8 min read

Speak and Listen: Assessing Communication Skills Effectively

Communication skills are essential for workplace productivity, trust, and collaboration, making them a top priority for assessment in Australian organisations. RefHub’s practical tools help measure verbal, written, and listening abilities accurately, ensuring fair, role-relevant evaluations that strengthen team performance and reduce misunderstandings.

Communication skills are like the glue that keeps teams working together. Without them, even the most skilled individual can cause misunderstandings, delays, or conflict. In Australia’s workplaces, being able to speak clearly, write effectively, and listen actively is not just a nice-to-have – it is a must. Whether you are hiring for a new role, conducting staff training, or planning professional development, assessing communication skills should be a top priority.

RefHub provides tools and guidance that help you measure these skills with accuracy, so you can make better decisions and support both productivity and collaboration.

Why Communication Skills Matter

You have probably seen it happen: someone with impressive technical abilities struggles to work effectively because they cannot get their point across or they miss key details when listening. Communication skills influence every interaction, from quick emails to high-stakes meetings.

Strong communication skills mean:

Verbal expression that is clear and confident
Written clarity that avoids confusion
Active listening that shows understanding and respect

In workplaces across Australia, these skills help teams avoid costly mistakes and build trust. Without them, even the simplest project can feel like trying to build a bridge without the right materials.

Breaking Down the Key Areas of Communication

Verbal Expression

Verbal communication is about more than speaking. It is about how you speak – tone, pace, and choice of words all matter. During an assessment, you can look at whether someone:

Speaks in a clear and structured way
Uses language suited to their audience
Adjusts their approach when needed

Think of it like tuning a radio – the message might be there, but if the signal is fuzzy, no one will hear it properly.

Written Clarity

In the workplace, written communication can be the difference between a task done right the first time and a week of confusion. Written clarity means:

Organising thoughts logically
Using correct grammar and spelling
Avoiding unnecessary jargon

Written communication tests can include creating reports, drafting emails, or summarising information. The aim is to see if the reader can understand the message without playing a guessing game.

Active Listening

Active listening is more than just hearing words. It is paying attention, asking relevant questions, and responding in a way that shows you understand.

When assessing active listening, you might check if the person:

Maintains eye contact
Summarises what was said before responding
Avoids interrupting

A good listener makes others feel heard, and that is a skill worth measuring. After all, two-way communication is a dance, and if one person is out of step, it shows.

How to Assess Communication Skills

You can measure communication skills in many ways. RefHub offers assessment tools that cover verbal, written, and listening abilities, tailored for workplaces in Australia.

Here are practical methods you can apply:

Role-playing exercises – Simulating workplace scenarios to see how someone reacts in real time.
Written assignments – Asking for short reports or summaries to test clarity.
Interviews – Observing speech patterns, listening habits, and thought structure.
Listening tests – Having the candidate repeat or summarise information.

The goal is not to catch someone out but to understand their strengths and areas for growth.

Common Challenges in Assessment

Even with the right tools, assessing communication skills can be tricky. Some people get nervous and underperform. Others may sound confident but lack substance. To address this:

Use a variety of assessment methods.
Provide a comfortable environment.
Be consistent in your scoring.

Consistency is key – without it, you could end up comparing apples to oranges and making unfair judgments.

Communication Skills in Different Roles

Not every role requires the same level of communication skill. A customer service representative may need exceptional verbal expression and active listening, while a technical writer may be more focused on written clarity.

When planning assessments, consider:

The role’s communication demands
How often the person interacts with others
The complexity of the information shared

Matching the assessment to the role helps you focus on the skills that matter most.

Making Assessments Fair and Relevant

Nobody likes feeling tested for skills that have nothing to do with their job. If you want fair results:

Keep assessments role-specific
Avoid overly academic tasks unless the job requires them
Be clear about what you are measuring and why

When people understand the purpose, they are more likely to put in genuine effort.

Why RefHub is the Right Choice

RefHub’s communication skill assessments are designed with Australian workplaces in mind. They focus on practical, real-world abilities that make a difference in everyday work. With clear reporting and structured testing, you can identify strengths, address gaps, and support professional growth.

Whether you are an HR professional, a business owner, or a team leader, RefHub gives you a reliable way to assess communication without guesswork.

Communication skills are not a luxury – they are a foundation. By assessing verbal expression, written clarity, and active listening, you are not just filling a checklist. You are making sure your workplace runs smoothly, relationships remain strong, and misunderstandings are kept to a minimum.

If you are ready to start assessing communication skills with accuracy and confidence, visit RefHub’s assessment tools and see how you can put them into action.

Start improving workplace communication today. Visit RefHub’s assessment tools and take the first step towards better teamwork and clearer conversations.

‍