WEEK 1-Task 3: The Importance of communication skills for engineers [VISHVAJITH & HAN]

"Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter." Gilbert Amelio, former President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp

Personally, after reflecting on this statement, we clearly understand the core message it conveys. Without strong communication skills, a leader will struggle to be effective at every step of their journey. A lack of communication skills prevents leaders from articulating their stance, explanations, and messages to their team. Effective communication is a crucial skillset composed of many smaller abilities. Failure to achieve excellence in communication limits a leader’s capacity to provide insightful knowledge and motivation to their team. As a result, it is as though no message was delivered, leaving the team stagnant and unable to move forward.

Han and I fully agree with Mr. Gilbert Amelio’s assertion that strong communication skills are vital for effective leadership. A skilled communicator can inspire, guide, and connect with their team, ensuring alignment toward shared goals and success. Clear communication also fosters trust among team members, strengthening bonds and encouraging collaboration. Furthermore, great leaders use this skill to motivate and uplift others, boosting morale and productivity.

Conversely, without strong communication skills, leaders risk creating confusion, diminishing team morale, and exacerbating conflicts. It can also lead to poor decision-making, misaligned goals, resistance to change, and a loss of trust or credibility, ultimately jeopardizing both team and organizational success.