The most valuable skill in your bag

A golfer has 14 golf clubs of various sizes and use in his/her golf bag.  When asked which one is the most valuable, most, if not all golfers agree, it’s the putter.  It’s not the club that can hit the ball the farthest; it’s the one that accomplishes the end goal. We approach situations in our lives on a daily basis and applying the right skill to make the best of the situation is essential.  There is one skill that is the most valuable skill in your bag and if used correctly brings success.  This skill is communication. Communication is the art of listening, speaking, conveying, and creating.

Communicating effectively in any environment is a skill that is both profitable and powerful.

The very first ingredient in communicating effectively is listening.  Listening is a very powerful part of the communication skill set.  Try this at your next event; Start a conversation by asking a question and don’t stop asking relevant questions until the conversation ends.  End the conversation with “It was nice talking to you”. You will be seen as an effective conversationalist by only asking questions and listening.  Listening communicates that you value what others have to say.  You want to hear and understand their viewpoint.  It communicates, “let’s make this a team project, let’s win one for all."  We sometimes feel that the more we say, the more we are respected or if we have a comment about everything then we will be seen as very knowledgeable.  Actually, it’s quite the contrary.

The next ingredient in communicating effectively is solution-oriented communication.  Being an effective communicator involves communicating the challenges of the day to your team AND motivating your team to specific action(s).  However this is half utilization of the effective skill.  An effective communicator can communicate the issue but he/she can also communicate the solution just as effective.  Don’t just communicate the complaints/challenges about a situation, communicate a solution and people will want to hear what you are saying.  Solution-oriented communication is the skill set that makes a well rounded leader.  How many people do you know that have an answer to everything but the situation or those that have a situation for every answer?  An effective communicator can find (listening) the answer to every situation and can communicate the details of the challenge effectively to the team.

What are your passions?  Can you communicate your passions in as few words as possible?  Can you listen to your teammates long enough to find YOUR passion in THEIR words?  If you can do these things, you will be well on your way to building successful teams. People will seek to work with you because they know you will value their contribution and somehow you will find a common or acceptable ground that the team can rally around and make success happen.  You will be sought after as a valued team member and leader.

One of the overlooked qualifications listed on every employment criteria is effective communication skills.  The technical aspects of a job can be learned, however one has to come to the table with the communication skills to navigate the business and create successful teams.  Many times we come to new jobs with all the skills and experience imaginable but we cannot get anything meaningful accomplished because we do not possess the ability to communicate effectively, build cohesion and gather support among our team.  Without effective communication skills, we become the person that is not the “right fit."

Increase your chances of success by becoming an effective communicator.  Sharpen the most valuable skill in your bag.  Become a better listener and more solution oriented.  Practice! Practice! Practice!

   Effective communication in any Environment is Essential to success

Look for my next post "The best leaders are in Kindergarten"


Future post “Key phrases that defuse conflict”

The value of life and online learning

My wife is a graduate with high honors from Broward College, earning an AA degree in 1996. Years later we saw the possibility that she could achieve her life-long dream of receiving a BA degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee Florida, over 400 miles away. She could take advantage of the 2+2 agreement between State Universities and Community Colleges and attend Florida State totally online. She started her junior year at FSU and our daughter started her freshman year at Tallahassee Community College. Their lives would converge 4 years later at a special ceremony.

Watching my wife study, take class after class, exams, and earn great grades was priceless. Her dream of attending this great University was coming true and she did not have to set foot on the campus. She was the leader of this vision, passionate about this direction and disciplined to see it through. I was glad to follow and be a support of such a passionate leader.

Hurricane Wilma disrupted our lives temporarily. We were divinely protected and our recovery was indeed by the hand of providence. During the power outage my wife had an exam. The mobility of online learning did not restrict us to a campus classroom. We needed an outlet to power her laptop campus. We went to my in-laws in Lakeland, Florida and she took her exam and passed. Lakeland became her campus!!

Graduation day was incredible!! For the first time we were on the campus of Florida State University, not as parents in the past with our daughter,  but as a proud husband and one of the graduates. She graduated summa cum laude with a double major and a minor. It was only 4 months after graduation that she was able to apply for a promotion. It was after achieving this lifelong dream that she received the motivation and the added credential to be announced as the new manager in her department. The congratulatory email read that she was a graduate of Florida State University. Her salary increase was incredible!!

Online learning is a great opportunity to enhance the quality of your life and strengthen your leadership skills for that next level position. It provides the convenience of your campus and your time. Take the lead in your life and go in the direction of your dreams. What will your next job say about you?

      An Enthusiastic approach to your Education can lead to Elevation in your career pursuits.

Look for my next post “The most valuable skill in your bag”