Communication Skills Classes
Refine your approach. Start thinking about how you communicate to better relationships inside and outside your workplace.
Communication skills are fundamental to how we engage with others, but most of us only think about how we communicate if there is a problem. Even then, self-awareness of how others perceive our communication approaches can be clouded by our preferences, urgent task needs, and personality.
Our custom communication skills classes open the discussion about what is needed to be thoughtful, proactive, efficient, and more sincere communicators within a modern work environment.
Our improving communication skills sessions help provide your team with progressive connection tools to thrive within an ever-changing environment.
Webinars
60 Minutes
$688
+ $12.00 / per learner
- 100% Custom
- Group or 1-on-1
- Live & Trainer-Led
- Syllabus Approval
- Ready in 72 Hours
UPGRADE TO IN-PERSON FOR $3,288.00!
Sample Course Syllabus
Introduction & Basics
Being able to communicate with people appropriately on a day-to-day basis does not come naturally to everyone. Provide your team with advanced communication skills and a greater understanding of people and culture.
- Intro: Thinking About Communication. Communication is an essential aspect of our day-to-day lives. We can communicate our thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others. In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to forget the importance of effective communication, but it is crucial for building relationships, solving problems, and achieving our goals.
- Intent Vs. Perception. Effective communication requires carefully considering both the sender’s intent and the receiver’s perception. It is essential to ensure that the message being conveyed is understood in the same way by both parties to avoid any misunderstandings or unintentional mistakes.
- Global and Professional Thinking. In a modern workplace, our thinking must follow global and professional guidelines to be successful.
- Community Vs. Universal Thinking.
- Understanding and welcoming globalization and diversity.
- Understanding Cultural Differences.
- Developing Cultural Intelligence Skills.
- Cross-Cultural Communication.
- Leading Multicultural Teams.
- Active Listening. Better listening is key to better communication
- What is active listening?
- Benefits of active listening.
- Understanding the speaker’s point of view.
- Paying attention to verbal and nonverbal cues.
- Asking open-ended questions.
- Paraphrasing to ensure understanding.
- Distractions.
- Communication Factors. A discussion of factors that influence how we communicate.
- Personality. People are different, and how they naturally communicate will differ!
- Generation. Consider the communication barriers that exist between different generations.
- Culture & Community Norms. It is vital to comprehend differences in communication and establish connections between people from all backgrounds.
- Modes. An in-depth review of respectful communication considerations when engaging:
- By telephone.
- In-Person.
- Leadership Training. All of our communication skills classes can be customized with strategies for leadership.
Part 2
Approach
Monitor your messages. We must constantly be aware of how our words, tones, and messages impact those around us.
- Tone & Sounds. How you say something can change the meaning of your message. Let’s discuss tone!
- Volume and Speed
- Reactionary Sounds
- Robotic and Transactional Interactions
- Body Language. What message is your body language conveying? You might be surprised by the impression you’re making. Do your looks make someone uncomfortable with how you look at them or are you just communicating annoyance with your eyes?
- Eye contact. Dismissive looks are belittling and microaggressions that no one appreciates.
- “Focus face,” smiles, and facial expressions.
- General Body Language. Your body can bully, intimidate or embarrass someone! Have you ever not turned to acknowledge someone because you didn’t want to give them the time of day?
- Eye contact. Dismissive looks are belittling and microaggressions that no one appreciates.
- Mirroring. Are you mirroring what you want to see or what you see? Let’s review the science of mirroring.
- Right Time. Timing plays a crucial role in delivering a message successfully. The right timing can make a message more effective.
- Right Place. Choose the right place for everyone when communicating to maintain privacy, respect, and dignity.
- Right Speech. Choose your words wisely. Let’s review the basics and more.
- Maintaining A “Yes-First” Approach.
- Professional Words Vs. Community Language.
- Slang & Jargon.
- Lecturing Language. Do you include passive-aggressive remarks to belittle or embarrass others?
- Sarcasm
- Right Approach. Is respect earned? We don’t think so. Within our work environment, we must respect all people at all times.
- Negativity Bias. Let’s discuss methods to avoid negative thinking and tips for a positive approach.
- Assume Positive Intent. We should assume positive intent when people connect with us and adjust our approach to receiving information.
- Indifference. Are you indifferent to someone, their needs, and what they have to say? This sends a clear message of disrespect.
- Disrespect through distractions.
