Hard Work = No Limits

Lionel Messi pushed his boundaries to go from being the “smallest player on the pitch”
to one of the greatest athletes of our time.

Hard Work = No Limits

As Lionel Messi also knew that his height was his shortcoming, he practised football very hard to compensate for his shortcoming. He never stopped playing football even during his treatment period.

Do you know? Lionel Messi at a height of 1.7 m (5' 7”) is shorter when compared to the other football players.

Since his childhood, Lionel Messi, who was nicknamed “Leo”, dreamed of becoming a professional footballer.

Lionel Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), a rare disorder which was enough to shatter all his football dreams.

Lionel Messi’s father was able to afford his treatment only for two years and after two years, he was not in a position to afford for his treatment because the treatment was expensive as it cost at least $1,000 per month.

As Lionel Messi also knew that his height was his shortcoming, he practised football very hard to compensate for his shortcoming. He never stopped playing football even during his treatment period.

His love for his dreams was bigger than the obstacles in his life. Today, Lionel Messi is one of the best footballers in the world despite struggling from a medical condition, poverty and many setbacks.

Lionel Messi pushed his boundaries to go from being the “smallest player on the pitch” to one of the greatest athletes of our time.

Remember, “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.”

Today, Lionel Messi is one of the best footballers in the world despite struggling
from a medical condition, poverty and many setbacks.

******

How To Improve Your Communication Skills?

Communication skills come in different shapes and sizes.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills?

Every aspect of your job depends on communication, and how well you can communicate directly correlates with how well you can do your job. Here are specific things to do that can improve your communication skills.

Over the last few years, soft skills (= life skills) have been at the forefront of hiring professionals’ minds. With millions of people working from home and many others transitioning into a new career journey, soft skills are highly sought after.

With so many different avenues to convey your thoughts (email, phone, video, chat tools, etc.), strong communication skills (one of the many soft skills) will always be crucial. Employers are always looking for prospective employees with solid communication skills.

Communication skills come in different shapes and sizes – meeting with clients, working with colleagues, and speaking to various stakeholders.

This has become even more relevant with the increase in remote work - bad communication skills have been highlighted by the increased use of messaging rather than face-to-face workplace communication.

Every aspect of your job depends on communication, and how well you can communicate directly correlates with how well you can do your job. Here are specific things to do that can improve your communication skills:

➡ First, be a good listener by practicing active listening. Take notes if possible.

➡ Record yourself communicating. Review the recording and look for places to improve. 

➡ Watch your tone and be mindful of your nonverbal communication.

➡ Be respectful. Maintain a positive attitude and smile.

➡ Build your emotional intelligence and empathy.

➡ Always proofread and eliminate anything that strays from your message as you prepare your thoughts.

➡ Take time to create a thoughtful response.

➡ Before you speak, know what you are going to say and how you are going to say.

➡ Practice public speaking and tailor your message to your audience.

➡ For small talk, focus on topics included in the FORD method: family, occupation, recreation, and dreams.

➡ Ask questions and summarize the other person's main points.

➡ and last but not least, make communication a priority for your development.

Inputs from: Harvard Division of Continuing Education & Professional Development - Harvard Division of Continuing Education

******

Are Life Skills Really Crucial?!

Each skill is unique in how it helps students, but they all have one quality in common. They’re essential in the age of the Internet.

Are Life Skills Really Crucial?!

Education should prepare our students for the future, whether that involves going on to further study, joining the world of work or becoming an engaged member of society.

21st Century skills are the abilities that today’s students need to succeed in their careers during the Information Age. These skills are intended to help students keep up with the lightning-pace of today’s modern markets. Each skill is unique in how it helps students, but they all have one quality in common. They’re essential in the age of the Internet.

According to Harvard University, all youth need to develop a set of core life skills to manage school, work, outside interests, and social relationships successfully. No one is born with these skills, but everyone can learn them through practice.

Adolescence is also a vital “window of opportunity” for building core life skills — and for practitioners/ teachers to provide support. During this period, the brain strengthens its most-used connections, making them faster and more efficient, and “prunes” away less-used ones.

No one is born with these skills, but everyone can learn them through practice.

As the different areas of the brain mature during adolescence, their ability to function as an interconnected system improves. Practicing core life skills during adolescence helps the brain build the most efficient pathways to support these skills throughout life. 

