Communication skills

By Sulaiman Maijama’a

Academics and students in the mass communication field and media practitioners are conversant with this exclusive formula in news writing. But this time, the formula is not here to stand for: What happened? When did it happen? Where did it happen? To whom it happened or who are the people involved? Why it happened? And how it happened? It is here on a reading mission to guide people in cultivating the reading culture and attaining consistency. Thanks to the provision of a defence under Copyright Law that allows plagiarism to be done for teaching, But apologies to Mass Comm scholars for this smuggling!

What does the formula stand for here regarding reading? Let me be zero technical, starting with “why”?

1. WHY READING? This is the first and most important question one needs to ask themselves. What is the reason you read? Nothing is done for nothing, and reading is no exception. If you read without a purpose, you lack motivation and focus. Thus, achieving consistency becomes a mirage.  Different people may read for other reasons;  ask 99 avid readers why they read, and you will likely get 99 different answers. Have you ever wondered why students read harder to the level of spending the whole night when they have exams to take? What keeps them awake and motivated is their purpose: passing the exams. Identify your purpose and nurture your ambition. They are your propellers.

2. WHAT TO READ?  Ideally, people are encouraged to read whatever they can put their hands on — books, newspapers, journals, name them — but those who find reading boring are generally advised to start with good novels. This is because human beings, by nature, are interested in stories. Perhaps that is why our scriptures have numerous stories: the Almighty who created us knows how curious we are. We read stories with ease. Novels, therefore, will put you the foundation upon which consistent reading habits can be built.

On the other hand, what to read sometimes is informed by your interest. Just because somebody reads philosophy-related Literature does not mean everybody must read the same. Some people are more comfortable with numbers than words; some are interested in science, and some want to read anything about entertainment. Once you feel that you read with too much difficulty, it means you either have poor comprehension due to a vocabulary deficiency or lack interest in what you read. Discover your area of interest and read what gives you pleasure.

Also, what to read can be determined by your purpose. For instance, if you read to learn business skills, you already have rich literature. If you intend to learn the art of Public Speaking, you read related literature. You have reading materials on even entertainment. Know your purpose and read what will lead you to achieving them.

3. WHO TO READ? Different authors interest different readers.  Don’t be deceived into inflicting any author on yourself to earn prestige. Read authors whose works you enjoy reading or whose works serve your purpose. Whether or not they are literary giants, they should be your heroes. 

4. WHEN TO READ?  Identifying when your brain functions the best is as important as the reading itself. Is it early morning, in the afternoon, evening or in the night when people are asleep? For me, early morning reading is a blessing. I read and understand stuff easily, and my brain is photographic; I see in my eyes whatever I read during that time. Yours may be different. Discover your best time and use it to the fullest, too.

5. WHERE TO SIT AND READ? We have individual differences regarding this. While some people read more comfortably in an enclosed place like a library or room, others prefer reading in an open place like a garden. While some individuals read-only in a silent place, others comprehend stuff even in a noisy place. When I was in BUK, my reading venue was Kitchen Conversion. How rowdy and noisy the hall was/is surprised many people how I managed to understand what I read. But that had never interfered with my comprehension. That is how different we are. Know yourself.

6. HOW TO READ? Don’t be pressured by people who read 100 books or more in a year. It is possible. They might be quick readers. If you are a slow reader, take your time and maintain your method, even if it means reading a single book in a year, and it doesn’t mean you are not smart. Some people don’t read a book in a year, but you will be surprised if they tell you the volume of literature they read. Read smartly according to your best method.

Best wishes!

Maijama’a is a graduate of Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via sulaimanmaija@gmail.com.

By Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim

Communication is vital to human interaction, influencing relationships, emotions, and outcomes. In all languages, the impact of communication skills is profound, especially in expressions of greetings, well-wishing, congratulations, condolences, and the like. While these expressions are often used to convey positive intentions and goodwill, how they are communicated can significantly affect the recipient’s feelings and perceptions.

In Hausa culture, for example, greetings are essential to daily interactions, reflecting respect, courtesy, and social harmony. Appropriations of greetings demonstrate politeness and establish a positive tone for communication. However, the impact of greetings goes beyond mere words; it encompasses the tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. A warm and sincere greeting can make the recipient feel valued and respected, while a cold or indifferent greeting may convey disinterest or disrespect, leading to negative feelings.

Well-wishing is another crucial aspect of communication in our daily encounters, especially in the context of prayers for someone’s well-being or success. This is something that seems cordial yet can be volatile. Whether it is praying for someone to have a child, to get rid of poverty, or to find a job, how these wishes are expressed matters significantly. The spot where such utterances are made can make or mar the situation.

