As a PA, communication powers every part of your day. Itโs what keeps operations moving, aligned, and on track. Whether you’re coordinating meetings, writing updates, hosting a videoconference, or stepping in to solve a last-minute problem, the way you communicate affects how smoothly things get done.
Employers are currently placing enormous value on these abilities. A recent study found that communication (52%) and teamwork (55%) were rated nearly twice as important as computer skills (26%) by UK employers looking at new candidates. That speaks volumes. In fast-paced roles like yours, technical knowledge matters, but itโs your people skills that build trust and keep things moving.
Ten communication skills worth developing and using to make an impact every day
1. Listen with focus and intent
Listening properly means more than just hearing what someone says. Itโs about picking up on tone, reading between the lines, and really taking things in.
When you give someone your full attention, they feel it, and when you follow up with a well-placed question or a quick recap, it shows that you’re actively engaged, not just taking notes. Strong listening also helps you better understand what people need, even when theyโre not saying it directly.
2. Write with clarity and control
You donโt need to write like a novelist, but you do need to get your point across succinctly and cleanly. A short, well-written email can clear up confusion in seconds, and using headings, lists, or short paragraphs helps people to absorb the message.
The goal is to inform, clearly and professionally, not impress. Good writing also makes you easier to work with. When your emails and updates are easy to follow, people come to rely on your input.
3. Speak with confidence and clarity
Whether you’re on a call with a client, facilitating a virtual brainstorming session, or briefing your director between meetings, your voice carries weight. Calm, confident speech makes people pay attention and trust your judgementโeven more so when communicating remotely. On video calls, your tone, facial expression, and posture can affect how your message lands, especially when body language cues are limited.
Being clear and steady helps others mirror that energy, whether you’re in the room or on screen. Strong verbal communication, in-person or virtual, helps you manage expectations, influence decisions, and give direction without needing to raise your voice or overexplain.
4. Adjust your style to suit the situation
The casual way you chat with a delivery driver about the weather shouldnโt be the same as how you address the finance director about business-related matters. Matching your tone and approach to the moment shows emotional intelligence and makes conversations smoother.
Some people prefer full explanations, while others just want bullet points, so being able to switch styles without losing your message is a key strength. Your style also allows you to build stronger relationships because people feel like youโre speaking their language, even in high-pressure moments.
5. Communicate upwards with insight
Talking to senior leaders is different. They want insight, not just information, so your ability to prioritise, cut the fluff, and highlight what really matters can set you apart. Itโs also not just what you say; knowing when to speak, how to raise something sensitive, or when to keep it brief makes a real impact.
This skill helps you become more than support staff; you become someone decision-makers actively want in the room.
6. Handle difficult conversations constructively
Some discussions are harder than others, and whether itโs chasing up late work or flagging a scheduling clash, the way you approach it will likely shape the outcome. You can diffuse tension with a calm tone, focussing on facts, and being open to finding a way forward.
Over time, it shows people that they can rely on you, even when things get uncomfortable. Handling conflict constructively is a mark of someone others can count on, especially when the pressureโs on.
7. Set clear and respectful boundaries
PAs often manage multiple demands, and their time is valuable. Setting boundaries helps you to stay focused, responsive, and effective in every part of your role.
Clarifying what you can deliver and when helps others manage their expectations. It also shows that youโre organised, realistic, and thinking ahead. Boundaries strengthen communication by creating clarity, not distance. They help you work smarter, stay focused, and protect your energy.
8. Pay attention to whatโs not being said
Sometimes, the tone of voice, facial expression, or awkward silence speaks the loudest. Non-verbal cues often reveal how someone really feels, and noticing these signs helps you respond better, whether thatโs adjusting your own delivery, offering support, or changing your approach entirely.
With practice, it sharpens your instincts. When youโre tuned into these cues, you can steer meetings, manage moods, and defuse issues without saying much at all.
9. Summarise points clearly and quickly
People donโt always have time to go over every detail, which is where your ability to summarise comes in. A good summary is sharper, not just shorter, and it identifies key points, outlines what happens next, and removes guesswork.
When conversations move quickly, clarity can make all the difference. Youโre often the bridge between the conversation and the action, so summarising well helps ensure processes move forward without confusion.
10. Ask the right questions
The ability to ask clear, insightful questions can prevent confusion, speed up decision-making, and help others clarify their own thinking.
Whether you’re preparing for a meeting, gathering details from a supplier, or checking in with your manager, strong questions show that youโre engaged and focused on outcomes. They also signal confidence and attention to detail and help you get to the heart of an issue quickly and tactfully.
Let your communication speak for itself
Strong communication creates momentum, clarifies complex tasks, helps others work more effectively, and builds trust across every level. These skills shape how you lead, how youโre perceived, and how you progress.
When you use them consistently, they become part of how you add value daily. Keep developing your voice, and your communication will open doors, build trust, and set you apart.
