Learning to Communicate by Hayden

Learning to Communicate by Hayden - August 2023 Scholarship Essay

No one knows if they are destined to be a leader. I surely did not, however, after years of playing sports, I found that the younger kids looked up to me to be the foundation and a leader to help in the development of their game. One could show you the moves all day long but at the end of the day, if you are not able to lead with effective communication, what does it matter?

Talking is easy. Being an effective public speaker enables you to communicate to your team your thoughts and desired course of action. Public speaking and leadership go hand in hand very well. Speaking confidently in public is a crucial component of good communication, which is a requirement for leadership. Speech training can help you become more persuasive in front of an audience, motivate listeners, and exude confidence.

Sometimes, we find ourselves overcommunicating, which is not always effective. Transmission of our message may mean diluting our message or finding other creative ways to express our ideas. Involvement in speech and communication classes helps us to prepare our ideas in various formats to amplify our intended message.

The advantages of being a skilled public speaker are numerous. Career success can be aided by effective public speaking abilities since they demonstrate creativity, critical thinking abilities, leadership qualities, and professionalism. Speaking in front of an audience can increase our confidence and assist in overcoming our worries and insecurities. Gaining better communication skills is one of the greatest advantages because they are crucial for both personal and professional success.

Learning is never-ending, but through speech and communication classes, I learned how to be an effective leader gaining trust and respect from fellow teammates. It brought forth team cohesion, a much-needed dynamic. With the newly found bond and unity, the team was able to find success. This succession brought forth positive group morale, increased interpersonal interactions, productive attitudes, and teamwork. I conclude that effective communication played a large part in the team's success bringing forth team cohesion while removing animosity, individual prejudices, and lack of trust.