Insights from Javier Bernard on Enhancing Communication Skills for Leadership and Career Growth
Javier Bernard, an experienced marketing and advertising professional, is a communication skills professor in the MBA programs at Porto Business School. In this interview, he shares his journey, teaching philosophy, and the vital role of effective communication in leadership and career advancement, making this an insightful read for the PBS community. Javier shares his journey, teaching philosophy, and the vital role of effective communication in leadership and career advancement, making this an insightful read for the PBS community.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became involved in teaching communication skills in Porto Business School’s MBA programs?
I spent most of my corporate career in marketing and advertising, constantly presenting to teams, clients, suppliers, and at conventions, meetings, and pitches. Over time, I became skilled at public speaking and grew to enjoy it. Additionally, as a PADI scuba diving instructor, I discovered a passion for teaching. Combining these two interests – public speaking and education – led me to where I am today: helping people become better communicators.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching communication skills to MBA students?
MBA students have something essential for learning: a clear gap in their skills that they are eager to fill. Unlike younger students, they bring real-world experience and have identified areas for improvement, making them highly receptive and engaged. They absorb knowledge quickly because they see immediate value in applying it to their careers.
What are the key communication challenges that MBA students and business leaders face today, and how can they overcome them?
There are three major challenges:
- Online communication: Audiences are more distracted than ever, and speakers have fewer tools to engage them. Overcoming this requires dynamic delivery, engaging visuals, full control of the videoconferencing app, and audience participation.
- Being engaging: Corporate presentations are often fact-based and dull. But if your audience isn’t entertained, they won’t remember your message. Business communication needs to be clear, structured, and engaging.
- Lack of urgency to improve: Public speaking has no immediate consequences for failure, which limits impact. Great speakers push beyond the minimum, knowing the goal is to influence and inspire. Deliberate practice with a skilled coach and seeking opportunities to speak leads to quick progress.
In your opinion, how do strong communication skills contribute to leadership effectiveness and career success?
Charismatic leaders excel in public speaking. A brilliant vision, clear mission, excellent teamwork, and sharp negotiation skills mean little if not communicated with power and passion. Effective communication drives success in business, politics, and beyond.