Core Communication Skills

Communication that goes poorly often escalates into conflict. This class sets the foundation for employees to understand different communication styles and core competencies. Customized tools are provided that examine open and closed communication styles and their direct effect on performance. Employees explore challenges that come from belief systems and blind spots. Building blocks are taught that include reflective listening, giving and receiving feedback, communicating an assignment, and collaborative problem solving. This course is best taught as a two part series with Core Conflict Resolution Skills. Participants will learn:

The 5 Foundations of Open Communication

1. Understanding Perceptions, Belief Systems, Core Operating Systems and Blind Spots
2. Increasing Trust
3. Staying Open to Learn
4. Creating an Empowered Workplace
5. Taking Self-Responsibility

1. Reflective Listening Formula
2. Giving Feedback Clearly
3. Receiving Feedback Non-Defensively
4. Communicating a Task
5. Collaborative Problem Solving

Core Conflict Resolution Skills

The cost of unresolved corporate conflicts can be measured in time spent in communication logjams and turf wars . Conflict is a normal part of everyone's day and cannot be avoided.   Human beings have competing needs. However, having the tools to handle conflict can make all the difference when communication breaks down. Instead of ignoring conflict or broken relationships, we teach the tools necessary to resolve and reduce conflict and to repair damaged rapport.   Productivity increases when clear communication replaces upset and missed expectations. Learning to make new choices during conflict improves the outcome of heated situations. We custom build the practice sessions to reflect real life issues. Participants gain awareness of their conflict style and are then coached to improve their skills using tools to handle conflict more effectively.

 
Understand Yourself and Others During Conflict

1. Assume a Healthy Attitude Toward Conflict
2. NIP vs. PIN - Adopting a More Positive Approach       
3. Spectrum Differences: From Avoidant to Explosive
4. Defensive Styles
5. Customized Conflict Scenarios
6. Identify Resentments

Tools to Reduce Corporate Conflict

1. Address the Process not the Content
2. Use Advanced Reflective Listening
3. Confront and Give Feedback
4. Be Confronted and Receive Feedback
5. Professional Relationship Repair

E-Mail Code of Conduct

E-mail is the most widely used documented form of communication. Executed brilliantly, this tool can eliminate meetings and facilitate the dissemination of important information. Improperly used, it can create barriers between employees and "harmful" communications can be "spammed" across an organization. Individuals gain a strong awareness of the impact of their e-mail so that they can increase the effectiveness of their written communication. This class supports your legal, ethical, and managerial training, as e-mail has become a critical form of communication and documentation.

Participants will learn:

1. When to use e-mail, and when to connect live
2. How e-mail is interpreted
3. To avoid e-mail trails that go nowhere or create conflict
4. Document sensitive issues using e-mail
5. To deliver strong, positive, and timely communication for impact
6. To positively support the e-mail culture in your organization

Mastering Presentation Skills

Polishing presentations and communicating effectively is the focus of this module. Presentation content is designed to have a strong on point message. However, beyond the content, there is a need to keep the audience interested. Presenters learn to manage their gestures and body movements to improve the presentation's impact and influence.   Participants are coached to speak with more confidence. Customized feedback and practice creates an obvious benefit to anyone who makes regular presentations. We offer a comfortable learning environment, and seasoned presenters as facilitators, to support the participants to make positive leaps in their presentation skills.   

Mastering Presentation Skills Require That You:

1. Connect with yourself and your message
2. Engage the audience
3. Speak with authority and presence
4. Use body language congruently
5. Practice gestures that emphasize your key points
6. Learn to get out of the way of your inner wisdom and guidance when speaking
7. Create compelling opening and closing messages
8. Use appropriate PowerPoint and visual aids to enhance your presentation                           

This training class is limited to 12 participants. Individuals or teams can be accommodated. We coach on content and delivery to optimize impact. This module is designed for a total of six hours, on or off-site. We recommend that you break up the course (when possible) into three, two hour modules, to total six hours of presentation skills training.

Dealing with Difficult People

When you engage with a difficult person, you can only manage your side of the communication.   You must be armed with awareness and tools, as you can be certain that there will be a challenging interaction.

Difficult people have some of the following styles: the insecure bully; the passive conflict avoider; the manipulative back stabber; the raging maniac; the control freak; the gossip; the micromanager; and the withholder, to name a few.  

Self healing happens when you face the demon in the difficult person, and positively alter the dynamic.

In this course, participants will learn:

1. The profile of the difficult person
2. How unfinished gestalts and lack of integration affect both parties
3. The not-so-golden rule      
4. To engage compassion
5. To understand triggers and patterns that are activated
6. To explore belief systems, blind spots, and cross stimulating issues
7. How to unlock the difficult person's behavior and unhook from the power struggle

This class will improve your awareness about yourself and others, and will support you to deal with difficult people more effectively.

This training class is best done in four hours, and combines communication and conflict resolution tools that are aimed at dealing with difficult people. This course is experiential. Participants are encouraged to bring with them, examples of difficult behavioral interactions with others, so that on-the-spot coaching can support improved rapport and relationships.

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