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Communication Skills

Programme overview:

This one-day programme challenges learners to really consider how effectively they communicate with internal and external stakeholder in their job role.  During the programme, learners explore all the main workplace forms of communication:, face-to-face; telephone; written; video-based etc.  They will consider when each method is particularly appropriate and learn tips for being effective in achieving the intended outcomes.  Participants will also learn how to prepare to have a challenging conversation with someone else. 

This unit can be attended either as a stand-alone programme or as a module within a wider leadership development programme.  It can be delivered either online or in-person. 

Topics covered:

  • Defining effective communication and the personal or workplace barriers which hinder this

  • Using active listening skills to improve communication

  • Choosing the correct method(s) of communication

  • How to prepare for and have a potentially challenging conversation

Following participation, learners will be able to:

  • Explain the process of communication between two or more participants

  • Define what enables us to describe communication as having been effective

  • Recognise the common barriers to effective communication and how to overcome or reduce the impact of these

  • Understand the three main components of active listening and why each of these are important

  • Identify practical steps to improve the way in which they receive and store information

  • Improve their ability to use the correct types of questions to initially gain information and/or confirm information received

  • Understand why the correct method(s) of communication is essential for ensuring that communication is effective

  • Recognise the variety of communication methods available and the benefits/disadvantages of each type

  • Consider and use a combination of communication methods in different situations

  • Understand the before, during and after stages of holding an effective challenging conversation

  • Request and begin the challenging conversation in an appropriate way to gain the other party's 'buy-in'

  • Agree productive outcomes during a challenging conversation and follow these through in an appropriate manner