Do you come across loud and clear?

Effective communication is an essential skill in the day and age that we live in.  Many people regard it as a 'soft skill' which is a nice to have competency in the workplace, but not necessarily a must have.  If one understands the importance of communication - meaningful engagement that involves active speaking and listening, that is,  the gap is half-way closed already.

When it comes to communication, what you say and what you don't say are equally important.  Body language is most often the 'picture that speaks a thousand words'.  We were all in situations where our partner would say "nothing is bothering me, I'm perfectly fine" while his/her facial expression and body language say that the exact opposite is true. 

Effective communication (or lack thereof) not only impacts on our business relations, but also on our family life and friendships.   Take Psychology Today's quick Communication Skill Test to determine what your communication competency level is at current.  It's way too important to regard it as a nice to have and not an essential skill. 

Remember, you have to engage meaningfully before the money can do the talking! ;-)

Other interesting reads:

• The Ten Commandments of Effective Communication by Martin Hahn
• Communicate: Improve Your Relationships With Effective Communication Skills by Elizabeth Scott, M.S.