There
are two essential components for success in your career: knowledge and the
ability to communicate that knowledge effectively.
We
all know people who are experts in their field, but who are unable to
communicate their knowledge effectively.
Their expertise takes them to a certain point, but then they hit a
roadblock; for example, the salesperson who won't be promoted because she is
uncomfortable presenting to large groups of potential clients or the computer
programmer who won't be asked to lead projects because he is unable to
communicate his ideas effectively to the project team.
On
the other hand, we also know people who are not experts and don't know what
they're talking about, but who are "good talkers." Their
communication ability takes them to a certain point, but then they also hit a roadblock
in their success. For example, the
manager who is comfortable giving presentations but doesn't actually understand
the details of what he's presenting or the consultant who tells funny stories
but doesn't comprehend the client's processes.
In
order to be successful in your career and your life, you have to know something
AND also be able to communicate it effectively.
It's never EITHER/OR - it's always AND.
Knowledge + Communication = Success.
Which is your roadblock to success – and how can you overcome it?