Course Objectives

Participants Will Learn How To:

• Achieve results in your communications with others
• Build collaborative relationships that emphasize trust and respect
• Communicate effectively using simple, concise and direct language
• Enhance your active listening skills to anticipate and avoid common misunderstandings
• Foster cross-cultural understanding in your workplace
• Eliminate the roadblocks that undermine your ability to communicate effectively

Who Should Attend:

Those looking to strengthen their communication and collaboration skills and work confidently with others.

Course Contents:

Building a Foundation

• Adopting simple, concise and direct language
• Recognizing perceptual filters that hinder communication
• Identifying basic communication principles
• Applying a communication process model

Setting Clear Goals for Your Communication

Determining outcomes and results

• Soliciting feedback
• Matching intentions and results

Initiating communications

• Figuring out what to say and the best way to say it
• Paying attention to verbal and nonverbal cues

Avoiding Communication Breakdowns

Creating value in your conversations

• Strengthening your relationships
• Distinguishing value from waste

Taking personal responsibility

• Recognizing your role in creating successful communications
• Identifying internal and external factors that impact your communications
• Establishing message feedback
• Communicating nondefensively

Identifying the four communication styles

• Recognizing your style and the style of others
• Strengths and blind spots of each style

Listening for Improved Understanding

Tools for active listening

• Asking clarifying questions
• Confirming the message
• Demonstrating respect, empathy and sensitivity
• Listening for the entire message

Interpreting nonverbal cues

• Intonation
• Rate of speech - Volume - Gestures - Facial expressions - Posture - Use of space
• Dress - Eye contact

Achieving Genuine Communication

• Creating openness
• Working with a three-dimensional model of behavior
• Matching your body language to your message

Cross-Cultural Communication

• Navigating beyond cultural boundaries
• Working with filters and assumptions
• Working Constructively with Emotions

Dealing with anger

Managing emotionally charged situations

• Defusing an emotional situation while maintaining your composure
• Taking responsibility for your emotions