Skills for Work
4 surprising ways you’re already an amazing communicator
Think group chats and social media are just for fun? These everyday activities are actually building your professional communication superpowers! In this blog, we're going to go through some ways you might already be an amazing communicator, just based on your daily habits. Let's take a look.
You're a pro at reading the group chat vibe
Ever noticed how you instinctively know when to send a funny meme to lighten the mood, or when the group needs a clear "So, what's the plan?" message? That's advanced communication skills in action.
Group chat management is surprisingly complex. You're constantly reading social cues, choosing appropriate communication styles, and knowing when to shift between casual banter and getting things done. This mirrors the workplace skill of reading a room and adjusting your communication approach accordingly.
Even better, if you're good at using different communication tools within the chat – like switching between voice messages, reactions, or written responses – you're developing the crucial skill of choosing the right communication channel for different messages.
You can explain complex gaming or sport strategies
Whether you're teaching a friend how to play your favourite game or explaining team tactics, you're flexing some serious communication muscles. Breaking down complex information into digestible chunks and adjusting your explanation based on someone's understanding – that's high-level communication.
This skill shows up when you can tell if someone's really getting it or just nodding along. Maybe you switch to a diagram when words aren't working, or come up with a helpful analogy. That's exactly what great workplace communicators do in presentations and training sessions.
You've successfully helped resolve friend drama
If you've ever helped friends work through a misunderstanding or explained one person's perspective to another, you're practising advanced communication skills. This kind of diplomatic communication requires:
- Active listening
- Understanding different perspectives
- Choosing words carefully
- Reading non-verbal cues
- Finding common ground
- Knowing when to speak and when to listen
You create content that gets engagement
Whether it's crafting the perfect caption, making TikToks that people actually watch, or running a successful social media account, you're demonstrating valuable communication skills. You understand your audience, choose the right tone, and know how to get your message across effectively.
This involves:
- Understanding your audience
- Crafting clear messages
- Using visuals effectively
- Timing your communication
- Adapting to feedback (those views and likes tell you what's working!)
Where you'll use this skill in the workplace
Strong communication skills are crucial in every job, but here are some specific applications:
Client relations
Just like explaining game strategies to friends, you'll need to explain complex ideas to clients in ways they can understand and act on.
Change management
Similar to managing group chat dynamics, you'll need to communicate updates and changes in ways that keep people informed and engaged.
Conflict resolution
That experience helping friends work through drama? It translates directly to workplace conflict resolution and team dynamics.
Content creation
Your social media skills will be valuable for creating engaging internal and external communications, from presentations to marketing materials.
Training and development
Breaking down complex ideas into understandable chunks is crucial when training colleagues or creating documentation.
Project management
Like managing a group chat working towards plans, you'll need to keep multiple stakeholders informed and aligned.
Team leadership
Understanding different communication styles and knowing when to use each one is crucial for effective leadership.
Building your communication skills
Want to level up your communication skills even more? Try explaining something complex to different people and notice how you adjust your approach. Pay attention to what works in your social media posts and group chats. The more aware you are of your communication choices, the more effectively you can use them.
Remember: great communication isn't about always saying the perfect thing – it's about getting your message across in a way that works for your audience. If you're doing any of the things mentioned above, you're already developing this essential skill.
Find out more
Want to learn more about building important skills for work? We have heaps of other blogs on our website you might like to check out.