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
