Lack of effective communication is already recognized as a factor diminishing huge potentials from students of the higher education system. Increasing the radius of injury, sleeping critical thinking capacity is covering the larger part. Now post-pandemic, communication, and critical thinking will be the major two skills for students’ progress. Both are needed in a 1:1 ratio for the personal growth of the students after the clouds drift away and new days begin when the lockdown is over and coronavirus is defeated.
During the past days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have lost their jobs as a result of a static or declining economy. Communication and critical thinking skills will come as a rescue for the unemployed allowing them to get hired and employed to keep their positions intact. These skills are given importance as it involves people skills and quick decisions.
Communication is considered as the skeletal structure of critical thinking, where a person thinks from the inner core and puts them into structured sentences. Analyzing any condition or situation is achieved due to a person’s critical thinking ability. Thereafter, communication skills help that person to negotiate its thoughts successfully. Solutions of assumed unsolvable problems come into reels.
Communication not only involves throwing out words - listening is also considered an indestructible part of communication. It is the code to unlock the thoughts of others who would want to convey essential information. Appreciative, empathetic, comprehensive, and critical are the four types of listening which when mastered make a person an ideal communicator.
People with better critical thinking skills are good communicators. They can visualize conditions from different angles and present their perspectives. Most of the times, critical thinkers are not intimated by others or adverse conditions. Having the ability to assimilate thoughts according to data analyzation and logic helps a critical thinker to establish a rational connection between ideas and reality. Some of the other reasons Why Communication and Critical Thinking are the most essential 21st century skills include:
- Clinching to the Point – One of the most important skills of communication and critical thinking is clinching to the point and not deviating away. Identifying a problematic situation and then thinking of the factors to solve it without any outside influence can be hard. But a skillful critical thinker and good communicator can do it. While talking about the solutions with the trusted ones strengthen the bond and of course, a good communicator isn’t swayed away from the actual points.
- Non-Verbal Communication and Research – Finding arguments and facts for supporting critical thoughts are required vehemently and maintaining attitude through facial expressions, physical gestures, eye contact, and voice is also vital. It is the mode of non-verbal communication and research in terms of data and argument finding.
- Controlling Emotion and Curiosity – Making decisions depending on emotions is not good. It is harmful to the profession and hence controlling emotion is the tool to suppress the negative thoughts. It is looked for quality to have and employers often spot it out from the candidates. A curious mind knows to control emotion and ask questions that have productive answers. An open-minded person knows to control emotion and seek answers to tough questions.
Post-pandemic days will be tough and employers will be seeking workforce with great skills. Both of these skills can be developed with time and it’s the perfect moment to do so. Start honing these skills and hope for the best.
