Communication is a foundational skill that everyone needs to excel in to get things done.
Before you get into the intricacies of corporate communications, think of communication as a tool that enables us, as humans, to accomplish everyday tasks and coexist in our communities.
It’s thus a foundational skill that everyone needs to finesse to expedite the pace of creation and enhance human relations.
We were privileged to have Selestine Njoga, a seasoned communication professional, walk us through Communication Skills Training with the graduates at St. Aloysius.
Being the speaker of the day, Selestine took charge of the class and administered unforgettable communication hacks, having begun the session by thwarting the belief that there are good communicators and those who are not any good at all.
“Communication is a skill, and anyone can learn it”. She assured the graduates.
She then established the need to communicate effectively within our communities.
She says, you shouldn’t miss an opportunity because you didn’t package yourself well. And how you communicate is a huge part of the package.
In this write-up, I’ll go over, albeit briefly, some of the areas she touched on that I feel the graduates should come back to.
Note: This’s not an attempt to summarize her entire session; just a few points I wrote down as the session progressed. To get everything from our speakers, attend our bi-weekly meetings.
The art of public speaking
Exploring the art of public speaking, she emphasized the need to be confident enough to speak your mind without fear of judgement.
“When you’re before the audience, you’re the boss!” She said, urging the graduates to walk heads high when called upon to speak.
She proceeded to outline practical tips for delivering impactful speeches. These include;
Preparation: Be prepared. Do your research about the subject, about the event you’ll be speaking at. The more prepared you’re, the better you’ll talk; preparedness enriches your talk but also allows your to connect better with the audience and boosts your chance of overall success.
Practice: You have to practice your talk before your big day. “It’s better to stammer before the mirror rather than stammering before the panel”. She notes.
Confidence: Marcus Garvey is known for his repatriation efforts, but I remember him for the most profound quote on confidence. He said, without confidence, you’re twice defeated in life, and I agree. Selestine too spoke against timidity.
Have content in the subject matter: Always know your stuff. Learn, do your research and be as equipped as you can in your subject matter. It’s amazing how confident you become when you know you have the right content in whatever you’re speaking about
Eye contact: Maintain eye contact. They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, and it’s true. Every good communicator maintains eye contact as it invites the audience to your speech. It shows you’re a confident, open person to converse with and trust.
Pause to refine your thoughts: Instead of using fillers like ‘so’, ‘um’, ‘ah,’ just pause and gather your thoughts. It’s better than using ‘filled pauses’ that make you seem unprepared and clueless about the subject.
Here’s a detailed article by Lauren Sergy on how to quit using the filled pauses in your speech.
Active listening
Active listening involves listening to what’s being said without judgement or interruption. You can make notes as the speaker speaks but don’t interrupt. You can also come back later to affirm the content from the speaker by asking relevant questions.
Active listening is an essential communication skill that enhances employability and improves one’s quality of relationships beyond the workplace. A husband who knows how to listen actively can lead his family effectively.
Active listening makes you an excellent communicator and a better human being.
In conclusion, communication goes beyond conveying information—it’s about building bridges, fostering understanding, and forging meaningful connections. Effective communication is a cornerstone of success, and thus a skill worth investing time and effort to develop.
As Mustardseed, we extend our gratitude to Selestine Njoga for her invaluable contributions to our graduates’ journey toward mastering the art of communication.
