Report: Improving Communication Skills for Professional Development

This report delves into the critical importance of effective communication skills, particularly focusing on emotional intelligence and its impact on career success. It explores the application of cognitive dissonance theory to enhance workplace communication. The report details the author's personal journey in improving communication abilities through practical experiences like interviews, presentations, and group projects. It also identifies areas for future development, including leadership and managerial skills, and outlines plans to enhance these competencies through programs at Coventry University. The report emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills in fostering successful communication, providing a comprehensive overview of communication enhancement in a professional context.

Effective Communication Skills
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Importance of Emotional Intelligence for Successful Career
Emotional intelligence refers to the competence of individuals to manage as well as control
their emotions and also having the ability to manage and control the emotions of others (Di
Fabio and Kenny, 2015). In other words, emotionally intelligent people can influence the
emotions of other people as well. A number of researches has been conducted on the impact
of emotional intelligence skills on the career of students at different level of education.
Research in the area of academic success have also revealed that students having higher
emotional intelligence have scored higher than compared to other students in their academic
activities (Di Fabio and Kenny, 2015). On the other hand, Jiang (2016) found out that there is
a positive relation between higher emotional intelligence and academic success. It is an
evident fact that graduation students usually have more academic challenges in comparison to
those admitted to kindergarten or high schools. Thus, having control over emotions of oneself
as well as on others is a competency skill which sets apart the students with higher emotional
intelligence from others in their academic level.
Since past few decades, the most widely used tool to measure the intelligence of people,
particularly students were analytic intelligence, i.e. Intelligence Quotient or IQ test. However,
this only helped in determining the intelligence level of the students in numeric values based
on analogies, classification, pattern, visuals, spatial and logical tests.
Emotional intelligence on the other hand, has been considered as one of the most significant
skills in leadership. Di Fabio and Saklofske (2014) contends that emotional intelligence
entails five major elements namely, - motivation, self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, as
well as social skills. If students are self-aware about their skills, requirements, strengths and
weakness, they are in a better position to handle and control the situations. For instance, they
can have control over those situations when they feel angry over any matter, in front of the
public, thereby not leading into an embarrassing situation. In addition to this, self-regulation
is also an important aspect which enables the students, particularly those with high temper to
regulate themselves before speaking a word during any conflict or debate against their
viewpoints.
Coetzee and Harry (2014) in their work argued that when an individual is motivated towards
completing a series of task or activities, they are in the better position to explain and illustrate
the same to others in getting the task done effectively, and vice versa. Thus, motivated
students lead as an example to others even when they are assigned a complicated task, such

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as performing new activities of higher level in the university or taking part in any competition
and such other cases(Di Fabio and Kenny, 2015). It has been well said that one should not
judge people unless they have walked in their shoes. This means, one must evaluate the
characteristics, personality and traits only when they have faced similar issues, risks r
challenges as them. Every successful leader must know how to empathise with others, so as
to earn their respect, without judging them when unaware of the situation. This is called
empathy and it plays a significant role in balancing emotional aspects during situations of
dilemma.
Another element of emotional intelligence is social skills which is of significant importance
when dealing with a group of students in graduation level, because they are neither known
school friends, nor the teachers who have been teaching since junior level (Di Fabio and
Kenny, 2015). All of them at the college level are new and thus, knowing every individual is
difficult. Using social skills, students can build relationship with one another as well s
communicate their point of view whenever necessary. Socializing with people is also
considered as a challenging task, because control of ego and self-esteem is essential inn such
cases for the candidates in graduation level (Di Fabio and Saklofske, 2014). Thus, it can be
said that emotional intelligence enhances communication skills of the students as well.
Cognitive Dissonance Theory- Enhancing Future Workplace Communication
Cognitive Dissonance Theory refers to the psychological conflicts that ascends from holding
2 incompatible or contradictory beliefs and attitudes (Hinojosa et al, 2017). It is an evident
fact that everyone is right in their own opinion, however the appropriateness is evaluated by a
third person. This communication theory suggests that an individual looks for balance in their
point of views and beliefs (Kah and Lee, 2016). Thus, with the intention of reducing
disagreement, one would circumvent listening to the opposing viewpoints or might also
indulge in changing their beliefs so as to match their actions. For instance, one may like a
person, but dislike their habits.
Dealing with the condition of stress is of immense importance to control the emotions and
stress at workplace. Appropriate communication skills such as taking up a step ahead and
speaking to the team members, the employers and explaining one’s point of view will help in
resolving the conflicts. In addition to this, trying to promote different ideas and solutions with
the key stakeholders without causing any damage to the relationship, will help in sorting out
the issues that arise at workplace. Thus, it can be said that with cognitive dissonance theory,

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one could could enhance future workplace communication, as they will be at a position to
face the circumstances and take the necessary action to overcome the same by
communicating with people. Taking instant action to communicate with the hierarchy in the
workplace can be an important achievement for individual as well as for the organization as a
whole.
Improvement Made in Communication Skills
Effective communication is vital for organizational development. Hinojosa et al (2017)
suggests that communication is something which helps the managers to perform their basic
functions of management, such as organizing, planning, motivating as well as controlling. In
other words, communication is the building block of any organization. This is why many
individuals undergoes different communication enhancement programs so as to improve their
communication skills in the future.
I have also improved my communication skills through activities of my course namely, video
interview, face to face interview, individual presentation, as well as group presentation.
Video Interview and Face to Face Interview
Conducting or facing an interview has remained the most challenging task, particularly for
those who attends or conducts such interviews for the first time. As a fresher, when I was
called for an interview for the position of Assistant HR in ABC Inc., neither I knew nothing
about organizational communication skills, nor I had seen anyone facing any interviews. This
was an opportunity for me to enhance my skills through communication with the interviewer
at the company. At the time of my first interview, I was very nervous, however, I gathered
courage when I saw the presentation and professional skills of a senior manager who was
already conducting an interview of another candidate. The questions which were asked was
based on my resume and curriculums in which I had participated.
With self-regulation skill, I controlled myself and think before speaking anything about
myself and growth opportunities. I not only followed the theoretical aspects of enhancing
communication skills but also practiced a lot with my teammates. The practical approach was
far better than theoretical approach as it guided me how to communicate with different levels
of hierarchy in an organization.

