In a world that seemingly pushes out new technologies every day, interpersonal skills can be pushed to the back of the mind or taken for granted. Continuous improvement of communication skills, however, can be an essential part of personal development, even for the most proficient communication specialists. 

Improving your communication skills

Exceptional communicators leverage their aptitude in conveying information. Yet expanding existing skill sets is critical as it can help build rapport and credibility, according to communication specialist Shirley Taylor. 

Some simple but effective ways to increase the effectiveness of message sharing include practising active listening and transparency, both of which build trust. This can not only improve abilities to tailor content to an audience, but also augment confidence in personal capabilities.

Why personal development matters

Refining social intercourse skills should be a life-long priority, whether it has been a week or ten years since entering the realm of communications. Despite the fact that the job requires excellence in the field, there is no such thing as perfection. 

Instead of approaching personal development as a one-off or intermittent task, August Turak suggests integrating personal and professional lives under the umbrella of one holistic mission. The entrepreneur and author of the book “Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks: One CEO’s Quest for Meaning and Authenticity” further claims that success originates from trying to become the best possible human. 

Keeping this in mind, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs takes a slightly different approach to personal development. According to him, a human needs to fulfil various stages of satisfaction to achieve ultimate personal growth:

1. Physiological needs such as food and shelter.
2. Safety and security of employment and family.
3. Love and belonging within a social circle of friends and family.
4. Self-esteem through a sense of achievement and respect from other.
5. Self-actualisation, where holistic views around morality and experience take centre stage. 

To effectively continue ameliorating, a communication specialist’s best friend – besides verbal and written correspondence – is time management and transferrable skills such as active listening. 

Ultimately, refining proficiency in conveying messages has a flow-on effect to all other areas of work. Linking the strive for perfection across both technical and personal skills should therefore be a priority for any high-achieving specialist.