Communication Skills That Will Get You Promoted

Having the right technical skills, a stellar job performance, and the ability to influence key people in your organization will help get you recognized and promoted. But according to a year-long study by the Center for Talent Innovation, these qualities aren't a guarantee. Leadership roles are often given to employees who look and act the part. And looking and acting the part is conveyed through one's communication skills.

These six communication skills were deemed to be the most important by director-level executives:

No. 1: Public Speaking Skills:

The ability to speak in public was identified as the most important communication skill. Leaders must have the confidence and the capacity to speak to large groups as well as to speak one-on-one. 

No. 2: The Ability to Take Command of a Room:

The person who walks into a room and owns it is others-focused. You do not have to be born with the ability to charismatically command a room, it is a skill that can be learned.

No. 3: Assertiveness:

A person who can speak up with confidence without being confrontational is looked at as a leader and somebody worthy of promotion.

No. 4: Emotional Intelligence:

Good listening skills, empathy, eye contact and the ability to make others feels valued and understood go a long way in both the business world and in your personal life.

No. 5: Sense of Humor:
Employers aren't looking for somebody who can tell a good joke, but evidence of light-heartedness and the ability to lighten up a tough situation and excel at casual conversation is valued.

No. 6: Good Posture and Body Language:
Your words alone do not do the job. The way you stand and position yourself also speak volumes. 

Leaders need to be able to get their visions and goals across to people. Words are just words if they're not effectively communicated. Let the coaches at Ty Boyd help you advance both your career and your life by becoming a more effective communicator.

Ty Boyd's Top 10 Communication Goals

Anne Boyd-Moore, CEO of Ty Boyd, Inc.

Whether you're speaking at a sales conference, giving a wedding toast, talking to a colleague, or having a discussion with your teenage son, there will be a time this week when you will address an audience. It doesn't matter if you are speaking to one person or one hundred people, there is nothing more exhilarating than to feel that you are in command when speaking. Being able to communicate your worth and persuade your clients, colleagues and kids is one of the most sought after traits.

At Ty Boyd, we offer an array of courses and coaching opportunities that go beyond simple mechanical instruction; we provide a personal empowerment experience. Our coaches help the novice speaker with the basics of effective communication and help the experienced communicator to become that much more effective.

Nothing gets done in business or in your personal life without communication. If you want your relationships to improve, make it your goal to hone your communication skills.

Anne Boyd-Moore, CEO of Ty Boyd Executive Communications & Coaching, provides this list of communication goals:

1. Listen: Give people your undivided attention. Listening shows that you respect the person and what the person has to say.
2. Speak up: What you think matters and communication is a two way street. 
3. Inspire and Motivate: There are countless, informal ways to convey your passion to those around you. This should be done everyday, not just at a sales meeting or a performance review.
4. Follow up: Stay connected with phone calls, emails and face to face conversations.
   
5. Be Genuine: Discover your own communication style, the style that comes most naturally to you, the one that taps into your strengths and that you can then build on.
6. Address a concern before it becomes an issue: Address it head on - offer a solution, be open to alternatives, and stay positive.
7. Learn to tell a good story: Research shows that people are 20 times more likely to remember a fact when it's part of a story. Practice telling positive stories using simple, direct language.
8. Focus on the audience, not on yourself:  A good communicator discovers what the audience needs and serves that purpose. Think of each talk that you give as a dialogue, not a monologue.
9. Don't confuse excellence with perfection: Doing your best is an attainable goal, being perfect, is not. One assures failure, the other, with lots of effort, creates success.
10. Practice, hone, and always improve: Preparation is a habit of excellence. If you practice, you will be ready. You will be effective. You will succeed as a communicator.

Communication is a powerful tool that gives you the ability to inspire and energize those around you. Make it your goal to always look for ways to sharpen your communication skills.