Communication Skills Open Course. Communication skills training courses, presentation skills programmes, public speaking, leadership development and executive coaching.

Communication Skills Course

This course is a one-day Foundation Communication Skills training.

The programme provides participants with the skills, tools and insight to make a substantial difference to the way communication happens around them, and to improve communication within their work environment.

They will get an opportunity to look at and get feedback on their own communication style - to highlight the resources, strengths and talents they already have.

People will come away with a real understanding of what communication is and how it works. There is practical work on listening and responding skills, an introduction to rapport-building, the opportunity to practise core communication skills and techniques for working more effectively on a day-to-day basis.

Programme

Introduction

Impact Factory's underlying principles and how we work: how to get the most value out of the day.

Everything we do is participative and interactive. There will be work in pairs, small group work, games, processes and exercises designed to stimulate, challenge and develop people's knowledge and skills. They are also fun!

What else would you like out of the day?

A chance for delegates to add anything they would like from the programme. The course will be adapted and changed as we go along to better fit their needs.

Communication dynamics - how it works

This is an introduction to the dynamics of face-to-face communication - looking at what affects the participants and how they might take more charge of situations.

It gives an overview of how communication works at its best and identifying where it can go wrong. We 'unpick' all the elements that go into effective communication and explain to people how they can be more in charge of the communication dynamic.

Impact of body language

A simple exercise to demonstrate the power and control the listener has, through body language and attitude

First Impressions

A simple group exercise where people get the opportunity to practice making a predetermined first impression.

Assumptions

An exercise to demonstrate how every one of us makes assumptions, often without realising it. The issue is not that assumptions are made, but that we act on those assumptions without finding out how accurate they are (making it up and then acting as though what we made up was true). There are also times when it's good to let other people keep the assumptions they have about you.

Terms of Reference

Here we look at how important it is to be sure we are all 'speaking the same language' and how easy it is to misinterpret and misunderstand what others are saying. We explore the idea that everyone sees the world differently. Not that, they think their view is the right one, and can't understand when someone does something that is completely different from their own way of doing things.

Personal Style

Each person gives a summary of their personal communication style, in terms of what they know is working for them. Then they then receive feedback from their colleagues on what else they see working and what seems to comprise their uniqueness.

Joining and leaving groups

This lively set of exercises covers how physical boundaries work and how even the shyest person can greet people well. It includes approaching complete strangers and introducing yourself, joining and leaving groups easily, let someone else join the group and then leave yourself, leaving a group when you feel cornered. Essential skills for both Social and professional gatherings

Having difficult conversations

In this we practise delivering bad news and managing difficult feelings in others. We look at the importance of setting boundaries for other people, so they know where they stand. We work strongly here with modifying behaviour rather than what is the "right thing to say", in order to keep things from getting out of hand

Games People Play

Here we look at the dynamics that can happen when people get together, whether at team meetings and one-to-ones. People often play 'games' either consciously or unconsciously that can get in the way of effective communication. We look at techniques to cut through the game playing without alienating people.

Toolkit

A series of exercises to look at simple behavioural techniques affecting communications, including listening, encouragement or blocking of new ideas, and defusing conflict and arguments:

Emotion vs. Objectivity

Helping other people when they are too steeped in emotion to see what to do next. This is both a very important listening and reflecting back skill

Blame vs. Effect of behaviour

Dealing with blame and conflict.  Understanding the difference in using You, I or We statements in order to get away from blame and making someone wrong. This helps people get to a place where they can mutually find solutions.

Listening with Empathy

In discussion with others, we often get so focused on what we are trying to get across (as well as hoping to persuade the other person about our point of view), that we miss opportunities to use empathy, understanding and find common ground.

Other Communication Issues

If there is time there is a further opportunity for participants to examine any real life experiences when they were unsatisfied with the outcome of a specific communication.

Support

The final exercise of the day is for each delegate to devise a personal Plan of Action, identifying their personal take-out of the programme, where they know they will practise and areas for development.

Finally we have people identify what will stop them putting this into practise and what support they need to help themselves put the course work into practise.

Communication Skills Training and Development