What are the key skillsets for internal communicators in 2021 and beyond? 6 comms pros share their views

Editor’s note: We are re-running the top stories of 2021 as part of our year-end countdown.

The communication profession is at a fascinating crossroads.

More than mere messengers, scribes or mouthpieces, comms pros are trusted advisers, strategy shapers and vision casters. The corporate weight and authority given to the job is rising. So, too, are the skills required.

After the traumas of 2020, communicators are exerting more influence at their companies and forging cultural shifts centered on employee well-being. However, the job increasingly calls for a broad array of skills that range from journalism to psychology and more, including technical aspects of data interpretation.

What will it take for communicators to keep increasing their influence in 2021? Which skills, talents or capabilities will help you advance their careers in what will surely be another tumultuous year?

We sought the views of a variety of expert communicators, who emphasized skills like bridge-building, listening, empathy, patience, and moral clarity. Here’s a deeper look at their views.

Which skills will reign supreme in 2021