Mastering the Art of Effective Communication

This distinctive programme has been carefully designed to give you a “communications toolkit” – a collection of models and techniques that you can dip into and utilise in whatever communication situation you find yourself in.  Not only will you walk away with the ability to communicate better on all levels, you will also gain a unique insight into the how to read and understand the way others communicate. By the end of this highly practical and interactive two days, you will have gained a comprehensive skills set that will ensure success not only in your professional life but also your personal life.

Scroll down for the agenda or book onto this course.

Understanding Attitude & Self Awareness

• Behaviour and how it helps or hinders communication
• Attitudes and how they influence behaviour
• Changing negative to positive thinking
• The self-talk and perception cycles
• The value of teamworking
• Understanding your communicating strengths and weaknesses

The Importance of Knowledge & Preparation in Effective Communication

• When good communication requires preparation
• Clarifying your aim and that of others
• Structural and agenda elements; primacy and recency
• The value of visuals and written support
• A checklist for the right content

Harnessing Your Verbal Assets

• Clarity and the positioning of ideas
• Talking versus listening
• Statement or question: push or pull?
• The power of language, examples and anecdotes
• The value of humour
• When to repeat to reinforce

Utilising Visual Assets

• Appearance sets the scene
• Touch and what it conveys
• Proximity and choosing the right zoneThe facial force-field
• The most used and least understood language
• Helpful and unhelpful mannerisms

Maximising Your Vocal Assets

• Energy and enthusiasm and the link with pitch
• Authority and the link with power
• Confidence and the link with speed
• Transparency and the link with pausing
• Matching pace to gain rapport

Selecting the Right Medium to Maximise Communication

• One to one situations
• Communicating effectively in formal or informal situations
• Dynamics and issues of group size in meetings
• The value of mixed media: spoken (face to face/phone)and written
• Video or telephone conferencing ingredients

A Framework for Conflict Resolution 

• The need for two-way assertiveness
• Analysing the source of the problem
• Who takes the first step?
• Modelling behaviour and learning from others
• Handling difficult behaviours
• Mediation as an option
• Giving & Receiving Constructive Feedback
• Recognition and catching people doing things right
• Positive, negative or zero strokes
• Giving negative feedback positively
• The '10 step' model
• Receiving feedback for development

Developing a Dynamic Listening and Questioning Framework

• Adapting your communicating style in response to others
• Encouraging the speaker psychologically and physically
• What creates rapport or derails communication
• The questioning toolbox
• Checking understanding
• Handling difficult questions

Getting to Grips with 360º Communication

• Communicating and influencing upwards
• Levelling with colleagues and peers
• Communicating with the team
• Working with the customer
• The value of regular communication

During the intensive and highly interactive two days you will learn:

• How attitude and behaviour can dramatically influence you and others  
• The best way to prepare yourself for successful communication
• How to utilise your visual, vocal and verbal assets
• Sophisticated active listening and questioning techniques
• How to tailor your communication style when dealing with different types of people
• The keys to communicating constructive criticism successfully
• How to assert yourself effectively and appropriately in a conflict situation