Shawn VanDerziel, Executive Director at National Association of Colleges and Employers, has pointed out 3 important concerns,

1. Communication, critical thinking, and teamwork are the most important competencies to have when entering the workforce.
   
2. Career centers alone cannot fix this.
   
3. Incorporating career readiness and career competencies into curricular and co-curricular activities is required - which should help narrow this perceived skills gap.

As per International Youth Foundation,

Life skills—like critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and conflict management to name only a few—are needed for success in life and work. We call them 'life skills' to encompass the ways this set of skills is transferable across a day, career, and lifetime. They are as necessary to navigating the relationships and day-to-day decisions that determine success in a family as they are on the job, at school, and within a community. Life skills training is a standard part of many youth employment programs because life skills are considered essential to the modern workplace and are expected to make youth more employable.

To paraphrase, renowned author Steve Taylore-Knowles:

"Education should prepare our students for the future, whether that involves going on to further study, joining the world of work or becoming an engaged member of society. Education is a process that enables students to take their place in society as effective learners, as effective professionals and as effective citizens. We need to equip our students with the kind of skills that will enable them to meet those challenges. These are skills that you, as a successful, effective #professional, probably use every day without too much thought. You go into a meeting and put forward your point of view while listening and absorbing the views of your colleagues. You make decisions, solve problems and communicate with others. And you use the same skills in many different aspects of your life."

******

Remember to Smile!

Smiling Can Trick Your Mind Into Being More Positive?

Remember to Smile!

There is a strong link between action and perception. When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way.

Do You Know Smiling Can Trick Your Mind Into Being More Positive?

Groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia confirms that the act of smiling can trick your mind into being more positive, simply by moving your facial muscles.

The study, published in Experimental-psychology evaluated the impact of a covert smile on perception of face and body expressions. In both scenarios, a smile was induced by participants holding a pen between their teeth, forcing their facial muscles to replicate the movement of a smile.

The research found that facial muscular activity not only alters the recognition of facial expressions but also body expressions, with both generating more positive emotions.

Dr. Marmolejo-Ramos says. “There is a strong link between action and perception. When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way.”

Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the average happy adult who smiles 40-50 times per day and the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day.

Smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits, including: 

• Reduced blood pressure 
• Increased endurance 
• Reduced pain 
• Reduced stress 
• Strengthened immune system

Someone has aptly remarked, 

"Use your smile to change the world but don’t let the world change your smile".

 ******

Mind Your Body Language

Mind Your Body Language

Your body language has a critical impact on your relationships with people. And while you may be quite good at reading other people, you probably have a way to go in understanding how you come across to them, which is only natural.

Review this list of nonverbal skills and work on any areas where you think you could improve,

- Avoid slouching. Sit with your back straight up against the chair or lean slightly forward to convey engagement. 

- Steer clear of smiles or laughter when messages are serious.

- Display some animation with your hands and facial expressions to project a dynamic presence. (But avoid talking with your hands excessively, which can appear unprofessional and unpolished.) 

- Eliminate fidgeting and shaking of limbs.

- Focus on the conversation.

- Introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake. Be sure that your palms are dry.

- Keep your hands away from your face and hair.

- Listen carefully, and do not interrupt.

- Modulate your vocal tone to express excitement and punctuate key points.

- Nod to demonstrate understanding.

- Observe the reaction of others to your statements.

- Read the nonverbal signals of others. Provide clarification if they look confused, and wrap up if they have heard enough.

- Refrain from forced laughter in response to humor.

- Avoid looking at the clock, your phone, or displaying any other signs of disinterest.

- Respect the amount of personal space preferred by your communication partners.

- Rotate eye contact with various speakers in group interviewing or networking situations.

- Smile to indicate that you are amused or pleased with the conversation.

- Steer clear of monotone delivery.

- Wait until the person is done talking to respond.

Best Teaching Practices for Law Academicians

Honored to conduct a hands-on workshop for UPES School of Law faculty members and contribute to the annual FDP.

Best Teaching Practices
for Law Academicians

It was an honor to conduct a hands-on workshop to build the capacity of UPES School of Law faculty members and contribute to the annual FDP.

