What inspired you to write Mastering Communication Skills for Personal and Professional Success?
I work at a college where most students come from rural backgrounds. These students are talented and intelligent, yet they struggle to compete with students from urban areas. While they possess strong technical knowledge, they often have difficulty expressing it during competitions and placement interviews. Some students manage to handle these rejections and failures, but most become stressed and demotivated.
Training and public speaking have been my passion since childhood. I took every opportunity to improve my skills, and today, I am an international trainer and global speaker. Students frequently come to me to discuss their career and placement-related issues, and I always help them. I thought, why not compile my expertise and advice for students into a book? This would be helpful for many students from rural areas who are struggling to excel in their careers.
Although this book wouldn’t have been possible without the motivation from my parents and the support of my family, my students are the true inspiration behind writing it.
In your opinion, why are communication skills so essential in both personal and professional contexts?
There is a misconception that communication skills are only needed for a good career. In professional life, your success and relationships with clients and co-workers depend on how effectively you communicate with them. Speaking and writing skills are essential for conveying your work and achievements to others. Similarly, in personal life, a lack of communication skills or communication gaps can create distance in your relationships and may lead to a lack of peace of mind.
Your book covers different types of communication skills. Which skill do you think is often the most overlooked, and why?
In my opinion, listening is the most overlooked skill. Many people complain that the younger generation doesn’t like going to the library and reading. Reading cannot be considered outdated because they prefer reading through websites and e-books instead of traditional books. However, listening is lacking as their patience levels are decreasing. They may enjoy watching a video or reading something on their phone, but they rarely prefer listening to a speech. Nevertheless, a person cannot become an expert in communication without learning to listen.
You’ve participated in over 400 events globally. How have these experiences shaped your ideas and teaching methods on effective communication?
I believe in learning from every person and experience in life. All the events that have been part of my journey as a speaker and trainer have contributed to my knowledge. I have always learned something new from the people, students, and everyone I’ve met. Before any training or talk, I prepare thoroughly. I review my previous photographs and videos, which helps with self-analysis, allowing me to identify and correct any flaws I noticed in my earlier performances. Additionally, I encourage feedback from participants, as it provides valuable opportunities for improvement. I have also learned to incorporate icebreakers and activities during training sessions, talks, and workshops, tailored to the participants and available resources.
You’ve received numerous awards for your contributions to education, training, and humanitarian work. What do these accolades mean to you personally, and how have they motivated you to continue?
All the awards and accolades I have received motivate me to keep moving forward. I believe that success is not about achieving a goal and then becoming idle. Success should be continuous, and we should always be on a journey to learn new things and accomplish new goals. However, it’s important to focus on enjoying the journey rather than worrying about the destination. Every achievement inspires me to keep moving forward.
What’s the one key takeaway you hope readers will gain from your book, Mastering Communication Skills for Personal and Professional Success?
One key takeaway is that communication skills are the essence of life. They can never be ignored and are essential for a peaceful and sustainable life.
Where can readers order copies of ‘Mastering Communication Skills for Personal and Professional Success’?
Readers can order their copies of the book from the online bookstore of Literature Light or online shopping sites like Amazon.
Are you on social media? How can our readers reach you?
You can reach me through LinkedIn or send me an email at anjumnazirqureshi@gmail.com.
Thanks for your time! It was a pleasure talking to you about your book. I wish you best of luck for the future!
Thank you very much. I also enjoyed talking to you.
