Communication is the most important skill
I used to be a poor communicator. I deliberately went into engineering because I was told in high school that I could spend all day solving math and logical problems. Whoever described engineering to my guidance counselor couldn’t have been more wrong.
I quickly learned that being technically strong wasn’t enough to do well at work. I had to become a good communicator — both verbally and in writing.
Why Communication Matters
If you’ve ever worked on a project, or even a simple task, that went off the rails, chances are the issue wasn’t a lack of talent. It was a lack of communication. More specifically, good communication.
Good communication is the invisible thread that keeps everything in a workplace moving smoothly. When it breaks, things start to unravel fast.
Strong communicators rise faster. They’re seen as reliable, organized, and leadership-ready. But more importantly, they make their teams better. Whether it’s sharing ideas clearly, giving feedback, or asking for help, communication is what turns individual effort into collective progress.
How to Improve
It’s easy to say you need to “be a better communicator.” It’s much harder to actually become one. Here are the steps that worked for me, and truthfully, I still consider myself in the learning phase.
1. Identify your weak points.
Start with the feedback you keep hearing from peers or managers. That’s probably where you need the most work. Maybe you’re too vague when asking questions, maybe you talk too much without saying much, or maybe you don’t even acknowledge requests with a simple “yes.” Review old feedback and be honest with yourself.
2. Revisit and review.
Go back to the emails, reports, or conversations that triggered that feedback. Read or recall them carefully and pinpoint where things went wrong. Understanding what led to the issue is key to avoiding it next time.
3. Revise your approach.
Rewrite, rephrase, and reframe. If possible, ask for feedback again on your revised version. If not, apply what you’ve learned in your next interaction. Small adjustments compound over time.
4. Take on new challenges.
Early on, I realized my opportunities to practice communication were limited. So, I started volunteering — to write, to present, to lead meetings, anything. It pushed me far outside my comfort zone and exposed me to all kinds of communication styles.
Even organizing a holiday lunch for a few dozen people became a valuable exercise in coordination, clear messaging, and follow-up. It all counts.
5. Keep the feedback loop alive.
Let people know you’re working on improving, and keep asking for feedback. The more you normalize those conversations, the easier they become and the faster you’ll grow.
6. Repeat.
When you start hearing positive feedback, you can stop asking for it every time, but don’t stop improving. Keep volunteering for new opportunities. Keep refining your tone, your structure, your timing. Communication isn’t a skill you master once; it’s something you keep sharpening your whole career.
Being a good communicator doesn’t mean being loud, polished, or perfect. It means being clear, thoughtful, and intentional. The technical skills you start with might open doors but communication is what keeps them open.