Through a half-day workshop, we brainstormed and discussed the latest developments in teaching and learning like intrinsicmotivation, andragogy, generationz, bestpractices, hybridteaching, studentengagement, gamification etc.

It was quite impressive to witness the willingness to learn and give their best in the team challenges by all the participating faculty members to build a world-class law school. 

The success of the workshop, in no small part, goes to all the efforts made by the entire organizing team and the leadership. 

The success of the workshop, in no small part, goes to all the efforts made by the entire organizing team and the leadership. 

Here are the major pointers discussed in detail during the workshop,

1. I come from the training background. Before any training and development intervention, we always do TNA (Training Need Analysis). This is the very first step to start with.
2. The most important part is to know who the target audience is. Even their age group, their background etc. matter to us as trainers and then accordingly, we design as well as develop the whole training program to suit their needs.
3. Though the topic could be the same for all of my sessions but because my audience is different, I have to evolve and improvise my training material as well as training delivery accordingly.
4. I realized I am dealing with a generation that is super ambitious and they are digital natives. They don’t know landline or dial-up modem. They are tech-friendly and have their own unique characteristic. Yes, I am talking about generation Z.
5. Gen Z is the first generation to be spending more time online using a mobile phone each day then all other devices combined. Today’s teenagers are changing the ways all generations view the world.
6. Gen Z also creates more new online content than any other generation. They are not just consuming; they are creating. Their content is movies, games, and media. They think in 4D.
7. It’s a generation that has no idea what life before Google or a smartphone was like. They are a part of a unique do-it-yourself (DIY) culture – self-taught on YouTube or Google. They are visual in communication.
8. People speak different love languages. After many years of marriage counseling, Chapman’s conclusion is that there are 5 ways that people speak and understand emotional love. Chapman believes that, once you identify and learn to speak your spouse’s primary love language, you will have discovered the key to a long-lasting, loving marriage. Does it have any implications into teaching?
9. Every child is special. With all due respect, my own personal experience as a student and as a teacher has made me realize that there are no ‘bad’ students yet there are bad teaching styles though…It’s just that do we know their language?
   
   

   

   Topics for Poster Presentation as Team Challenge for Participating Law Faculty Members

   
   
10. The acronym VARK stands for Visual, Aural, Read/write, and Kinesthetic sensory modalities that are used for learning information. Fleming theorized that we are all one of four main types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinaesthetic. Understanding our brain’s psychology and how we best process information is one of the most crucial building blocks for educational success.
11. Adult educator and researcher Malcolm Knowles adopted the term “andragogy” to refer to the unique motivators adult learners used. While children required more extrinsic motivation and relied on instructor-led methods, Knowles noticed that adults were self-directed and relied heavily on their past life experiences when they approached learning opportunities.
12. If you can ignite a spark or love for learning and growth in a student, more than half the job is done already!
13. Don’t use fear of punishment as a motivator all the time. Make every student feel capable. Help them trust themselves to succeed.
14. Give accurate and authentic performance feedback. Stimulate cognitive curiosity by presenting a problem or question as a puzzle to be solved.
15. Connect games and learning. Talk about it. Set a greater goal. Show how knowledge applies in real life.
16. Course assignments should relate to students’ real-life experiences. Give students a sense of ownership and control.
17. Be a storyteller. Track student performance. Flip your classroom to stimulate deeper discussion.
18. Find what inspires your students. Keep it interactive. Make your students feel valued.
19. For asynchronous sessions, create back-and-forth dialogue in online forums. Gamify with teaching if possible.
20. Provide timely and useful feedback. Develop participation as a skill. Have students earn points. Create an addiction to learning.

*UPES School of Law is ranked 21st in India in the Law Category by NIRF 2022, offering unmatched global opportunities with multidisciplinary and holistic learning.

Many thanks for such wonderful words and kind remarks. 
Glad to see such active participation and highest professionalism

******

7 Quick Pointers to Succeed at Cold Calling

image credit: oneofakindsales

7 Quick Pointers to Succeed at Cold Calling

Recently, I received a query from one of my global learners from Peru. She is a brilliant scholar and an aspiring entrepreneur. She tried to approach and 'cold called' a renowned economist from Peru. Unfortunately, all her efforts went in vain. Here is my response to her email where I shared 7 quick pointers with her, to succeed at cold calling. 

