Task 3

 “Employers identify communication as one of the basic competencies every
graduate should have, asserting that the ability to communicate is valuable for
obtaining employment and maintaining successful job performance.”
Sherwyn Morreale, Michael Osborn & Judy Pearson,
Professors of Communication (2000)


I strongly resonate with this statement as throughout my time spent in the army with various training schools, I have had the privilege to work with both teams that were able to communicate effectively with one another and teams where basic communication broke down when the stakes rose. Communication was the backbone of being able to identify, treat, and stabilize patients when they were being stretchered in the emergency door of the medical center where I was stationed. During practice scenarios, communication was often one of the key characteristics that separated an experienced team from a novice team. The experienced team would often communicate any small detail that they noticed about the patient such as small rashes, drops in blood pressure, and when they needed help doing procedures. The novice teams would often be very quiet, with no back-and-forth communication, and often not voice out the need for help. This communication allowed the experienced team to be forward-thinking and anticipating any changes that might arise in the patient whereas the novice team would solely be reactive and be on the back foot when it came to treating or dealing with the deterioration of the patient's condition. 

In the traditional office environment, direct customer interaction plays a big part in most professions. The ability to communicate effectively allows the client's needs and concerns to be properly encapsulated and addressed. This helps build long-lasting positive relationships that could help the company grow and expand. Communication is integral to problem-solving and decision-making processes. Individuals who can communicate their ideas and opinions effectively contribute to constructive discussions, facilitating the resolution of challenges and the development of sound decisions. 

In conclusion, communication is an important basic competency that every graduate should have as it allows for a positive and productive work environment, which enhances teamwork and helps prevent misunderstandings or conflicts within the team. Employers recognize the multifaceted nature of communication and its pervasive impact on various aspects on the work environment.