‘You might have the most brilliant ideas, the most inspiring vision and the most remarkable story to tell. But if you can’t communicate them, you’ll get nowhere.’

These are the words of Simon Hall(Opens in a new window), Course Lead of Cambridge Advance Online’s Compelling Communication Skills(Opens in a new window) training course, which has been winning awards for the remarkable success it has unlocked for professionals attending the six-week communications skills training course over the past two years.

Judges awarded this popular course the top spot in last year’s Learning Technologies Awards(Opens in a new window) in the Excellence in the design of learning content for the public and non-profit sector category. The judges were particularly impressed by the course’s ‘thoughtful and thorough approach to learning design’ and its ‘truly excellent learning experience’, as well as ‘the outstanding professional successes for their learners.’

In this latest article, Simon draws on 25 years of experience as a communications expert and author(Opens in a new window) to highlight why communication skills for business are so crucial, particularly for managers and leaders who want to succeed.

Why communication skills matter in business

In the business world, communication is one of the most sought-after professional skills(Opens in a new window). The statistics speak for themselves. According to a study by Microsoft(Opens in a new window), 96% of business decision makers and 95% of employees believe that effective communication is critical.

‘If your managers and staff can’t communicate with each other, not to mention with your customers, your partners and your stakeholders, you’re likely to fail,’ says Simon. ‘It’s as simple and important as that.’

Effective communication is not just about talking or sharing facts – it’s about creating understanding, building trust and inspiring action. When managers and employees communicate authentically and with clarity and purpose, teams work together more effectively, ideas flow more freely and challenges are resolved more quickly.

Investing in communication training for managers and employees can be a real game-changer –sparking fresh ideas, strengthening connections, improving morale and fast-tracking growth, no matter what sector you’re in.

Here are just a few reasons why communication skills are so crucial for every business:

• Better teamwork. When you communicate clearly and powerfully, you can cut through confusion and inspire teamwork – turning shared goals into shared victories.

• Better relationships with clients. Being transparent and thoughtful in how you communicate with clients and stakeholders strengthens connections and inspires long-term loyalty.

• Fewer misunderstandings. Effective communication training can help to nip small misunderstandings in the bud and prevent miscommunications from escalating.

• Better productivity. When you and your team members can put your ideas across clearly and concisely, you waste less time and projects can move ahead at pace, which is a winning formula for every business.

‘Modern life is busy and fast,’ says Simon. ‘You don’t get long to impress. You have to be short, sharp and simple with what you’re saying. Intrigue, don’t overwhelm. Start a dialogue. That’s where the real business gets done.’

Discover Simon’s 10 top tips for compelling communication skills in his recent article for Cambridge Advance Online.

The role of communication training for managers

‘No business or organisation can thrive without communicating effectively with its customers and partners,’ says Simon.

Strong communication starts at the very top of every organisation. The right training for managers can do much more than teach the basics of communication skills – it can help them to inspire teams, persuade clients and engage key stakeholders. Armed with these skills, managers can learn how to mediate workplace conflicts head-on and deliver constructive feedback that can galvanise employees and create a better working environment.

This is particularly crucial against a backdrop of declining employee motivation. For example, the 2025 Gallup State of the Global Workplace(Opens in a new window) report found that employee engagement has dropped to 21%. This is a troubling trend for organisations that are already struggling with productivity. Gallup estimates that lost productivity cost the global economy US$438 billion last year.

One of the key routes for tackling this downturn in engagement is training for managers, according to Gallup. Their researchers found that ‘thriving’ levels among managers improved from 28% to 34% when employers provided appropriate training for their key staff.

Gallup’s researchers wrote: ‘When we consider the additional influence of great managers on their teams, manager training and development may be one of the most effective “wellbeing initiatives” employers can invest in’ (see page 13 of Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace(Opens in a new window) report).

Here are some of the key benefits of communication training for managers:

• Better leadership. When managers articulate their vision with clarity and flair, this can help them to motivate and inspire their team. Global management consulting firm McKinsey(Opens in a new window) found that teams who are united around a common vision are nearly twice as likely to exceed their financial targets.

• Better decision-making. Encouraging different perspectives can help to unlock fresh ideas and leads to well-rounded and informed decisions that everyone can get behind.

• Better morale. Managers who communicate in an open and authentic way create a workplace culture where employees feel more valued and motivated, boosting overall job satisfaction and engagement. Microsoft(Opens in a new window) research found that 85% of employees value authenticity as the number one quality a manager can have in supporting them to do their best work.

