The second skill that marks out those people who progress in careers compared to those who get stuck is communication. Sometimes people who are clearly intelligent, articulate and can put together a coherent argument are told their communication skills need to improve. Here are a number of pointers from my experience as to what might be going wrong.
Communication takes place via many channels and technology seems to increase the options all the time. We communicate face to face not only by talking, but with our body language, tone and expressions. We can also use email, telephones, websites, blogs, faxes, newsletters, letters and an ever increasing supply of new gadgets. We need to make sure we get the right channel for the target audience and the message. I think it is wrong to email or text news of a promotion, pay-rise or disciplinary action to someone, just as it would be wrong to text a partner to end a relationship.
A basic communication error in the work place is using inappropriate language, but one which can be overcome fairly easily. I would strongly advise people not to use text message language in emails, but use proper sentences. All work emails should be professionally written, as you never know whom they will get forwarded on to.
Consider the perspective of who you are communicating with. Someone external to your organisation will not know all the in-house jargon, acronyms and departments. So be respectful to them and explain your points without using them. People within your company in other teams or departments and at different levels in the hierarchy will all have alternative perspectives. They will be interested in what you do but in different aspects of it. Tailor the information you give to be in line with each individual's needs.
People have different preferences for receiving communication. I would suggest understanding these and using them to be more successful in getting your message across. Some people prefer background information before the point, some wish to hear the main point first and then will ask questions. Some prefer information by email, others by conversation. Learn what works best with different people in different circumstances and take account of this.
