by E.M.Robinson

Created on: February 03, 2008

Developing effective communication and writing skills is critically important to advancing your career or profession.Professionals who write well are way ahead of others on all career paths.Developing effective writing skills is an important step for professionals on all career paths.

Written messages say so much about the writer.This is probably why many professionals pause when the boss says, "Put it in writing!" Prior to everyday use of the Internet, a professional would write a note or a letter and the recipient could then make judgments about the writer's education, attitude, and attention to detail. Even with use of word processing and electronic mail and its helpful features, professionals still need to understand that their associates, colleagues, and staff can still glean information about the professional by how he or she writes.

A poorly written email, memo, or letter can leave important people confused, angry, or even misinformed if the writing coming to them is not effectively written. Not only can the message received be perceived differently than the intended message, but the reader forms opinions that can have long lasting effects in the workplace. Effective communication and writing skills can make all the difference between chaos in the work place and the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.

It is important to time to read, re-read, and proofread writing before sending it out. Support staff also catch errors and save the professional from undue embarrassment when they can.

Email, however, by its very nature, can present ideas and images that may be contrary to what the sender wants to say. Often, it pays off to compose an email in Word or another word processing program. It protects the writer from losing an email that was in progress and it slows down heated, emotional responses that can lead to that urge to pound out an email, hit the "send" button, and possibly regret it for years to come.

Technology has changed our communication in many ways, but it is still true that our communication and writing says a great deal about our attitudes, education, and attention to detail. Therefore, strong, effective communication and writing skills give a professional a clear advantage in the workplace.

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