Communication - one of the most vital skills

Eagle-eyed readers of this column may notice I've updated my mugshot and no longer have the Shamrock Recruitment Group logo or email address. Well, that's because I no longer work there (I hear a collective "aww" from a small number of readers). But pity me not, I have been reading this column myself over the past six months and have followed my own advice. Practice what you preach, they say - well, job done, I say.

I have followed my passions and got myself a role in communications in what some people may say is a place that needs a lot more than communication advice. Christchurch.

Yes, I have been drawn to "shake-town", "the South Island capital".

Why Christchurch? Well, to me it's a place that, despite all its challenges, is the most alluring in New Zealand - I suppose because of its potential and future possibilities. I also believe communications is an essential chunk of skill, required in every type of job out there, so here in Christchurch it will be crucial.

To be honest, most issues we read about in the media have one common contributing factor: lack of communication.

Look at the Novopay crisis - the breakdown in communication between Talent2, government representatives and teachers is, in itself, a massive hurdle.

The same goes for the pantomime we saw over the Waitangi Day celebrations involving John Key and she-who-can't-be-named.

Effective communication is a skill we all need to improve on, and regularly. The rate that technological advancements are moving, the tools are out there for us to use and help ourselves become better. Take the web, an iPhone, a Tablet or laptop, and within seconds you can have a first-class lecture in your hands.

Communication is one of the essentials we master from the day we are born.

A baby screams or cries, a parent listens, interprets, changes the way they talk to baby, all in the effort to communicate. And why? Because they want to know what the other one wants and needs so as to make things better. It all sounds cliched, but it's as simple as that.

We can all improve our communication skills, and make our world a better place.

Think about this - communication is not rocket science, but without it, rocket science is not possible. Christchurch, we have lift off!

Mark Doyle is a senior communications adviser working in Christchurch.