Here is what she wrote to me, 

---------------------------------

Dear Mr. Gaurav,

I have a question. You talked in your presentation about seeking mentors. I have previously tried to reach out to people, perhaps not for mentorship but just a piece of brief advice. More than a week ago, I submitted an essay for the John Locke institute essay competition, since I am passionate about economics. In my essay, I cited and based my main idea on a book from a renowned economist from my country (Peru), but when I tried to reach out to him I didn't get any response. I emailed him, his research group, his wife (who is kind of in the public eye too), congressmen that are from his political party (we founded a party), and a congressman that is a great economist too. As you might have guessed, I called and emailed but have gotten no real response.
My question is: How can I be successful at cold emailing or calling? How can I get an answer? 

---------------------------------

And my response to her:

Dear Lucia, 

Greetings from India!

Thanks for your query. Good to hear that you have previously tried to reach out to people for a piece of brief advice. It's nice that you submitted an essay for the John Locke institute essay competition, since you are passionate about economics.

It's impressive that you cited and based your main idea on a book from a renowned economist from your country (Peru). Unfortunately, you tried to reach out to him but you didn't get any response.

I appreciate your efforts that you emailed him, his research group, his wife (who is kind of in the public eye too), congressmen that are from his political party, and a congressman that is a great economist too.

It's quite unexpected that you called and emailed but have gotten no real response. As far as your question (How can I be successful at cold emailing or calling? How can I get an answer?) is concerned, there are so many factors that play a crucial role in getting a positive result out of such cold calling, 

Here are 7 of those important pointers that need urgent attention to be successful in cold calling,

1. First and foremost, research your prospect. It should be a pre-call ritual. Your outreach strategy should always begin with research. By tracking down key information about them, you can create content (for your request to connect) with value and keep their attention.
   
   
2. Write an outline of what you want to say/ request. Leverage the right words. Write up a quick (30 seconds or less) script that is appealing as well as convincing. 
   
   
3. Prepare a strong opening sentence. You have 10 seconds to prove that you’re worth talking to, so differentiate yourself. After introducing yourself, turn the focus to your prospect by weaving in your research and personalizing the phone call.
   
   
4. It's true that rejection brings emotional pain. Let the rejection motivate you. Don’t take it personally. Keep a positive attitude and continue learning from your mistakes. 
   
   
5. Practice makes perfect. Never go into a cold call completely, well, unprepared. The more confident you become, the easier cold calling will be.
   
   
6. Leave a voicemail. If you leave a voicemail with your name, the reason for calling, and your phone number, it’s more likely that the prospect will call you back. Voicemails should be short, clear, and straight to the point. 
   
   
7. Last but not least, don’t give up…too fast. Be prepared to follow up. 
   
   
   
   Best,
   Gaurav

******

Famous Personalities Who Suffered from Glossophobia

Even famous individuals have suffered from glossophobia.

Famous Personalities Who Suffered from Glossophobia

You might find it hard to believe that some of the most famous people in the world tremble at the thought of speaking in front of an audience, but as this list shows, anyone can suffer from glossophobia:

Entrepreneur Richard Branson still breaks out in a cold sweat at the memory of his first speech in front of classmates at school. Although he admits to still loathing public speaking, Branson uses a few tips to help him cope with large audiences and is one of the highest-paid speakers in the world.

Harrison Ford has called public speaking "a mixed bag of terror and anxiety," but that hasn't prevented the "Star Wars" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" actor from starring in numerous blockbuster movies and receiving the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Institute.

Before becoming one of the highest-earning stand-up comedians, Jim Gaffigan had stage fright and a fear of public speaking when he first began performing in front of an audience.

When Samuel L. Jackson was a child, his speech therapist suggested acting to help combat his debilitating stutter and speaking phobia. Jackson has gone on to win an Academy Award and appear in more than 120 movies.

Julia Roberts went from a stutterer with a fear of public speaking as a child to giving a memorable acceptance speech when she won the Best Actress Oscar for "Erin Brockovich" in 2001.

As the list above indicates, even famous individuals have suffered from glossophobia; however, they were able to overcome their fear and find success in their professional lives. 

To conquer stage fright is to get up on stage and play. Every time you play another show, it gets better and better.

******

Why Are Life Skills Important?

Life skills education is utmost necessary for the young generation. 

Why Are Life Skills Important? 

