Communication is a critical skill for success at work and in life. A Pew Research Center survey found adults rated communication the most important skill for getting ahead, above reading and writing, and Forbes listed verbal communication among the top 3 skills employers wanted in 2015 graduates. Business leaders also rate communication above coaching and global experience.
Last updated · Bodhih Insights team · reviewed by Siddharthan VGJ, Founder
At Bodhih, we talk to a lot of clients, and like in any consulting firm, a big part of what we do is answer their questions. These people have asked us many questions over the years but no one has ever asked us if Communication is an important skill. The answer “Yes” is quite clearly tattooed on everyones’ eyelids. Though there have been several studies conducted over the years to support the claim that Communication is a critical skill, I feel the need to emphasize it with some recent findings.
The Pew Research Centre recently asked adults to rate the most important skill (on a scale of 10) to help them get ahead in today’s world. Communication was rated the highest, even higher than really basic skills like reading and writing. (*Refer image 1)
Forbes recently declared the importance of communication skills in an article titled
“The 10 Skills Employers Most Want In 2015 Graduates”. The ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organization was rated among the top 3.
So there’s simply no debate on whether communication is one of the topmost skills required for success in all walks of life.
All this just goes to show how critical communication is but it still doesn’t answer the burning question. Is Communication a Soft Skill?
The answers from different sets of people point to an overwhelmingly positive response. Business Leaders believe that Communication plays a larger role in being effective compared to even coaching and global experience (Refer images 2 and 3).
- Vinesh Sukumaran, Principal Consultant
Quick answers
What evidence shows communication is a critical skill?
The post cites a Pew Research Center survey in which adults rated communication as the most important skill for getting ahead, ahead of reading and writing. It also cites a Forbes article on the skills employers most wanted in 2015 graduates, which ranked verbal communication inside and outside the organisation among the top 3.
