The provided table illustrates how communication abilities play a crucial role in the workplace over a 9-year period from 1997 to 2006.
Overall, it is readily apparent that the perceived importance of forms of communication increased, except for selling a product or service. Additionally, the proportion of dealing with people was considered the most essential skill.
Looking first at external communication abilities, the figure for dealing with people accounted for 60%, a moderate increase of 5% to 65%. Similarly, by 1997, the percentage of knowledge of particular products or services and advising or caring for customers or clients represented 35% and 36%, respectively. Moreover, this figure recorded a moderate rise to 41% and 39%. In contrast, the sector, namely selling a product or service declined slightly from 24% to 21% during 9 years.
Regarding internal communication, listening carefully to colleagues represent 38%, which is the most significant rise to 47% between 1997 and 2006. Followed by the statistic for instructing or training people was a dramatic increase at 30%, then analysing problems at 26% and lastly persuading or influencing others at 21% over the same period. In addition, planning the activities of others was the most insignificant increase (1%) to 15%. Conversely, making speech and presentations hit the bottom at 7% and 11%, respectively.