HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPEVINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
Last Sunday’s column was about the importance of soft skills; and how, when coupled with hard, technical skills, the combination was what workforce solutions firms were looking for in top-rated work placement candidates. The consensus was that individuals in possession of both sets of skills were the ones that highly regarded companies were looking for, and ready to invest in.
I mentioned what these soft skills were, and let’s talk today about communication skills. By this we’re referring to clear, concise, effective communication, and that isn’t a given, or as easy as it sounds. It’s all well to acknowledge the need for this set of skills, and call them an important adjunct to one’s technical skills. But have we ever put the effort to check if we truly possess these skills, and can display them, at the drop of a pin, in situations that call for them?
Again, in my long history of employment with various media platforms, and working with sales and marketing teams, I’m struck by how often I’ve encountered people who know their stuff inside out, and can practically recite them in their sleep, but fail to possess the skills to be an effective communicator, and yet think they’re doing fine.
If they’ve memorized the presentation decks, it’s often recited by rote, and sounds very much like a drone. During the health crisis and shift to online meetings, this drone effect would be exacerbated, and it didn’t surprise me to find how so many in the midst of the presentation part, would turn off their videos with the excuse of WiFi signal. For me, the telltale sign of them reaching for their device right before switching off their video, said it all - that the one presenting, had lost his or her audience.
Then, there are the go-to’s of our individual speech patterns. Most everyone will have a ‘tell’, what they turn to when they’re grasping for the next set of words, or giving themselves time to think on what to say. That’s human nature. The problem arises when we’re not aware of how frequently we resort to it in the course of our presenting.
I myself will raise my hand and admit guilty as charged on this one. I’ll replay and listen to talks I’ve done, and every so often, I’ll detect my utilizing an ‘ummm’. Someone I know will resort to ‘ayan’, and it’s how frequent it’s used which can be distracting for the listener. These are little things that do impact on just how effective we are as communicators, and can be make or break factors for our audience’s attention.
Issa Litton and a 1Lit post - how the communication skills modules have been stressing her 5 C’s, for years now.
My good friend Issa Litton is a well-known corporate and lifestyle host for physical and online events, and during the pandemic, she branched out to offering modules on communication skills - feeling that what she had learned and amassed through her more than 20 years of experience could be of help to marketing and sales teams. Her module isn’t about the content of what one has to communicate, but how to be at your best when doing so. I’m simplifying the module, but she talks about the five C’s of Competence, Clarity, Connection, Carriage, and Consistency, and provides tips and exercises on how to improve on these five - insisting that these skills can be acquired through practice.
Bear in mind that one can have the gift of gab, be entertaining, but fall flat in terms of retaining what has to be said. So it’s putting all the C’s together that’s all important, and not just being in possession of one or two of them. Or, one can be competent and clear, but if lacking in the connection aspect, then one isn’t convincing, and ends up sounding like a machine.
This segues nicely to the new book of John Aguilar, The Art and Science of the Pitch. As the creator and host of CNN Philippines’ The Final Pitch, John has seen it all. And it’s from the years of producing the reality pitching show, that he now shares through the book, the lessons, tips, insights, and techniques that contribute to the successful pitch.
The cover of the recently published John Aguilar book.
What’s rewarding and informative about the book is that John has both an East and West perspective on what works, aware of the cultural differences and nuances that can affect the outcome of any pitch, depending on which part of the world you’re operating from. He interviews investors, venture capitalists, conglomerates, start-ups, creatives, and even legal and financial experts, to tease out nuggets of wisdom for any aspiring entrepreneur.
John talks to success stories, and smartly approaches those who failed, in the hope that with hindsight, we can better appreciate what works, and what doesn’t. And in one chapter, John does discuss pitching style and storytelling technique. So here, is clear recognition of just how important communication is, among the soft skills we endeavor to acquire.
With both Issa and John, it’s about stressing that these are skills, not gifts. One can be really lucky and be gifted - but it’s encouraging to note that whether communicating or pitching; constant practice, dedication, and self-awareness, all go a long way in acquiring the skill set we aspire for.