Imagine if your manager asked you to pitch a new product to your client. You are put in charge of the entire project?from making the presentation to delivering it and addressing follow-up questions. This may sound like a daunting task if speaking in front of strangers makes you nervous. You are also stressed because if you mess it up, it might result in significant losses for your organization.

If you want to make an impact and build your presence in a professional setting, developing four basic communication skills is key. These basic communication skills are speaking, writing, listening and reading.

The way you communicate with others and present your ideas makes a lasting impression on people. Are you able to get your point across succinctly? Or do you end up writing long passages to convey your message?

It?s not easy to write with brevity and clarity, listen without getting distracted or speak engagingly. But with practice and dedication, you can be an expert at all of them.

Let?s explore the basics of communication and look at each of these four basic communication skills.