Savvy Communication Skills

Communication is the highest sought-after skill, yet organizations find it difficult to find people with stellar skills. These programs help strengthen this essential skill.

Savvy Communication Skills

Interpersonal Communication Savvy

Have you had colleagues with whom you just couldn’t communicate? Do you know people with whom you “talk the same language” and others who seem to be talking Martian? Would you like to understand how to communicate with your co-workers, managers, and customers so they will be most responsive to your requests and ideas?

In this upbeat and interactive program, we’ll discuss how to identify and understand the four primary communication approaches. Through the use of the Everythng DiSC profile, video vignettes, and exercises, you’ll walk out with a clear understanding of your communication approach and the approaches of others. You’ll know how to adapt your approach to better communicate with others.

Key Benefits of Attending:

You’ll have insights into your own behaviors and motivations as well as of those around you.

When you understand yourself better, you can then understand how your approach may affect others. You’ll see how you’ve been effective, and have a better understanding of when this approach has been ineffective.

You’ll walk out with an appreciation and strategy for communicating more effectively with the people around you.

As you know, people are different. You’ll walk out with a new understanding, respect and value for how to work more effectively with those differences.

You’ll develop strategies for working with others to increase productivity.

You’ll enhance your effectiveness in accomplishing tasks by improving your relationships with others.

Objectives:

Participants will:

• Discover their primary communication approach.
• Know how to capitalize on behavioral strengths.
• Increase appreciation of different approaches.
• Understand how to read others’ communication approach.
• Anticipate and minimize potential conflicts with others.
• Identify how to modify behaviors to better communicate.

45 minutes to 2-days

Complete description in PDF

 

The Power of Our Words

“Words not only affect us temporarily—they change us.”—David Riesman, The Lonely Crowd

Our words are much more powerful than we give them credit for. We take our words for granted, because we say so many in a day. We don’t take the time to think through “How might my comment leave the receiver? Feeling respected— or diminished? Feeling better about himself—or worse?”

This inspiring talk is an in-depth look at how others’ words affect us, and how our words can affect others. Every audience member has been hurt by other’s words, but they often haven’t seen how their words affect prospects, customers and co-workers.

Rebecca shares the insights with humor, warmth, and an honesty not often seen from the platform. The program is touching and insightful, as well as humorous, and illustrated with original stories.

Key Benefits of This Program

You’ll have a new awareness of how impactful your words are.

Most of us don’t fully comprehend how much weight our words can have on those around us.

You’ll have a new appreciation for being more conscious of your word choice.

Sometimes our words just slip out without thinking. We can hurt others without ever knowing it.

You can help someone feel great with a few well-chosen, sincere words.

A few heartfelt words, spoken at the right time can help the receiver feel great about their report, or help them see what appears to be a disaster isn’t as they see it.

You’ll learn how to tell the truth caringly, even when the truth isn’t pretty.

No one wants to be patronized or coddled. Sometimes the truth is hard to swallow, but it’s easier when it’s expressed with care and sensitivity.

Objectives

Participants will:

• See how their words can affect others
• Understand why his/her words are so powerful
• Know how to be sensitive to and edit his/her word choices to have a positive impact
• Know the key components to giving honest feedback caringly

45 minutes to full day

Complete description in PDF

Video of full 40-minute talk

Word are Like Scalpels

Words Help or Hinder 

Healthy conflict creates better solutions and stronger teams. Unhealthy conflict causes people to stifle their ideas, and can destroy an organization.

 

How do you usually handle conflict and what are your strengths? Where are your blind spots? What do you do when conflict becomes too uncomfortable? How can you maintain your professionalism and turn potentially unhealthy conflict into productive conflict?

 

You can employ healthy conflict using some simple, but nuanced tools. You can respond professionally to those engaging in unhealthy conflict, and often they will become some of your most loyal supporters.

 

 

Key Benefits of This Program

Recognize underlying causes of conflict 
What causes conflict? When is it healthy and when is it unhealthy?