Gallup’s report(Opens in a new window) goes so far as to suggest that manager engagement is the ‘key to reversing declining productivity, improving employee wellbeing and unlocking trillions in economic potential’.

To help businesses navigate communication challenges that will help to improve engagement, Simon has written a useful beginner’s guide to business communication training skills.

Why employee communication training is essential

Communication training is vital for all employees, regardless of their role or sector. Clear expression and active listening drive success, especially in today’s remote and hybrid work environments where virtual communication is key.

Here’s why communication training is essential for every employee:

• Better collaboration across departments. Strong communication skills empower employees to bridge gaps between departments – paving the way to smoother teamwork and mutual understanding, both online and in person.

• Better adaptability. In a fast-evolving business environment, clear communication helps employees adapt seamlessly to new challenges, tools and team dynamics.

• Better service for clients. Professional and effective communication equips employees to address client needs with confidence, building trust and lasting relationships.

‘Companies win, their customers win and their employees win, if they can present, write and speak well,’ says Simon, who highlights the power of storytelling(Opens in a new window) as a key that unlocks effective business communication.

How communication training improves workplace dynamics

Investing in communication training doesn’t just polish people’s speaking skills, it transforms how employees interact at every level – boosting empathy, engagement and mutual respect. Learning to communicate effectively is a surefire way to improve workplace dynamics.

Here’s how targeted communications training can make a real difference in a business environment:

• Improved empathy. Team members who receive effective communication training are empowered to listen actively and engage empathetically with their colleagues. This means they are much more likely to appreciate their co-workers’ perspectives, which can in turn help to reduce workplace tensions. Showing colleagues that you care requires managers to create a continuous feedback loop, listening to colleagues and taking action consistently to respond to their concerns .

• Strengthened feedback loops. Coaching managers to give and receive feedback constructively can help to drive continuous improvement in the workplace. According to Microsoft(Opens in a new window), closing feedback loops is also key to retaining workplace talent. Employees who see their feedback turned into real action are far happier – 90% reported satisfaction (versus 69% when nothing changes) and 89% felt more engaged (compared with 73% when nothing changed). Employees who felt ignored were more than twice as likely to be looking for a new job over the next year (16% vs. 7%). To build trust and engagement in feedback systems, managers need to regularly share what they’re hearing, how they’re responding and why.

• Increased engagement. When communication flows freely, engagement soars – boosting productivity and morale. Drawing on decades of employee engagement research(Opens in a new window), Gallup researchers found that engaged employees produce better business outcomes than less engaged employees – across industry, company size and nationality. Gallup(Opens in a new window) reported that this higher level of engagement can help to boost performance across a range of measures – from profitability (23%) to productivity (18%) and customer loyalty (10%).

Conclusion

Communication skills training is essential for businesses and business professionals who want to succeed in today’s competitive environment. As we’ve explored above, effective communication can improve team collaboration, strengthen client relationships and create a more productive and profitable workplace. By investing in core communication skills today, organisations can reap both immediate and long-term rewards – driving success for team members and for the business as a whole.

The connection between learning and retention is clear, according to Microsoft’s research(Opens in a new window): 76% of employees said they’d stay at their company for longer if they could benefit more from learning and development support.

‘It’s remarkable the return on investment,’ says Simon. ‘Spend a few hours learning communication skills and the impact can be transformative.’

Cambridge Advance Online’s Compelling Communication Skills course is designed to teach you and your colleagues the skills you need to open doors to business success.

Want to find out more before enrolling? Read a Q&A with Simon Hall and fellow course leader Professor Thomas Roulet(Opens in a new window).

Simon Hall(Opens in a new window)

Simon Hall runs his own business communications agency, Creative Warehouse. He teaches writing, public speaking and storytelling skills at the University of Cambridge, for companies and in government. He’s also an author with 12 business communication books published and was previously a BBC TV and radio news correspondent.

Further reading

Read Simon’s book Compelling Communication(Opens in a new window) published by Cambridge University Press.

For more thoughts on mastering business communication, read this article on communicating your vision and ambition effectively.

For further inspiration, visit our article on effective communication skills through storytelling.

If you’re communicating about science, head to our article on communicating about scientific research for inspiration.

You might also be interested in our course on intercultural communication for global business