Are workers becoming better communicators? A new survey on workforce preparedness implies that they are, claiming that communication skills have increased by 20% over the past three years. Could this be so? Can our communication skills be so significantly improved over such a short period of time? I believe it can be true—not because of improvements in communication skills, though, but because of improvements in communication capabilities.
It was not long ago that if you wanted to get something across the globe, you’d have to physically place it in a mailbox and wait for snail mail to deliver it to its’ final destination (I have a feeling our grand children are going to get a big kick out of that crazy notion). What was once a truly revolutionary means of global connection is now an archaic system predominately used to send birthday invitations or thank you cards—not for business communication.
In today’s wireless world, even the most remote corners of the earth are typically only one click away. Cell phones, the internet, social networking websites, text messages, instant messaging…the possibilities for instant communication, regardless of geographical location, are endless!
So what does all of this mean for the survey’s claim? It means that it may be true, but it is misleading. I don’t believe that we as a human race are increasing our communication skills at such an alarmingly fast rate. I question whether Webster’s dictionary adding words such as supersize (to increase considerably the size, amount, or extent of) and mouse potato (a person who spends a great deal of time using a computer) to the dictionary in 2006 increased our communication skills by 20%.
What I am willing to believe is that the constantly improving technological capabilities are resulting in better communication. After all, it’s a lot easier to send out an e-mail giving someone instructions than it is to sit in front of a crowd of people and persuade them with what you’re saying.
So, in essence, I am not waving the challenge-flag with full force at the survey. It is very possible that given our technological capabilities, communication effectiveness has increased. Take away those electronic aides, though, and I would not be surprised to hear that communication skills decreased by 20%!
Unless, of course, we have all just vastly improved our orthoepy (the art of just pronunciation).
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