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By Dr. Maribeth Kuzmeski

85% of Success Comes Down to This One Skill 

Most people spend years building their expertise. They earn degrees, accumulate experience, and sharpen their technical skills. And while all of that matters, research suggests it may not be the biggest driver of success. 

That title belongs to communication. 

Studies show that 85% of success in life and business is tied to one thing: your ability to communicate effectively. Not your IQ. Not your resume. Not your credentials alone. The way you express yourself, connect with others, and show up in a room shapes nearly every opportunity that comes your way. 

“Your ability to communicate determines whether people trust you, follow you, hire you, promote you, or remember you.” 

Think about the people in your organization who get noticed. They are rarely the quietest ones in the meeting. They are the people who can articulate an idea clearly, engage a room emotionally, and speak with genuine confidence. Those are the people who become leaders, earn promotions, and create lasting influence. 

Here is the part that changes everything: communication is a learnable skill. 

You do not have to be a naturally charismatic person to become a great communicator. You can develop your tone, refine your storytelling, strengthen your body language, and build the kind of confidence that makes people lean in when you speak. 

In business and in life, great communicators do not just share information. They create opportunities. They open doors that stay closed for people who never invest in this skill. 

If you are serious about growing in your career, start here. The return on investing in your communication skills may be higher than anything else you do this year. 

Maribeth Kuzmeski, PhD, President of Red Zone Marketing, is a marketing strategist, advisor to financial services companies, bestselling author of 9 books, and a professional speaker rated as a Top 25 C-Suite Speaker as seen in Meetings & Conventions Magazine. She speaks on topics including marketing, branding, sales, and customer service.

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