Test Your Organizational and Communication Skills

You cannot be an effective leader without good organizational and communication skills. Even if you aren’t particularly high on the corporate ladder at the moment, you should know that these skills are among the most sought-after skills by employers, along with decision-making and critical thinking. And if you are an entrepreneur, having these skills may mean the difference between running a successful business of your own and struggling to keep things under control.

The test below is designed to give you an idea of how strong your organizational and communication skills are.

Do you find it easy to start a conversation with someone you don’t know very well?
true
false

When several tasks compete for your attention, can you usually decide what needs to be done first?
true
false

When someone is explaining something, do you usually listen without spending the whole time planning what you are going to say next?
true
false

Do you often forget deadlines unless someone reminds you?
true
false

If you don’t understand what someone means, do you ask rather than pretend that you understood?
true
false

Do you usually break large tasks into smaller steps before you start?
true
false

Can you usually explain your ideas clearly without going in circles?
true
false

Do your plans tend to fall apart when something unexpected happens?
true
false

Do you adjust the way you explain something depending on who you are talking to?
true
false

Do you keep appointments, deadlines, and important tasks somewhere you can easily check them?
true
false

Do you get so nervous in unfamiliar social situations that you struggle to say what you mean?
true
false

Do you tend to leave important tasks until the last minute?
true
false

Can you disagree with someone without turning the conversation into an argument?
true
false

Can you usually estimate how much time a task will take?
true
false

If you realize someone has misunderstood you, do you try another way of explaining what you mean?
true
false

Do you usually finish an important task before jumping to something less important?
true
false

Do you find it difficult to speak up when you have something important to say?
true
false

Do you often waste time looking for files, notes, or other things you need?
true
false

Can you give honest feedback without being unnecessarily harsh?
true
false

When plans change, can you reorganize what needs to be done?
true
false

Do you usually notice when the other person has stopped following what you are saying?
true
false

Are you usually on time for meetings and appointments?
true
false

Do you avoid asking questions because you are afraid they may sound stupid?
true
false

Do you set priorities instead of treating every task as equally urgent?
true
false

Are you comfortable asking for clarification or instructions when you need them?
true
false

Do you usually follow up on things you said you would do?
true
false

When someone criticizes you, can you usually listen to what they are saying before becoming defensive?
true
false

Do you often start several tasks and then lose track of them?
true
false

Can you keep a conversation going even when you don’t know the other person very well?
true
false

Before a busy day or a large project, do you usually make some kind of plan?
true
false

Do you often interrupt people before they finish making their point?
true
false

Can you keep track of several responsibilities without forgetting important details?
true
false

Can you say no clearly when you need to without making a long excuse?
true
false

Can you usually tell what can wait and what needs your attention now?
true
false

Can you speak in front of a group if the situation requires it, even if you feel nervous?
true
false

Do you tend to underestimate how much time you need and end up rushing?
true
false

When a conversation becomes tense, can you usually stay focused on the issue?
true
false

When you are working on something that takes several days, do you check your progress along the way?
true
false

Do people generally understand what you mean without you having to explain the same thing several times?
true
false

At the end of the day, do you usually know what you finished and what still needs to be done?
true
false

GET RESULTS

Understanding Your Results

This test gives you two separate scores: one for communication skills and one for organizational skills. Each score ranges from 0 to 20. Use the ranges below to interpret each score separately.

Score 0-4
Low level.

This is an area where you may have quite a few difficulties. Look at the questions where your answers did not earn a point. They can give you a good idea of what to work on first.

Score 5-8
Lower than average level.

You already have some useful skills, but they may not be consistent. Certain situations may be much easier for you than others.

Score 9-12
Average level.

You handle most everyday situations reasonably well, although there are probably several areas where you could become more confident or efficient.

Score 13-16
High level.

This is one of your stronger areas. You generally communicate or organize yourself effectively, although there is still room to improve some individual habits.

Score 17-20
Very high level.

You have strong skills in this area and tend to handle most of the situations covered by the test well.

Communication Skills

A high communication score means that you generally find it easy to express yourself clearly, listen to other people, ask questions, deal with misunderstandings, speak up when necessary, and handle disagreement without losing control of the conversation.

A lower score does not necessarily mean that you are shy or introverted. You may simply have difficulty with some specific parts of communication, such as speaking up, listening, explaining your ideas clearly, or dealing with tense conversations.

Organizational Skills

A high organizational score means that you are generally good at planning, setting priorities, keeping track of responsibilities, meeting deadlines, following through, and adjusting your plans when something unexpected happens.

A lower score may mean that you have trouble with things such as procrastination, estimating how much time you need, keeping track of tasks, deciding what should be done first, or following a plan when life gets busy.