Go on, admit it, you’ve put “good communication skills” on your CV, or you put it in your performance self-assessment. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
It’s one of those universal lines that everyone includes — right up there with “team player” and “works well under pressure.”
But if you were in a job interview or your performance review, and were asked to explain what good communication skills actually are … what would you say?
Would you say something about being a “people person”? Or maybe that you’re “good with words”? Maybe you’ll say that you believe you’re a good listener … but are you, really?
Let’s be honest: most of us throw that phrase around without really thinking about what it means. So, let’s break it down — what is good communication, and how can you actually show you’ve got it?
These are some of the things I cover in my communication skills training, and I promise they’ll make you think twice before hitting “send” on your next email.
Understanding ‘noise’ – and not just the loud kind
In communication, “noise” doesn’t just mean the guy with the leaf blower outside your window.
Noise is anything that gets in the way of the message being properly sent or received. It could be physical (like background chatter or bad Wi-Fi), but it’s also emotional, cultural, or even technological.
Think about that time you sent a quick Teams message that said, “Can we talk?” — and the other person immediately assumed they were in trouble. That’s communication noise.
Good communicators learn to adapt for it. They consider timing, tone, method, and even emotional context before they communicate.
It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being clear and intentional — which, funnily enough, often means slowing down instead of rushing to get the message out.
Cognitive biases — when our brains play tricks on us
Even the best communicators fall victim to biases. Our brains take shortcuts, which helps us make decisions faster but can completely distort how we interpret messages.
Ever read an email from your boss and assumed they were mad at you — only to realise they were just being brief? That’s your bias talking.
We all have personal filters that shape how we perceive tone, meaning, and intent. In communication skills training, one of the first things we do is explore these biases — because once you understand your own, you can start to spot how they show up in your workplace relationships.
Awareness is power. The more aware you are of how bias affects you, the easier it becomes to separate what was said from what you think it meant.
The pitfalls of written communication
Written communication is brilliant — until it isn’t.
We rely so heavily on text messages, emails, and chat tools that it’s easy to forget how much tone and nuance get lost in translation. Sarcasm doesn’t land. Jokes can misfire. People misread “full stops” as passive aggression.
And then there’s the overuse of text messages for serious topics. You can’t solve a complex issue in three sentences and a smiley face.
Sometimes the most effective way to improve your communication skills is simply to pick up the phone — or better yet, have a face-to-face chat. If something feels too important to be misunderstood, it’s too important to send as a text.
Listening skills — the most underrated superpower
When most people think of communication, they think about talking. But the best communicators are usually the best listeners.
And no, good listening isn’t just about nodding and saying, “mm-hmm.” It’s about actually absorbing what’s being said — and what’s not being said.
Active listening is one of the most essential communication skills. It means focusing completely, asking clarifying questions, and resisting the urge to jump in with your own story. It also means putting your phone down, closing your laptop, and giving someone your full attention.
In communication skills training, we learn about different listening techniques — and people are surprised at how much deeper and more effective their conversations become. Real listening builds trust. And trust? That’s the foundation of every strong workplace relationship.
Questioning skills — ask better, get better
Asking good questions is like having a secret weapon.
Whether you’re leading a team, solving a problem, or trying to understand a colleague’s perspective, the right question at the right time changes everything.
There are open questions, closed questions, probing questions, and reflective questions (and we cover off many more in our communication skills training) — and each has a purpose.
When you learn how to use different questioning techniques, you not only improve your conversations — you improve your leadership.
Body language — myths, misreads, and misunderstandings
Guess what? Most of what we think we know about body language is a myth.
You’ve probably heard that crossing your arms means you’re “closed off” or that looking up to the left means you’re “lying.” In reality, context matters a lot more than isolated gestures.
Body language isn’t about memorising a set of rules; it’s about noticing patterns and aligning your non-verbal communication with your intent.
So instead of trying to “decode” your colleagues like an FBI profiler, focus on congruence. Are your tone, words, and expressions telling the same story? That’s what authenticity looks like.
Written communication — yes, AI can still make it worse
AI tools can be great for tidying up your writing, but they can’t save poor communication. And your written message can’t survive a poorly written prompt.
If your email is confusing, robotic, or irrelevant to the reader, no AI edit will fix it. Good written communication starts with understanding your audience — what do they need from this message, and how do they prefer to receive it?
In short: write for clarity, not for impressiveness.
Plain English isn’t dumbing things down; it’s making things accessible. The best communicators make complex things sound simple, not the other way around.
Emails — shorter, smarter, sharper
If you’ve ever sent an email longer than three paragraphs, there’s a good chance the recipient didn’t read it properly.
Most people scan. They don’t absorb. So, if you bury your main point halfway down a wall of text, it’s game over.
Start with the headline: what do you want them to do or know? Then back it up with just enough detail to make it clear.
And please — proofread. Typos, missing attachments, and vague subject lines all chip away at your credibility. Great communicators don’t just write emails; they design them for impact.
So, what is good communication?
Good communication isn’t about being extroverted or having a way with words. It’s about connection, clarity, and curiosity.
It’s being aware of your biases, choosing the right medium, asking better questions, and actually listening to the answers. It’s thinking before you hit “send,” noticing how your message lands, and being willing to adapt when it doesn’t.
And here’s the good news: communication skills aren’t some magical talent you’re born with — they’re learnable. With the right communication skills training, you can become more intentional, more effective, and yes, more “good at communication” than you ever thought possible.
So next time you update your CV and proudly list “good communication skills,” you’ll know exactly what that really means — and you’ll be able to prove it.
And, if you’re putting together a leadership development program, then we definitely recommend adding in our communication skills training. It’s also an inclusion in our team leader development program.
At Epic People, we help real humans develop real communication skills that make work (and life) better. Contact us to find out more.
Photo credit: Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-shirt-holding-white-paper-with-text-7640786/
