Here’s a piece of good, practical advice from the late entrepreneur Jim Rohn. He said, “Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.”

We’ve become more relaxed and informal as technology shapes the way we connect. So, today, effective communication isn’t always given the credit it deserves. Yet, there are always settings in which more formal, persuasive communication is appropriate, such as job interviews, presentations, certain meetings, even report writing.

Effective communication is like a muscle. Exercise it to make it stronger. Any time you speak with or to someone – individually or in a group – or write a report, use the moment as an opportunity to train yourself to deliver a clear, complete message, with emotional intelligence.