- Biases
- Emotional hijacking.
- Condescending conversations (“controlsplaining” or “powersplaining.”)
- Timing & Exclusion
- The art of confirmation: How and when to react.
- Bullying at work. Does your approach embarrass, intimidate, or exclude? You might be bullying in your communication approach.
- Consistency. Are you consistent? How can others know how to react? Don’t be a wild card in your professional environment; reap the benefits of consistency.
- Effective Feedback. A discussion on providing constructive feedback.
- Communication Carrots. Do you create stress and anxiety when you dangle communication carrots? Don’t stress others by making “unknowns” in your communication or planning.
Part 3
Relationships
This module will discuss the importance of building relationships and getting to professionally know your team members better. It’s simple, but it influences how others communicate with us.
- The politics of communication. The importance of being likable and easy to respect.
- Building Relationships. A review regarding establishing rapport and trust.
- Baseline Relationships. Do you have to like and be friends with everyone? No! However, forming a baseline relationship to establish trust and empathy is beneficial to clear communication.
- Reputation Management – Managing how people see you can also drive how they respond to and perceive your messages.
- Celebrating Others. Great communicators celebrate wins and encourage you during times of stress! Create a plan!
- Empathy. We can’t be all technical and without emotion. Empathy is crucial! Consider people’s feelings when communicating.
Part 4
Breakdowns
Let’s face it- things will sometimes be flawed. We have to be open and willing to face communication breakdowns. Our communication skills classes can help!
- Warnings. How do you know when there has been a communication breakdown?
- Opening Uncomfortable Conversations. How to approach someone directly during a communication breakdown.
- Delays. When you need time to respond.
- Expectations. Letting go of expectations during breakdowns.
- Coping with emotional reactions.
- Technical Vs. Emotional Impacts of a Breakdown
- Accountability & Apologies. When things break down, it is important to take accountability. Our training can incorporate many skills from our conflict resolution training.
- Communication Microaggressions. Some actions can make people uncomfortable and lead to a build-up of barriers. Let’s review:
- Directness. Do your candid opinions and words harm, hurt or offend others? There is a time and place for direct communication, and we should develop emotional and professional awareness to measure the appropriate time, place, and audience.
- Minimizing Emotions.
- Justifying bad communications.
- Intimidation.
- Embarrassment.
- Exclusion.
- Avoidance & Silence.
- Directness. Do your candid opinions and words harm, hurt or offend others? There is a time and place for direct communication, and we should develop emotional and professional awareness to measure the appropriate time, place, and audience.
Part 5
Virtual Engagement
These communication skills classes will discuss the importance of maintaining respect with our virtual communication methods. We will discuss how shorthand slang can be interpreted in many different ways.
- Why timing matters. Respect the time of others.
- When setting deadlines, have reasonable expectations.
- Send emails at the “right” and respectful times.
- Reply promptly.
- Greetings and Salutation. Clarify your tone by including some simple salutations.
- Use the person’s name plus a salutation.
- Make an engaging statement.
- Include proper manners and politeness
- Caps, shorthand, emphasis, commas, and emojis! Symbolism is real! If you communicate without tone, you must entirely understand the language you use.
- Follow-up and Confirmations. Everyone has different needs when it comes to follow-up and confirmation notifications. What does that look like for you?
- Ask for follow-up and respect the people who are asking.
- Send confirmation for those who tend to supply one.
- Indicate if you don’t need confirmation.
- Don’t keep people waiting. Provide updates if you can’t make a deadline.
- To copy or not to copy! The dangers of cc and reply-all
- Selective Virtual Communication. Although it’s easy, it’s important to know when virtual communication is not the best option.
- A general review of respectful communication and within/on:
- Social Media
- Texting & Messaging Platforms.
- Why timing matters. Respect the time of others.
Part 6
Tools & Tips
- The Compliment Sandwich. When providing feedback, make it a positive experience using the compliment or feedback sandwich.
- Communication Snapshot. Want to understand those around you better? Use the Oculus communications snapshot to learn about individuals and their communications preferences.
- Positive Engagement Statements. Creating engaging statements to set the right tone with others daily.
Need more options to add to your effective communication skills training? Check out all of our sensitivity training options.
What is best communication skills course?
Custom-Made Training
Our communication skills classes are tailored to meet your exact needs, whether it’s a group training or an individual timeline for change. What are you waiting for? Sharpen your communication skills today!
