Here I am with trainer Ricky Lien showing off my latest book Communication for Business 4th edition. If you think about it, everything you do in the workplace results from communication. So it's obvious that if you are to to complete your tasks and achieve your goals, good reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are essential. As you develop your career you will find many reasons why successful communication skills are important to you. For example, you will need to request information, discuss problems, give instructions, work in teams, interact with colleagues and clients. If you are to achieve co-operation and effective teamwork, good human relations skills are essential. Also, as the workplace is also becoming more global, there are many factors to consider if you are to communicate well in such a diverse environment.

Employers want staff who can think for themselves, use initiative and solve problems, staff who are interested in the long-term success of the company. If you are to be seen as a valued member of the organisation, it is important not just to be able to do your job well, but also to communicate your thoughts on how the processes and products or services can be improved.

Boost Your Business Communication Skills
If you want to polish up both your written and oral communication skills, don't miss my workshop Boost Your Business Communication Skills on 20 September. As well as taking a look at the A-Z of common communication blunders, I will share with you some simple techniques that will transform your communication skills, increase the impact of your communications, and ensure that all your messages - both written and oral - are effective.

REMEMBER: Today's workplace is constantly changing, so learning more about effective communication will help us all adapt to our changing environments.

What is leadership? Is leadership just your boss and all the other senior management? What about you? Are you part of leadership? In fact, whose job is it to be a leader?

Ricky Lien, a leadership consultant, says that leadership is everyone's business. Read the rest of Ricky's article and help yourself along the path of leadership.

What's your personal vision? If leadership is all about knowing where we want to go, then it is our business to ensure that we all have, first of all, a personal vision. Secondly, leadership is to subscribe to a shared vision in your organisation.

Which road will you take? Along the way, there'll be many crooked pathways and dragons that may waylay us. Do we take the road less travelled? Do we take the safer route? Often we'll ask ourselves about the decisions that our so-called leaders are making for us. Is it a good decision for us? Does it fulfill our values and our need for wholesomeness?

What other questions will need answering? These and many questions are always on our minds. Of course, there are other things to be considered. Like the most basic of questions:

Where are we now?
Where do we want to go?
What do we need to do to get there?

Leadership is a journey. Yes, leadership is a journey, not the destination. Before we can start, we need to know exactly where we are, and where we want to go. It's like going into a travel agency and saying to them, 'I want to go on a trip!' And they'll ask you the question, 'Where to?' It would be silly if you were to reply, 'I don't know, just anywhere will do as long as I'm travelling!'

A silly scenario? Maybe. But think how often many people come up with the same blank answer when asked about where they're going? They might say, 'I don't know, I just work here, and as long as I get my pay, don't bother me!'

Be more proactive! We really need to be more proactive when it comes to the question of leadership. That's why Ricky Lien has put together a 12-week series of complimentary seminars called, 'The Challenge Of Leadership'. There are no punches or tricks to these complimentary seminars, no strings attached. Anyone can attend - simply e-mail afizah@mindsetmedia.com.sg and let her know that you're coming, and bring along a colleague too.

If you like the subject of leadership, or think you have something to learn in this topic, don't miss out. The 12 complimentary seminars are held every Wednesday from 7pm-9pm. And if you want to say something about the topic, at the end of each session, there's always an open forum of 15 minutes to have your say on 'leadership'. See you there!

Here I am at Ron's 60th birthday party in the UK in August. What a great party it was. Thanks to Caroline and Ron, and to all my other friends in the UK for making me so welcome.