The Real MVPs – Communication and Critical Thinking
- cgoodallco
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
By Dr. Catherine Goodall Jackson
We live in a world that constantly emphasizes qualifications, but not enough about effective communication. We applaud technical brilliance, but often overlook the power of someone who can clearly explain, respectfully challenge, and thoughtfully solve. In today’s workplaces, classrooms, and communities, communication and critical thinking are the real MVPs.
Yes, students need technical knowledge. But the leaders who rise, inspire, and last are those who know how to think critically, how to question, and how to connect.
I’ve seen Executives lack the ability to communicate effectively in boardrooms, struggle to influence their teams, and pass up leadership opportunities—not because they lacked intellect, but because of a lack of clarity of thought and the inability to communicate effectively.
In contrast, I’ve seen “average” students, like myself, with strong people skills soar as leaders, because they could listen well, ask the right questions, and lead without intimidation.
Leadership is not about having the loudest voice. It’s about knowing when to speak, when to listen, and how to do both with emotional intelligence.
Great leaders:
Listen empathetically to understand, from the other person’s perspective, not simply to reply.
Think deeply, processing thoughts, before communicating.
Speak with intention, not ego.
Write with clarity, for the recipient to understand, not complexity.
These are skills that can, and should, be taught in every school.
Some ways that we can incorporate these skills in a high school or university class:
Debates that teach students to build arguments, not just win them.
Group presentations where the goal is shared success, not spotlight-hogging.
Role-plays that build empathy, quick thinking, and perspective-taking.
Reflection assignments that require students to think critically and challenge their own thinking.
Socratic seminars that encourage open-ended questioning and respectful disagreement.
When classrooms become labs for leadership, we prepare students not just to pass tests, but to navigate life.
The workplace doesn’t need more task-doers. It needs leaders who can look at a challenge and say:
“Why is this happening?”
“Who’s affected?”
“What hasn’t been tried yet?”
That’s critical thinking in action. When we don’t teach students to think independently, question assumptions, or analyze systems, we produce bottlenecks, creating people who wait to be told what to do. But when we do, we produce problem-solvers who lead with purpose.
In a world flooded with content and credentials, communication and critical thinking are competitive edges and character builders. They are the roots of respectful leadership, confident decision-making, and collaborative success.
Tag someone who helped you become a better communicator. Let’s give them their flowers!
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