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Individual Presentation
It is an evident fact that presenting information clearly as well as effectively in front of others
is regarded as a key skill. it is required at every level of hierarchy in an organization as well
as in other entities. Individual presentations were required to be made during each semester at
my graduation level. With continuous practice, I was able to transform nervous energy into
enthusiasm and developed a personal speaking style. Thereafter I learnt how to adjust to
surroundings and practicing over the microphone and avoiding any distractions thereof. ____
suggests that getting specific about the weakness that needs to be improved makes it easier to
focus on the issues that requires more attention. Therefore, I improved my way of speaking at
the public while making presentations at the end of every semester. I also attended seminars
where great speakers present their views. I gradually developed these skills and made strong
efforts in practising the same.
Many people shared their remarks n my presentations, some with positive comments and
some with negative comments. I accepted the constructive criticism and applied it to focus
more on practising rather than getting nervous.
Slowly, I improved my presentation skills and overcome the fear of facing the public. I not
only improved my listening skills but also controlling myself while speaking so as to become
a persuasive speaker. With immense practice, from a novice speaker, I soon became the best
speaker and was awarded in the final semester with an A+ grade, which set me apart from the
rest of the team.
Group Presentation
Making individual presentation is far easier than group presentation. It requires immense
skills to understand the views of other members of the group and their way of making
presentations before applying the idea of oneself. The attitude of others while making
presentation and speaking in public matters a lot. I have developed the skill to communicate
within groups and share my opinions and ideas as well as respecting their innovative point of
views. This allowed me to work in groups and managing a team as well.
I therefore, consider my communication and presentation skill to be at a high level. In
addition to this, now I am capable of adapt and modify information and present it to the
targeted audience. For instance, when I was selected as the Team leader at ABC Inc. I
showed my communication skills to them. I was also able to clarify as well as summarize

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information efficiently, by means of using visual aids, such as charts, smart arts,
diagrammatic presentation.
I was given the responsibility to conduct interviews of candidates as well as to distribute the
meeting minutes to the members of the Board. In addition to this, I maintained a positive
attitude and listened to my team members while making significant and strategic decisions in
a confident manner. Thus, I believe my communication skills evaded duplications or
misapprehension, as a result increasing productivity and efficiency as well.
Improving Leadership and Managerial Skills
However, I have also identified two weakness which needs improvement, one is leadership
skill and the other is managing others. In order to enhance my leadership skills, I have
successfully enrolled for the Lead Now Programme which would be conducted in the coming
year in Coventry University (Coventry University, 2018). By learning effective
communication style and participating in this programme will help me to identify as well as
distinguish my unique leadership style. In addition to this, the programme will also allow me
to discover diverse ways to harness fear and pressure. Furthermore, I would also participate
in other programs which will be organized by Coventry university in the coming year 2019,
which would further allow me to take an initiative towards improving managerial skills as
well.
At present I have opted for taking Myer-Briggs tests which will help in understanding my
leadership style and focus on the areas of improvement which would help to become an
effective and efficient leader in the future. In addition to this, the abovementioned
programme at Coventry University will also be helpful in identify the shortcomings while
managing people and business and the models and effective steps which could be adopted to
further avoid any unforeseen situation at workplace in future.

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Reference List
Coetzee, M., & Harry, N. (2014) ‘Emotional intelligence as a predictor of employees' career
adaptability’. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 84(1), 90-97.
Coventry University (2019) Global Leaders Programme Certificate for Undergraduates
[online] Available from <
https://www.coventry.ac.uk/study-at-coventry/student-support/enhance-your-employability/
global-leaders-programme/> [19th December 2018]
Di Fabio, A, & Kenny, M E. (2015) ‘The contributions of emotional intelligence and social
support for adaptive career progress among Italian youth’. Journal of Career
Development, 42(1), 48-59.
Di Fabio, A., & Saklofske, D. H. (2014) ‘Comparing ability and self-report trait emotional
intelligence, fluid intelligence, and personality traits in career decision’. Personality and
Individual Differences, 64, 174-178.
Hinojosa, A. S., Gardner, W. L., Walker, H. J., Cogliser, C., & Gullifor, D. (2017). A review
of cognitive dissonance theory in management research: Opportunities for further
development. Journal of Management, 43(1), 170-199.
Jiang, Z. (2016) ‘Emotional intelligence and career decision‐making self‐efficacy: Mediating
roles of goal commitment and professional commitment’. Journal Of Employment
Counseling, 53(1), 30-47.
Kah, J. A., & Lee, S. H. (2016). A new approach to travel information sources and travel
behaviour based on cognitive dissonance theory. Current Issues in Tourism, 19(4), 373-393.