The Role of Good Communication Skills

By: ALFIE S. MANALO

A year ago, a Filipina beauty queen who had possessed good communication skills captured the
most prestigious crown of Miss Universe Pageant, after delivering brilliant ideas in response to the
queries heaved during the beauty contest. She had proven that excellent communication skills could lift
somebody to the pedestal of success and achievements.

The scenario I have mentioned is just one of the manifestations that support the idea regarding
the importance of acquiring communicative competence. However, this will trigger further skeptical
questions and issues. Maybe some of us will be asking; “Why do we need to equip ourselves with
essential skills for communication, while in fact, what the world needs are technicians, engineers,
surgeons and other skilled workers in order to attain progress and sophistication?” The one asking this
question ladies and gentlemen seemed to forget how important is the role of communication in
inculcating and acquiring technical and vocational skills. An Engineer could not make his building designs
constructed successfully if he doesn’t have the necessary skills in communication. How will he be able to
explain his ideas? How will he instruct his laborers?

In other cases, some extreme nationalists may ask, “With what language do we need to become
experts? If somebody will answer its English, their follow-up probe will be; “Why English language? Why
not focus on our own Language?” The response for these questions is simple; the kind of language is not
an issue, the issue here is how skillful you are in terms of expressing your views and how would
everybody or the majority understood the real essence of what are you trying to convey.

An excellent speaker considers his/her audience. We belong in this world wherein majority of its
inhabitants speak, comprehend or understand our international language - the English Language, then
why not learn this language and be globally competent. Let us set aside our personal interest and work
hand in hand with those whose advocacy is to attain sustainable peace and development through
collaborative determination. This will just be possible through a successful good communication process.

Indeed, the issue on communication is not merely a subtle dispute among nations around the
globe, however; remember my friends, that it is communication itself that could play a vital role in
ending this dispute and in achieving that illusive quest for peace and unity on earth. Through a whole-
hearted communication, chaos could be ended, conflicts could be mended; divisions and barriers
between races and nations could be broken. With all of these, we can create a common goal with one
vision for the welfare of our own nation… for our mother earth sake!

Thus, we as the newly-labeled “generation Z” the burden has been vested upon our shoulders. It
is our responsibility to equip ourselves with essential communicative skills and be one of the stewards of
creating a better world with brighter horizon.