The True Value and Importance of Communication

Communication is extremely valuable in all relationships and in almost every setting. If you want to have a successful relationship with your spouse you must be able to communicate effectively with each other. If you want to have a positive relationship with your children, then you have to learn to communicate with them. Communication in the business world is just as important. As a business leader you must be able to communicate with your team and vise versa. It’s also important to have strong communication with your customers. The fact is, no matter what type of relationship it is, effective communication is going to be part of any recipe for success.
Ajay Banga and the Value of Communication
That point was driven home by Ajay Banga, president and chief executive officer of MasterCard, during an interview at an event at Stanford back in 2014. In addition, to being the CEO, Mr. Banga is also a member of the company’s board of directors. Before joining MasterCard, Mr. Banga was CEO of Citigroup Asia Pacific.
Listen and Learn
According to Mr. Banga, the importance of communication in the business world cannot be understated. “If you know how to communicate well, which by the way is the most underrated attribute when you’re young, but the most important attribute as you grow, is your communication,” then the opportunities are endless. Mr. Banga said that another important lesson he has learned is that if you have the drive and the passion to succeed, along with the ability to communicate well, “then there’s a whole new world out there.” Another important aspect of communication is effective listening, which is what takes to be able to learn from others. Mr. Banga said, the best way to be successful when starting a new relationship with a company is to “take the approach that you can learn from everybody. They’ve all got something they can teach you, and then you can bring the value you bring. But you’ve got to learn from everybody.” When you go about starting a new business relationship in this manner, Mr. Banga said, “It changes everything.”
Recipe for Success
This is the true recipe for success when it comes to communication. You have to be willing to listen to, and learn from, others and then share what you know with them. Learning the true value and importance of communication when you’re young can play a huge role in helping you develop and grow in your business career and opportunities, which will lead to real and lasting success.
Why Structure Is the Enemy of Innovation | Richard Dasher
About Richard Dasher Richard Dasher has been Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center since 1994 and served concurrently as Executive Director of the Center for Integrated Systems since 1998. He holds Consulting Professor appointments in Electrical Engineering (technology management), Asian Languages (Japanese business), and at the GSB (with the Stanford Program on Regions…
Inspiring a Sustainable Future Through Storytelling | Rita Whitney
About Rita Whitney Rita joined the Board in June 2010 and serves on the Mission Fulfillment Committee. She is CEO of Ravivant LLC, a Board member of United States Fencing Association (Central California Division) and Executive Director of the Stanford Fencing Association. Having grown up in New York City, Rita observed many situations where…
What Venture Capitalists Want | Wally Hawley
About Wally Hawley Wally Hawley is a co-founder of InterWest Partners (1979), one of the larger venture capital partnerships in the United States, formed to make equity investments in diversified U.S. growth companies. His prior experience includes seven years as President of SHV North America Holding Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of a Netherlands…
Venture Capital’s Role in Nuclear Science | Ray Rothrock
About Ray Rothrock As a venture capitalist for more than two decades, Ray has assisted entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams and produced outstanding financial returns for his limited partners. He has personally discovered, created and guided more than 50 companies in the Venrock portfolio through their early stages of formation and emerging growth. Beginning…