For example, when offering prayers for someone to have a child, it is quite unnecessary to say it to their face. It is often like reminding them and telling those around them how childless they are! Then, is it really necessary? Prayers can be both general or precise, thanks to the fact that Allah is always aware of our inner intentions. Thus, such prayers can be positively concealed in a more general term. “May Allah offer your wishes”, “May Allah reward you with Jannah/bless your family”, etc., cannot harm, I guess.

A similar reproach is often experienced when offering consolations. The manner, tone and words used can reflect civility and ensure privacy yet remain empathetic, hopeful, and positive. A well-expressed prayer can uplift the recipient’s spirits and strengthen their resolve. In contrast, a poorly articulated wish may appear insincere or lacking in empathy, potentially causing emotional distress. Consider a situation where an ill person (who needs support and encouragement) is constantly being told how he is wasting weight! Is that consoling or condemning? Instead of extending the tender support required, we often extend emotional pain and wash away the little drops of hope in the patient.

Similarly, congratulations are often extended to celebrate achievements or milestones in a person’s life. Whether congratulating someone on a promotion, a wedding, or any other accomplishment, the manner of expression can enhance or diminish the recipient’s joy. A heartfelt congratulatory message conveys genuine happiness and support, whereas a superficial or casual expression may undermine the significance of the achievement, leading to feelings of disappointment or devaluation.

In conclusion, the impact of communication skills is profound, especially in expressions of greetings, well-wishing, congratulations, condolences, and their likes. How these expressions are communicated can significantly affect the recipient’s feelings and perceptions, shaping the quality of interpersonal relationships. Without diplomacy and sensitivity in communication, even well-intentioned expressions can have unintended negative consequences. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate effective communication skills to convey goodwill and ensure that our words and actions do not inadvertently cause harm. Without diplomacy, we may do more harm than good despite our noble intentions.

Abubakar Aminu Ibrahim wrote from Katsina via matazu247@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Ado Musa

Having a very good network (otherwise known as ‘connection’) and communication skills is a major asset to success, particularly in this modern world. No matter how hard you work, how smart you are, or how talented you are, if you don’t have good and efficient skills in communication and connecting with other people, you’re less likely to become successful.

To stand out against your counterparts, whether it is in leadership, business, or any organisation, you must have an effective way of cooperating with people. It is certainly true that you can’t be smarter than everybody, and even if you are smart enough, you can never be smarter than people who connect themselves, share ideas, and come up with sufficient solutions.

Lack of ability to connect with desired people is among the major barriers to success. Many people have a repressed brainiac capability, but due to the absence of effective connection, they remain stagnant.

According to the definition coined by John C. Maxwell, connection is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them.

Connection and communication are crucial to having good leadership. For you to be constructive in your leadership role, you must have very good communication with your coworkers. The power of connecting with others cannot be overemphasised.

The starting point for gaining connection skills is to first keep aside your biases, such as religious, cultural, or ethnic differences. Learning how to connect with people is key to success, no matter your goals. It is good to know you can’t do everything by yourself; your smarts and hard work are not enough to lift you to where you want to be; you must engage with society members who share the same ideology to influence each other. “If smart A connects with smart B, they arrive at having double ideas instead of one”.

Several studies have shown that high achievers are those who listen to others, consider other people, and, interestingly, solicit ideas from people who are inferior to them.

In his book titled “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect”, John C. Maxwell classified different ways of connecting at every level, such as: Connecting one-on-one is the most important aspect of connection. At this level, you must know the concerns of other people, listen to them attentively, and share your values with their ideas. In the end, you will both gain valuable information.

The second way is to connect in a group. At this level, recognise every person’s potential, acknowledge it, and be open to new ideas, especially in the area of their potential.

The third is connecting with an audience. In this case, you need to convey your appreciation to the audience, do something exceptional for them, and, at the end, inform them how much you enjoyed engaging with them.The major key to success is the ability to communicate and establish a good connection with people.

Apparently, without connecting and communicating, Mark Zuckerberg would not have built Facebook, and Steve Jobs would not have established Apple. For us to have better socioeconomic growth, we must connect. Our business moguls, especially in northern Nigeria, should come up with an effective way of communication that would lead to immaculate partnerships to build industries and markets that would employ thousands of people, rather than being stagnant with one idea that won’t go anywhere.

Connections are not only about leadership or business but across all aspects of life, whether you are in academia, institutions, or with your coworkers. Once you have any idea, try to identify people who share the same ideology. You can connect with every person, such as professors, doctors, friends, or colleagues. One of the best ways to connect with your mentors is via email, social media, or face-to-face.

Know how to craft an attractive email address because a poorly written email may disqualify you. That will lead you to become successful, you must cooperate with people, no matter how smart you are. As it’s said, two heads are better than one. 

Muhammad Ado Musa writes from Kano, Nigeria.