Looking back on his surprise path to the presidency, one of Gerald Ford’s main regrets came from the course of study he took in college. He would write in his memoirs that if he could go back, the two main things he would have studied were writing and public speaking. Writing well and speaking confidently and articulately before an audience were the two main skills he used in every facet of his life as a leader, and they were the two things he— like most students—got the least instruction in.
With all that has changed since Ford went to college (class of ’35), how little has happened to disrupt that. Nothing remains more important than effective communication.
Kids learn dance in PE but pubic speaking and debate are optional, extracurricular activities. How nuts is that? Kids are evaluated on standardized tests . . . as if effective communication can possibly be captured via multiple choice. In fact, the questions and passages on standardized tests are often the epitome of poor writing and ineffective communication! If schools aren’t going to do it, we parents have to. It’s on us to teach our kids these important skills—to make sure they’re able to express themselves on the page and in person. We’ve got to give them the opportunities to get up and address an audience—and encourage the confidence required to be comfortable doing so.
Whatever happens in the future, communication will be key (and king). It’s your job to make sure they’re ready.