RICS mandatory competencies - Communication and negotiation

At level 1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of effective oral, written, graphic and presentation skills including the methods and techniques that are appropriate to specific situations.

Oral communication

As a quantity surveyor there is a constant need to communicate all thoughts and ideas to deliver right accurate information to all client/third parties/team.  The success to effective communication lie in :

Listening - Apart from speaking your mind out, communication is also about listening   Focus on what they are saying and reflect on that conversation later.

Honesty - Talk truthfully and honestly. Speak clearly and properly. Also try to be precise about the subject that you are speaking on. 

Taking Criticism Positively - If someone comes to you with criticism, it's just a natural human response to defend your stance. Try to take criticism positively and constructively will project a good image about your confidence in the matter.

Avoiding Arguments - Try to have a healthy conversation, instead of turning into an argument.   Always trying to find a win win, constructive solution in your argument.

Written communication
In workplaces, we constantly communicating through email, reports and letters.  There is a professional stiffness that is commanded and needed in order to maintain a level of respect, precision and clarity. The hierarchy in a company also follows a chain of command that is practiced when it comes to who communicates to whom, and how the message gets across using the right people intended to be in touch with first, before it is carried forward to the appropriate party.

A report should be orderly that seeks truth and interprets facts into constructive ideas and suggestions.  Once all the facts are collected, they are organized and presented in a report designed to meet a need for specific information.

Presentation

Presentations are ways of communicating ideas and information to a group.  It carries the speaker's personality and allows immediate interaction between all the participants.

A good presentation contains at least four elements:

o   Content — It contains information that people need and must account for how much information the audience can absorb in one sitting.

o   Structure — It must be sequenced and paced so that the audience can understand it.  

o   Packaging — It must be well prepared.  

o   Human Element — It has a person attached to it.  
 

At level 2

Provide evidence of practical application of oral, written, graphic and presentation skills that are appropriate in a variety of situations, specifically including where negotiation is involved.

At level 3

Provide evidence of evaluation of your communication in a variety of situations.