitful learning experiences and subsequent successful careers.
Authored By
Dr Shrutimita Mehta
Deputy Dean-Students’ Welfare
Associate Professor
Centre for Language Learning
Research Areas- Gender Studies, Feminist Writing, Diaspora Studies, Post-colonial Studies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrutimita-mehta-00992020b