"Build a Todo List Application with Rails 4" was retired on September 16, 2016.
Heads up! To view this whole video, sign in with your Courses Plus account or enroll in your free 7-day trial. Sign In Enroll
Well done!
You have completed Important Skills for Professional Success!
You have completed Important Skills for Professional Success!
Preview
One of the most critical skills to possess as a professional is the ability to communicate effectively. You have to know what to say, how to say it, when and where to say it, and perhaps when it's best to say nothing at all.
This video doesn't have any notes.
Related Discussions
Have questions about this video? Start a discussion with the community and Treehouse staff.
Sign upRelated Discussions
Have questions about this video? Start a discussion with the community and Treehouse staff.
Sign up
One of the most important skills to
possess as a professional is the ability
0:00
to communicate effectively.
0:04
You have to know what to say, how to say
it, when and where to say it, and perhaps,
0:07
when it's best to say nothing at all.
0:12
All communication is not the same,
especially in a digital world.
0:15
Speaking in person with someone is not the
same as speaking to them over the phone or
0:19
video chat.
0:23
Just as those are different
from emails and text messages.
0:24
Deciding which medium to use depends upon
the importance and scope of the message,
0:28
as well as the expectations and
availability of everyone involved.
0:33
You may be communicating with
an internal client, like colleagues, or
0:39
manager, or external contacts
like clients and partners.
0:44
But what you might say
to a fellow designer or
0:49
developer is not what
you'd say to your client.
0:51
So be careful about what you
include in a message, or
0:54
what you forward from an email chain.
0:58
Relationships with any external contact,
including contractors, sponsors, corporate
1:02
partners and more can be very fragile,
so they should be handled with care.
1:08
At some point,
you might be asked to provide detail and
1:14
explain your work or strategy.
1:17
And what you provide could be
the difference between getting a job.
1:19
We're losing an opportunity.
1:23
So, it's got to be good.
1:25
If you're relying on the written word,
you must check for mistakes.
1:27
Nothing can sync the impact of your
message like an embarrassing typo.
1:32
Effectively communicating also
means translating what or
1:37
what you're doing into a language
that others can understand.
1:41
Realize that not everyone has been
trained as a designer or a developer, and
1:46
you've got expertise many of your
clients and colleagues may never have.
1:49
Keep in mind that when it comes to
projects and proposals, people want to
1:53
know that you understand what they want,
that you can speak their language.
1:58
And as a result,
you'll be able to work together.
2:03
Don't try to impress people with
important sounding buzzwords or
2:07
concepts that are just too difficult for
them to wrap their head around.
2:10
Get to the point and help them
understand how you can help them.
2:14
Being professional also means
projecting a serious tone.
2:20
Everyone's different, and
has their own personality,
2:24
and you wanna let that shine through.
2:27
There's no problem injecting
some humor if it makes sense.
2:29
But if you're pitching a potential client,
or introducing yourself to a higher up at
2:33
your company, you wanna make sure that
you come off as a professional and
2:38
someone that they'd be willing to talk to,
in the future.
2:42
Positive or negative, their first
impression of you might also affect
2:45
their impression of your group,
your boss or your company as well.
2:50
So while it might not be your intention,
be a great representative for
2:55
whatever group or company you're with.
2:59
In addition, you can never be
sure who will ultimately see or
3:03
read any messages you send.
3:07
Project proposals and
messages make it forwarded along.
3:09
Anything you post online
could get seen by anyone.
3:13
You can't guarantee that decisions like
hiring you will be in the hands of
3:17
the person that you expect.
3:21
So, ensure that whatever you
do send is professional and
3:23
focused and relevant and
ready to be seen by anyone.
3:27
So, how does effective
communication benefit you?
3:32
Well, people will communicate with you,
if you know how to communicate with them.
3:37
If you're seeking a job, asking for
help or pitching clients, you have less of
3:42
a chance of hearing back, unless you
know what to say, and how to say it.
3:47
You need to sign up for Treehouse in order to download course files.
Sign upYou need to sign up for Treehouse in order to set up Workspace
Sign up