Stephen Maranian Discusses the Importance of Excellent Communication Skills in an Army Officer’s Career

Photo: Stephen Maranian, makes remarks at a ceremony at which he was promoted to Brigadier General at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in May 2017.

There is no single factor or “silver bullet” that guarantees that an officer will have a successful career in the Army. Success derives from hard work, the ability to effectively accomplish tasks and lead soldiers, and a commitment to life-long learning. There are several skills that an officer must master to be effective and rise in rank in the Army. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are amongst the most important for an officer to possess. In this article I will discuss the importance of effective communication in an officer’s ability to rise in rank in the Army.

Why are Communications a Skills Vital for an Army Officer to Master

Communicating well is inherent to an officer’s ability to lead. Whether it be on the battlefield, in the halls of the Pentagon, or training in the field, communicating clearly is essential. Providing vision, direction, guidance, and oversight occurs in various fora and through various methods but is fundamental to mission accomplishment. Good leaders provide intent and vision to their team. Excellent leaders consistently communicate not only with those accountable to them, but also up the chain and laterally. Synchronizing efforts by nesting initiatives with those of the officer’s higher headquarters is essential. Communicating well at the echelon ensures understanding and enables subordinate leaders to operate within the intent of their commanders.

Speaking Well Matters

Communication is most effective when a blended approach is utilized. When time permits, a face-to-face exchange of information supplemented by a written product is ideal, but that is not always possible. Army units often operate in time-constrained circumstances which preclude detailed written guidance or an iterative and collaborative dialogue to optimize understanding of the mission. In those circumstances, leaders must be able to communicate their vision and intent broadly, clearly, and succinctly. The ability to speak clearly and well is vital. Even when time is short, a back-and-forth exchange to confirm understanding is optimal to ensure that what is said is fully understood.

Writing Effectively

There is a tension between detail and brevity. French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal once famously wrote: “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Detail can be good, but in time-constrained environments, brevity and clarity are paramount. This is exceptionally important when communicating with senior officers. The volume of information that senior leaders absorb daily is vast and the range of topics is broad. Senior leaders are often over-scheduled and don’t have all the time that they need or desire to conduct face-to-face conversations about important topics. It is, therefore, imperative that the written communication that senior leaders receive is both clear and concise.

Improving Communication Skills

While some officers that join the Army are naturally gifted communicators, both written and oral communications are skills that can be learned. Even the most skilled communicators can get better. The best way to get better at communicating is to practice; repetition is essential. Speaking and writing are things that officers do every day, and while improvement occurs as a by-product of doing their job, the most effective way to improve is by an explicit and focused effort.

In the end, excellent communication skills are essential to an officer’s success and therefore an important factor in their ability to be promoted to senior rank and command in the Army.