Communication unlocks valuable opportunities

We humans are all social creatures.

It’s silly to think that we can live without making contact with other people.

Almost every action in our lives is linked to what happens outside of ourselves.

Even in the simplest of scenarios such as seeking directions in a remote corner of the city where Google Maps doesn’t reach . . .

you naturally turn to the knowledge of people who live there to get the information you need.

Communication is everywhere.

Whenever actions you take involve you or others — communication will always be present.

Both are necessary for anyone who wants to unlock valuable opportunities in their life.

You won't realise how having lunch with friends is an opportunity for new job prospects if there's no communication between the two of you.

You won't realise how reflecting on your thoughts alone is an opportunity to understand your emotions better if there's no communication inside of you.

I see some people in their lives thinking that their success is solely attributed to what they consider as hard skills — programming, biology, and design.

They don't realize that the value of their skills only holds as long as others perceive them that way.

Value is how you make money.

Hiring manager offers you a job because of the value you hold in the form of knowledge and skills.

Customers pay for your products because of the value attached to the product that can benefit them.

And that value can be perceived as valuable if you succeed in delivering it in front of people's eyes in a persuasive and impactful manner — this is where communication holds the key to achieving it.

There are 2 dichotomies of communication:

They are very useful for presenting whatever you have to people's attention.

They play a role in how others will perceive you — whether they wish to collaborate with you or not.

You tell the hiring manager your skills and experience through writing on CV.

You show your capability and expertise through speaking during an interview with the hiring manager.

To make it even further . . .

you can make the most out of communication by doing it online through content creation — you spread your expertise and unique point of view to more people than if it were done offline.

People still don’t realise how powerful social media is

Speaking and writing are how to make other people know what you do.

When you master those two — you win.

Marketer who sells a course is a scam if there is no positive behavioral change among the members.

Programmer who excels in Python is meaningless if no one knows about their expertise.

You may have seen a guy who is less capable earning a much higher salary than you.

Even when you think you are skilled enough — people still don’t recognise you as someone who should have more money than him.

That is because people perceive him as more valuable than you.

In relationships . . .

you may think you are highly evolved — but if you sit inside all day, potential partners won't have a chance to get to know you.

you may think you only need to place yourself in a pool of potential partners — but if they can’t see where you fit into their life, they won't care about you.

You have 2 jobs here:

If no one knows about what you create, it isn’t valuable.

If no one cares about your creation, it isn’t valuable.

Don't be a starving artist who thinks their work is the best while others couldn't care less . . .

nor a sleazy salesman who talks a lot but has no impact with their words.

Vertical and horizontal growth is how you become irreplaceable.

That is when you pair communication (speaking and writing) with your domain of mastery.

That’s it for this week, my friends.

Thank you for reading — and expect the next JS Letter in 2 weeks.

Talk soon,

Jalal