BUILDING POWER SKILLS Part 3 – Communication
As we continue to work our way through the essential Power Skills that make us more effective workers and leaders, this month we focus on our third category- Communication.
In the workplace, effective communication is essential for sharing information, building relationships, and achieving goals. But being a good communicator is not easy, especially since there are many ways to communicate.
What Are the Skills Associated with Communication?
Communication is a two-way street. We not only communicate when we make recommendations or give instructions to others, but also when we take instructions, ask questions for clarification, and listen to others so that all voices are heard.
Here are some of the key power skills that we have identified for Communication:
- Active listening – careful listening and attentiveness demonstrates your respect for others and reduces the possibility of misunderstandings
- Writing effectively– from formal reports to informal emails, writing clearly and concisely shows professionalism
- Speaking effectively – from presenting reports to chatting on the elevator, how we speak with others can help build their confidence in us
- Equity and inclusion – creating opportunities for all voices to be welcomed and valued builds trust and support
Why is the Ability to Communicate Effectively Important for Your Career?
The ability to communicate effectively can make you a strong team player and team leader because you will learn to hear and evaluate others’ viewpoints as well as articulate your own viewpoints in a respectful manner. These skills will help you develop professional relationships in a number of ways including by building self-awareness, listening, and being open to constructive feedback.
As you reflect on this Power Skill, ask yourself: How can I make a difference in my school or workplace, or any organization that I belong, by becoming a better communicator?
Much excitement and many thanks!
We were thrilled to hold our first high school workshop this month at Cristo Rey Research Triangle (CRRT) High School in Durham, NC.
CRRT is part of a network of private Catholic high schools that provide career-focused, college-preparatory education for youth in underserved communities. The Cristo Rey Network combines rigorous academic curricula with professional work experience through its Corporate Work Study program.
Our workshop focused on Informational Interviews. The students learned what these interviews involve, how to conduct them effectively, and how to use active listening to get the most out of the interview. Thanks to a dedicated group of professionals who volunteered their time, students were able to both deepen their understanding and gain practical experience by conducting two interviews themselves.
The informational interview workshop was a success for the students. Pre- and post-survey data showed that the average score for five questions about informational interviews increased from 3.25 to 4.25 (out of a 5-point scale) and that the percentage of students who expressed confidence that they knew what an informational interview is increased from 38% pre-workshop to 94% after the workshop.
The mission of Youth.Work.Connect. is to help high school youth from underserved communities build social capital to promote economic mobility. Social capital is built through networking and making connections. In the pre-workshop survey, when asked to explain the importance of informational interviews, no students mentioned networking or connections. Post-workshop, however, almost 44%of the students discussed the importance of building networks and connections.
The workshop would not have been successful without DaréKumolu-Johnson, Training Coordinator at Cristo Rey Research Triangle. Mr. K-J recruited professionals from a wide range of careers for the students to interview and led the workshop.
Finally, enormous thanks to Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School for supporting our work with the students!
LET’S STAY CONNECTED
We would appreciate your thoughts on our initiative and welcome opportunities to collaborate. You can reach us at info@youthworkconnect.org and we look forward to staying connected.
