To communicate means to make known, or to transmit ideas.  With the technology of today, communication has many different forms such as verbal including face to face and telephone, written, texting, and emailing.    We live in an age where information can be transmitted instantly from one person to another.  In some respects this is a great advantage.  Take for instance how we can communicate from earth to the astronauts at the international space station or send a robot up to Mars to take pictures and send them back to earth. 

However, I believe there is a downside to this nonverbal instant communication.  When we don’t see someone face to face while communicating we must rely solely on the written language, and therefore do not have any facial expressions or voice intonations to cue us in to the meaning of the words.  For example, I one time sent a friend of mine an email concerning a history project that we were to complete together.  In this email, I decided to save time and write everything in all capital letters.  My friend saw me the next day and asked if I thought he wasn’t doing his full share of the project.  I thought this was an odd question and I answered “No, why do you think that?”  He replied, “Because you had everything in caps, you seemed angry”.   This was a bit of an eye opener for me.  It definitely makes me read everything twice before I text, or email. 

If you have excellent communication skills, you can have many opportunities in the work force.  My grandfather, who was an electrical engineer with IT&T, always told me a story that he did very well at work not just because he was a licensed engineer, but because he had good written communication skills.  He would often work in small groups with other engineers and they were required to document all of their findings and ideas.  He was the designated writer because of his ability to take a complex concept and write in a simplistic and concise manner so that everyone could understand it.  This skill served him well for the 35 years that he worked for IT&T. 

There are definitely some people that are better communicators than others.  One famous  example is the 1960 presidential debate between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon.  It was September of 1960 and the first time a presidential debate was televised and 70 million people watched it.  Most critics agree that Senator Kennedy and Vice President Nixon were equal in the substance of what they said regarding political issues, but that it was the delivery and the appearance of the candidates that swayed the public.  Kennedy was tan and confident, as compared to Vice President Nixon whose coloring was pale (he refused makeup for the show) and was sweating.  Interestingly, those who heard the first debate on the radio pronounced Nixon the winner while those who viewed it on television regarded Kennedy as the winner.  Of course, history tells us that Kennedy was the winner since he won the election.  Again, it illustrates to us all that communication is not only the words we are saying but the delivery of those thoughts as well. 

In conclusion, we can all improve our communication skills by practicing.  Perhaps, instead of sending that email or text, just pickup the phone and have a conversation.  Also, be mindful of the nonverbal message you might be sending to your audience, try to relax and be confident.  If you believe whole heartedly what you are saying then most likely your audience will too.

The Communications merit badge itself provides many interesting opportunities. For instance, requirement 7B (which I am demonstrating here) has you make a website for an origination of your choice.To view the requirements for this Eagle-required badge, click here.