Writing skills are crucial in nearly every profession. In the medical field, for instance, doctors are required to take detailed notes on patients, while software developers need to write concise instructional manuals for users. Nearly everybody is required to write emails and other communications to fellow workers and managers, while in roles that carry accountability, you need to be able to document clearly the tasks that you have done.
In short, good writing skills are highly important in the workplace. If you are sending emails full of typos, poorly constructed sentences and grammatical errors, then it can imply that you take a similar attitude towards your work. Therefore, good writing skills not only improve communication in the workplace, but can also have an effect on how you are perceived. Here are some of the reasons why writing skills are important to our careers.
In short, good writing skills are highly important in the workplace. If you are sending emails full of typos, poorly constructed sentences and grammatical errors, then it can imply that you take a similar attitude towards your work. Therefore, good writing skills not only improve communication in the workplace, but can also have an effect on how you are perceived. Here are some of the reasons why writing skills are important to our careers.
1. Professionalism
When the job at hand involves writing - such as in the case of professional writers, journalists and other communications professionals - then your literacy skills are clearly going to be important.In the modern workplace, though, professionals in every sector need to demonstrate good writing skills. While you're unlikely to be writing the next great American novel, you will be sending emails, compiling reports and typing memos, meaning that in order to be understood, you need to be able to write in a manner that is easily comprehensible and well organised.
2. Communication
As mentioned, workers are constantly writing notes, emails, memos, letters, and reports. All of these require good writing skills so that people are able to communicate their ideas effectively. Poor writing skills, on the other hand - especially where communication with management is concerned - can be a red flag that an employee is not suited to more senior positions and, as such, can be a hindrance to promotion. Further, people with poor writing skills come across as having a lower level of intelligence.
3. Credibility
Employees with excellent writing skills are generally viewed as being a hot commodity. Companies around the world are spending hefty amounts of money to train their employees and improve their writing skills. Imagine a situation where you, as an employee, download a report or try to interpret a message from a colleague, but the email or report is full of typos and grammatical errors. It would not only waste a lot of time, but also fail to effectively communicate the message. This means that the sender was ignorant and did not bother to proofread their work.
4. Considerations
Good writing skills open doors for many junior employees to be considered for senior positions. However, as important as these skills are, it is also important to know when and when not to correct another person. Correcting the wrong person can get you in trouble at work or even fired. Not everybody likes to be corrected, and not all mistakes are significant enough to warrant correction.
How important do you think good writing skills are in the modern workplace? Let us know your thoughts below...
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