"So I see my purpose in life, my mission in my work, is to reduce suffering, specifically of students so that they can be more engaged in their academic work, in their lives, and to thrive and flourish."                                                                                                                                                                   - Nic Voge

I vividly remember watching a Ted Talk by Nic Voge, Senior Associate Director of Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, and these words absolutely resonated with him. Since the pandemic started in 2019, he has been doing exactly the same thing “Reduce Suffering”, “Reduce Life Skills Gap”, and “Reduce Learning Loss” in his own unique ways.

As a life skills educator, I teach life skills like leadership and teamwork, ability to communicate and collaborate and so on. With my decade long experience of dealing with the youth from India and abroad, I strongly believe that life skills education is utmost necessary for the young generation. 

The strangest part is that though life skills permeate every area and aspect of life, still not taught in all schools and colleges. According to National Center for Education Statistics report, many employers are finding that recent graduates are unprepared to succeed in the workforce because they lack foundational soft skills (= life skills). As per UNICEF, investing in the world’s 1.2 billion adolescents aged 10-19 could break entrenched cycles of unemployment and inequity.

India is home to more than 253 million adolescents. Caste, gender, poverty and location continue to pose barriers for many young people to realize their full potential. There is an increasingly stronger focus on developing comprehensive life skills in children and young people in India and across the world so that they become empowered and responsible citizens of the society.

Life skills are necessary in helping children and young people feel a deep sense of empowerment. The empowered individuals are able to recognize their own identity and worth, that of others, and bring together a group’s strengths to contribute to the personal and social transformation. Research indicates a positive correlation between life skills and increased attendance levels, enhanced classroom behaviour and improved academic achievement. Given the positive correlation between life skills and learning outcomes, the role of life skills education within school curriculum and in the community becomes very important.

According to HBR (Harvard Business Review), “Many students are currently being prepared for jobs that no longer exist, and many don’t have the right skills for the job they want. This becomes even more problematic as more and more of our work tasks are automated. But it also means that they’ll need to be better prepared for what lies ahead: more and more employers are going to require exceptional power skills (life skills) — the ability to listen, and communicate effectively.”

There is no doubt that life skills are essential skills for our young generation and I realized it quite early in my career. Since the beginning, I have been advocating quite strongly about life skills education. In other words, education without skills like communication, leadership, problem solving, creativity etc. is incomplete.

2021 Job Outlook report shows that nearly all employers consider life skills (like leadership, communication etc.) to be key skills for recent college grads entering the workforce. Students can stand out and prepare for a successful transition to the workforce if we provide them resources to help boost their proficiency in life skills.

During my decade long experience of imparting life skills education, I have seen a tremendous shift in learners’ knowledge, skills, and attitude post their participation in life skills courses. Having witnessed such positive change in hundreds and hundreds of learners, I do aspire to develop an innovative platform that could equip the students (from all around the world) with such crucial life skills.   

Gen Z and Future of Work

Technology overuse has indeed weakened their life skills.

Gen Z and Future of Work 

Schools, as well as universities, must carve out part of their curriculum to teach life skills. If we know that we're going to have a life skills shortage in the future, we need to start preparing for that today.

It’s a fact that Generation Z (born between 1995 to 2009) and Generation Alpha (born between 2010 to 2020) have been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus crisis. A Deloitte study confirms that Gen Z is very concerned about their ability to communicate and they recognize that their social skills are weak. 

A study by Cigna of 20,000 people found that the growing amount of time these teens are spending on their mobile devices, and specifically on social media, is contributing to the growth in their anxiety and that Gen Z scored highest for loneliness even over senior citizens (48% vs. 39%). 

According to one more recent study, Gen Zs acknowledge they need help in developing interpersonal skills as they find themselves struggling to get into the workforce.

Technology overuse has indeed weakened their soft skills (please read life skills) while simultaneously automating technical skills, increasing the demand for workers with strong life skills. 

These life skills will be in short supply in the future, as per a global survey by The Workforce Institute. Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn CEO says that the largest professional skills gap right now is in the area of life skills - the stuff robots can't do yet.

Melissa Kersey, McDonald’s USA chief people officer asserts, “Life skills, such as teamwork, people skills, and responsibility are seen as more important than hard skills, such as computer programming or accounting, for positioning young generation for success at the beginning of a career. If we don’t address the current gap in life skills, particularly for Gen Zs, it will have a detrimental impact on the future of work.” 

