ESA Skill 3: Communication Excellence—From Talking At → Connecting With
- The Open Mind Institute
- 14 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Last week, we explored Self-Awareness & Attention-Control—the art of noticing blind spots, managing your focus, and creating clarity under pressure. This week, we move to the next skill in the 12 ESA Skills series: Communication Excellence.
Communication is often treated as something simple—just speaking or sending a message. But in reality, true communication is not about talking at someone; it’s about connecting with them. It’s about creating shared understanding, building trust, and ensuring that what’s said is not only heard, but felt and acted upon.
Week 3: Communication Excellence
In workplaces, communication sits at the heart of everything. Projects stall, conflicts arise, and relationships strain when communication falters. On the other hand, teams that communicate with clarity and respect can solve problems more quickly, collaborate more effectively, and foster cultures where people feel valued.
Communication Excellence is more than just words; it’s also about tone, timing, body language, active listening, and the intention behind every interaction. When done well, it transforms everyday exchanges into opportunities for alignment, empathy, and progress.
Practical Ways to Strengthen Communication Excellence
Here are actionable steps individuals and teams can take:
Listen to Understand, Not Just to Reply
Pause before responding. Reflect on what you’ve heard to confirm understanding.
Use Clear & Simple Language
Replace jargon and long-winded explanations with direct, concise phrasing.
Adapt to Your Audience
Adjust tone, detail, and delivery depending on who you’re communicating with.
Give Feedback with Respect
Frame it around behaviours and impact, not personal attacks.
Ask Powerful Questions
Open-ended questions encourage deeper dialogue and uncover hidden insights.
Check for Alignment
Don’t assume understanding—summarise key points and invite input to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Pay Attention to Non-Verbal Cues
Body language, facial expressions, and tone often carry more weight than words.
Normalise Curiosity & Clarification
Encourage team members to ask “Can you clarify?” without fear of seeming unprepared.
Create a Culture of Open Dialogue
Leaders should model transparency, honesty, and approachability to set the tone.
The Takeaway
When we move from talking at people to connecting with them, communication becomes a bridge, not a barrier. It turns potential conflict into collaboration and ensures that ideas are not just expressed, but shared and understood.
💡 Next Week: We’ll explore Adaptability & Learning Agility—how to pivot with change, unlearn outdated habits, and thrive in uncertain environments.
If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with ATAR, we’d love to start that conversation.
Xin Yi Ng (Michelle)
Research & Development Lead
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