The Most Underrated Degree: Communication Skills East and West

One of the most trashed degrees in academia is communication. Let’s be honest—it doesn’t have the glamour of engineering, the rigor of law, or the paycheck of computer science. Yet, if you ask top CEOs or look at history’s greatest leaders, communication emerges as the superpower that drives success.

It’s not just a modern corporate buzzword. Even the Buddha himself—the ultimate teacher—spent countless lifetimes mastering the art of teaching and communication. Yes, lifetimes. If communication is good enough for the Buddha and today’s business leaders, maybe it’s time we rethink how we value it.

The Buddha’s Lifelong Journey to Teach the World

Before he became the Buddha, Sumedha the Hermit (สุเมธดาบส) was already enlightened enough to reach Nirvana. He could’ve ended the cycle of rebirth, escaping suffering forever. But he didn’t. Why? Because his ultimate goal wasn’t just personal liberation. He wanted to help others break free, too.

And here’s the catch: guiding others toward enlightenment isn’t easy. Teaching requires clarity, patience, and, most importantly, communication skills. To achieve this, the Buddha spent lifetimes cultivating the ability to inspire, connect, and guide. Over four asankheyyas (มหากัปป์)—an almost incomprehensible stretch of time—he honed these skills, ensuring he could fulfill his role as the world’s teacher.

Think about it: even someone destined for greatness needed to practice communication to be effective. If the Buddha needed lifetimes, what does that say about how much we should value this skill?

The Western Perspective: Communication as a Leadership Superpower

Now, let’s jump to the modern corporate world. Leaders like Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture, consistently emphasize that communication is critical for success. It’s not just about delivering a polished speech or writing a compelling email. Great leaders use communication to:

• Inspire action by painting a clear vision.

• Build trust through transparency.

• Connect diverse teams with shared goals.

Communication is what makes leadership effective. It’s why CEOs spend years refining their ability to speak, listen, and adapt. Whether they’re addressing employees, investors, or the world at large, how they communicate shapes their impact.

It’s no surprise that communication is one of the top skills sought by employers. The ability to articulate ideas, foster collaboration, and navigate complex conversations is invaluable—whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or working on a small team.

Why Do We Undervalue Communication Skills?

So, if communication is so crucial, why does it get so little respect in academia and beyond? The problem lies in how we perceive it. We label it as “soft” and assume it comes naturally. But the truth is, communication is a complex skill that requires practice, just like coding or calculus.

Consider this: technical skills get you in the door, but communication helps you move up. You can have the best idea in the world, but if you can’t explain it or inspire others to act, it goes nowhere.

The Buddha understood this. Julie Sweet and other top leaders understand it, too. So why don’t we?

Communication as a Lifelong Practice

The Buddha spent lifetimes practicing communication, not because it was easy, but because it was necessary to fulfill his mission. Similarly, today’s most successful leaders continue to refine their communication skills throughout their careers.

For the rest of us, the lesson is clear: communication isn’t just a skill—it’s the foundation of leadership, teaching, and connection. It’s how we inspire change, create value, and leave a lasting impact.

So, the next time you hear someone dismiss communication as a “soft skill” or an unworthy degree, remind them of the Buddha’s journey. If he saw communication as worth lifetimes of effort, maybe it’s time we give it the respect it deserves.

What do you think? Have you seen the power of great communication in your life or work? Share your thoughts—I’d love to hear your perspective!

Reference in Thai: https://kalyanamitra.org/th/article_detail.php?i=13385