 

What is your conflict style? 
Analyze your conflict style from your Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Profile. Examine your strengths and where you can improve.

 

Turn potential disagreements into positive discussions 
How can you disagree agreeably? How can you articulate your opposing views to elicit open dialog rather than arguments?

 

Listening techniques to uncover thoughts and feelings to manage the conflict 
When you listen beyond the words and ask the right questions, you often uncover the emotion driving the behavior. Once the emotion is addressed, you can move to a useful discussion.

 

Maintain the relationship after the conflict is resolved 
How can you reset your behaviors to avoid more conflict with the person? How do you reframe their behavior to not hold it against them? What can you learn about yourself from the conflict?

 

Practice conflict management dialogues to prepare for real-life workplace conflict 
Practice your new tools

 

What will you do differently as a result of today? 
Make commitments
 

 

Objectives: 

 

 Participants will:
• Identify practical steps to manage and resolve workplace conflict
• Recognize the underlying causes of conflict
• Practice applying models, techniques, and strategies to manage your interpersonal communication behaviors in conflict situations
• Learn how to turn potential disagreements into positive discussions
• Employ listening techniques for thoughts and feelings to manage the conflict
• Practice conflict management dialogues to prepare for real-life workplace conflict
• Develop skills to maintain the relationship after the conflict is resolved

 

90 minutes to 1 day

Do you want to be more confident, coherent, and engaging in your presentations — in person and virtual? Would you like tips that only professional presenters know? Do you want ideas on now to quell any nervousness before you speak? Would you like to create more effective slides?

In this fast-paced, interactive program, you’ll learn techniques that will help you give better presentations, from designing with your audience in mind, to creating a clear roadmap (agenda), to calming your nerves, to increasing interaction, to designing more effective visuals. These techniques work equally for in-person and virtual presentations.

In this safe environment, you’ll deliver a 2-minute slide-free talk on a topic of your choice – something you are passionate about. Don’t worry, you’ll only be presenting to a few classmates who will help you identify what you do well and provide suggestions for refinements.

Using large and small group discussions, self-assessments, thought-provoking activities, and time to plan and refine your talk, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas and new skills.

Key Benefits of Attending

You’ll learn keys to best plan, practice, and prepare for your presentation.

        With planning and practice, you’ll better communicate your ideas clearly and concisely. 

You’ll identify meeting best practices, including agendas, purpose, and desired outcomes.

      A clear presentation agenda helps you and others know the purpose and desired outcomes. This helps your presentation flow and stay on target.

You’ll develop strategies to manage nerves and deliver presentations with confidence and clarity.

        When you realize your audience wants you to be successful, it’s easier to quell your nerves.

You’ll explore ways to utilize technology to foster engagement and focus of your audience (e.g., creating effective slides).

        Slide design can make or break a presentation. Learn simple techniques to ensure yours are clear, concise and engaging.

 

You’ll learn how to speak with confidence and credibility. 

      How you present yourself is an important part of your message, and you can make a good impression from the start.

A Proven Agenda 

  • Plan, practice, and prepare for your presentation
  • Plan your presentations to meet action and information goals, as well as time limits.
  • Focus your theme. Make not just a point, but the point.
  • Define your presentation’s purpose and point.
  • Understand your audience and identify the most effective style to convey your message. 
  • Analyze your audience to determine what would be most useful to them.
  • Develop strategies to manage nerves and deliver presentations with confidence and clarity.
  • Learn to relax and release anxiety and tension.
  • Explore ways to utilize technology to foster engagement and focus of your audience (e.g., creating effective slides).

       Prepare and use effective visual aids that complement, not detract. Learn how to effectively incorporate appropriate technical detail.

Course Objectives:

  • Plan, practice, and prepare for your presentation.
  • Understand your audience and identify the most effective style to convey your message.
  • Develop strategies to manage nerves and deliver presentations with confidence and clarity.
  • Explore ways to utilize technology to foster engagement and focus of your audience (e.g., creating effective slides).