MarcusASmith.com

It is no secret that the United States of America is in a full fledged recession.  In 2008 financial giants Wachovia, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac collapsed.  Home foreclosures hit 2.2 million. More than 1.9 million jobs have evaporated.

The numbers are grim.  According to experts things will get get worse before they get better.  The current environment has pushed millions of people into a constant state of paranoia.  People are naturally concerned about their futures.

Disasters always cause us to reflect.  This disaster has caused us all to think things like:

• Is my job/career secure?
• Are my skills up to par?
• If my position is eliminated what will my next move be?
• What aspects of this mess can I control?
• Is there anything that I can do right now to better position and/or protect myself?

Each of these questions can give birth to 10 more.  Before you know it, you’ll be stuck in a web of confusion so thick and confusing that a chainsaw won’t get you out.  All of this points to one central question.

What is the most important skill in a recession?

Is it your analytical ability? Is it your proficiency in goal setting and planning?  Is it the ability to delegate? Is it your ability to innovate? Is it your ability to design the best processes?

All of these skills are important and the world needs them.  Financial professionals with world class analytical ability are always in demand.  I would not want to work for someone who could not set clear goals and plan well.  If you suffer with proper delegation you will run yourself in the ground.

These are all necessary skills, but none of them stands above the rest as pivotal.  The ability to effectively communicate, whether it be oral or written, is hands down the most important skill in a recession.

I know that was an unexpected answer, but stay with me.  The ability to communicate gives power to your other skills.  It doesn’t matter if you can analyze problems, set goals, write plans, create ideas, and design processes. If you can’t effectively communicate these skills are nullified.

Sure, your business plan may be well crafted.  Write it poorly and no one will invest in you..

Sure, your unique idea can save the company millions of dollars.  Fail to persuade your leadership and watch your idea fizzle and die.

I could go on for days but I’m sure you catch my drift. Your other skills are obsolete without the ability to communicate.

Conclusion

The ability to communicate is the most important skill you can have.  Take my advice and brush up on your communication skills. If I were you I’d master everything in this list:

• Presentations
• Speeches
•  Interviews
• Article writing
• Letter/Email writing
• Negotiations

Without these tools your other skills are null and void.  With them, the sky is the limit.

Even in a recession.

written by Marcus A Smith