We live in a world where we are reliant on one another, and day-to-day interactions with others are unavoidable. Whether at one’s workplace, school, or just with friends and family, communication plays an important role in one’s everyday life.
Communication happens everyday everywhere. Consider a typical school day – from checking emails/IVLE, to sharing of ideas for projects, to attending lectures, simultaneously texting friends, to discussing where to have lunch, to ordering food etc – every situation involves communication with others. Effective communication skills are thus essential, as it helps me convey my thoughts and feelings in a clear and concise manner. It helps me to get what I want. Communication isn’t just about me being able to express myself, but also others receiving the correct message.
As communication is a two-way process, it is important to note that we play both the sender and the receiver role. Misinterpretation of messages can often lead to dire consequences such as conflict between individuals. In the working world, not understanding what your clients want may result in the loss of a business deal. Effective communication reduces confusion and misunderstandings. Furthermore, I wish to work in the psychology/counseling field in the future. It is thus especially important for me to be able to understand my clients and the problems they might present. I therefore hope to not only be an effective sender, but receiver too.
We live in a technologically advanced world where there is a vast array of communication methods, e.g. facebook, text messages, emails etc. Albeit the increased convenience they bring about, they also create more ambiguity and room for misinterpretation – hence the need for even more effective communication skills.
Humans are innately social animals. Our live depends on others. We build organizations, cooperate with one another to achieve goals, interact with one another to from social networks. I see myself depending a lot on others everyday. Effective communication is hence vital in helping me build meaningful relationships with others and maintain social ties.
To sum up, I believe that possessing effective communication skills helps me to:
1) Be understood
2) Understand others
3) Build and maintain social ties
