The Undeniable Power of Being Well-spoken

Early in my career, I was a rabid cold caller. Rain or shine, I’d be dialling numbers at 9 AM sharp. Cold calling taught me several valuable lessons: confidence, assertiveness, time management, work ethic, staying organized, mastering sales techniques, improvising on the fly, handling rejection, and tackling objections with finesse.

But above all, it taught me the magic of good spoken skills. I quickly learned that if you’re well-spoken, people are more likely to listen, if not buy. A solid command of English could get you a foot in the door, if not a sale.

If they were even a tad receptive, good verbal skills and sharp sales techniques could easily bridge the gap between initial interest and sealing the deal. This brings me to a broader point Peter Thiel made about AI and job skills. He suggested that while AI might replace jobs requiring strong math skills, it would also create new opportunities for those who are good with words..

You can check out his Q&A on AI here: Peter Thiel on AI.

I’m not entirely sure if Peter’s intuition will unfold as he predicts. However, I do know that, AI or not, people who are good with words will continue to shine, especially in the corporate world.

As a recruiter, I’ve interviewed thousands of candidates and can tell you that verbal prowess sets people apart. Good pronunciation, a wide vocabulary, and correct grammar can make a candidate seem more competent. And if his resume clearly articulates his value, an interview is a given.

An interview is essentially a business conversation. The question that follows: can the candidate converse fluently? If he can answer technical questions and weave his experiences into engaging stories, he’ll shine and advance. Fluency in speech can turn any interaction—personal or professional—into a powerful display of capability and confidence, leaving a lasting impression.

Unfortunately, many folks invest heavily in functional knowledge but overlook the importance of verbal communication skills. You can have the best engine in the world, but if your car’s wheels aren’t in place, you won’t get far. Similarly, without strong communication skills, your technical expertise won’t move your career forward effectively.

Here’s the bottom line: investing in how you communicate will bring you outsized and unexpected positive returns. So, polish your verbal skills today and watch your career soar to new heights. Your future self will thank you.