ABSTRACT
A paradox consists of multiple true, but seemingly contradictory, propositions. With respect to communication skills, three key points are developed. First, communication skills are important in that they are associated with a wide variety of positive life events and outcomes including (a) career and professional success, (b) development of satisfying interpersonal relationships (e.g., marriages, friendships), and (c) personal physiological and psychological well-being. Second, despite the importance of communication skills, communication performance deficits are common – people often fail to act in effective and socially appropriate ways. Finally, the importance of communication skills would suggest that there is considerable value in having a good gauge of one’s communication strengths and weaknesses. In point of fact, however, evidence shows that people are rather poor judges of their communication skills (typically, overestimating their abilities).