According to McKinsey’s research, between 2016 and 2030 demand for life skills will grow across all industries by 26 per cent. Schools, as well as universities, must carve out part of their curriculum to teach life skills. 

If we know that we're going to have a life skills shortage in the future, we need to start preparing for that today. As per a recent Tallo survey of over 2,400 Gen Z students, universities should focus on helping Gen Zers translate those skills they’ve developed as students into life skills that will be attractive for potential employers. 

Until this happens, there will always be a life skills gap. To remedy this and build their confidence, one step universities can take is to help their students equip themselves with essential life skills.  

In addition to this, the COVID-19 pandemic caused turmoil in the entire world and education was one of the worst affected areas. The pandemic disrupted education in over 150 countries and affected 1.6 billion students. 

Here are 10 most important life skills, (as compiled by the Forbes Coaches Council) which need to be inculcated by the next generation to become more life-fit and industry-ready,

1. Empathy

2. Interpersonal Skills

3. Emotional Intelligence

4. Curiosity and Positivity

5. Active Listening

6. Humility

7. Communication Skills

8. Creative Problem-Solving

9. Resilience

10. Observation Skills

******

COMMON INTERNSHIP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

 COMMON INTERNSHIP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Tell me about yourself. 
2. Can you walk me through your resume? 
3. Why are you interested in this internship? 
4. What are your strengths? 
5. What are your weaknesses? 
6. What are you passionate about? 
7. How would your boss/friends/co-workers describe you? 
8. What are your hobbies? 
9. Where do you see yourself in five years? 
10. What attracted you to our company? 
11. Do you have prior experience? 
12. Tell me about a challenging project or assignment you completed recently. 
13. What accomplishments are you most proud of? 
14. What skills can you bring to the company? 
15. How do you deal with stressful situations? 
16. What do you know about our company? 
17. Why did you choose your major? 
18. Why did you apply for this position? 
19. Why should we hire you? 
20. Do you work better alone or with a team? 
21. Who was the most difficult person you ever worked with? 
22. Tell me about a time when you successfully led a team. 
23. How would others describe you? 
24. What is an example of a conflict you had to resolve? 
25. Tell me about a tough decision you’ve had to make. 
26. What type of work environment do you prefer? 
27. Do you prefer to work on a team or independently? 
28. Why did you choose this university? 
29. How do you organize your time and set priorities in a typical day? 
30. What are/were your favorite and least favorite classes? 
31. What are you looking for in your ideal position? 
32. What are your plans after graduation? 
33. What motivates you to achieve your goals? 
34. Would you rather complete a job on time or do it right? 
35. Tell me about a time when you received negative feedback on your work.
36. Why are you the best candidate for this internship? 
37. What type of work environment do you prefer? 
38. What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you? 
39. Tell me about a time you had to quickly learn something new. 
40. Do you have any questions for me? 
    
    
    
    ******

NO. 1 LIFE SKILL, NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOL!

NO. 1 LIFE SKILL,
NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOL!

'Conversation' is number one life skill that is not taught in school and young adults need real-life skills empowerment now more than ever.

Do you know which lifeskill permeates every area and aspect of life, still not taught in school?

The answer is 'Conversation'.

Conversing with coworkers, bosses, loved ones, friends, spouses, neighbors, acquaintances, etc., all require certain social norms and boundaries to be observed—such as mutualrespect and give-and-take—whether it’s face to face, by email, and telephone. 

The younger generation has been called the ‘silent generation’, due to communicating overwhelmingly via technology, which is a medium that does not require actually speaking to anyone, such as texting, social media messages, email, and so on.

In so doing, their personal communicationskills are being hindered. The broader outcome could be social isolation, arrested social development, and not learning from the common lot of other’s experiences and mistakes who are their age and older, which could potentially become a barrier to rewarding careers.

Knowing how to connect with others, being empathetic, when to speak and when to listen, is of great value in the workplace and in interpersonal relationships. To learn the art of conversation is to actually do it, with peers and other varied and diverse people.

As per reports*, 'Conversation' is number one life skill that is not taught in school and young adults need real-life skills empowerment now more than ever.

*credit: Successful Student