Effective Communication and Interpersonal Relations Course

Many organisations are characterised by strained relations and conflict which undermine operations and performance. Communication and interpersonal relations are complementary tools for reducing conflict and enhancing performance in organisations. Communication provides direction, shared values, common understanding, motivation, commitment and transparency

Some of the competencies addressed in the training include:

• Builds effective communication skills.
• Builds effective interpersonal skills.
• More focused communication.
• Matching required communication style to the situation.
• Assertive rather than passive or aggressive behaviour.
• Greater ability to handle difficult situations.
• Ability to avoid conflict.
• Develops assertive behaviour.
• Greater use of tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to undertake relationship repair steps.

Contents

Day One

Getting to know yourself

• What is your personality type?
• What are your communication preferences?
• What are your communication tendencies?

Understanding others                             

• What other personality types are out there?
• What are their communication preferences?
• What are their communication tendencies

Making allowance for others choice and circumstance

• Consider your approach:

• What is the receiver's choice?
• What type of message are you delivering?
• Is sensitivity, personal touch, speed, evidence, privacy or public acknowledgement most important?

• Develop strategies for future application  

Day Two

Personal Effectiveness

Goal Setting and Planning

• How to identify what your goals and objectives are
• Turning your ideas into well-structured objectives that you can easily communicate to others
• Building a plan that pushes you to achieve your goals and objectives
• Building a personal development plan that pushes you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed

 Self-Motivation

• How to identify your individual motivators and de-motivators
• Changing your mind set to a more positive one
• Applying the motivators to yourself to generate self-motivation
• How to deal confidently and efficiently with setbacks

Day Three

Understanding Communication Barriers

• An Overview of Common Barriers
• Language Barriers
• Cultural Barriers
• Differences in Time and Place
• An Overview of Common Barriers
• Language Barriers
• Cultural Barriers
• Differences in Time and Place

Paraverbal Communication Skills

• The Power of Pitch
• The Truth about Tone
• The Strength of Speed

Non-Verbal Communication

• Understanding the Mehrabian Study
• All About Body Language
• Interpreting Gestures

Day Four

Appreciative Inquiry

• The Purpose of AI
• The Four Stages

Mastering the Art of Conversation

• Level One: Discussing General Topics
• Level Two: Sharing Ideas and Perspectives
• Level Three: Sharing Personal Experiences

Conversational Psychology

• Understanding Precipitating Factors
• Establishing Common Ground
• Using “I” Messages

Day Five

Communication behavior and conflict management

• Assertive, passive and aggressive behaviors
• Verbal and non-verbal components of communication behaviors
• Conflict management
• Types of conflicts
• Sources of conflicts
• Conflict management styles
• Essential conflict management skills
• Learning to say 'no'
• Guidelines for applying 'no'

Active listening

• Hearing versus listening
• Active versus passive listening
• Tips to improve active listening skills
• 3 aspects of active listening
• Active listening skills inventory
• Using different questioning techniques
• Closed and open questions
• Probing types questions
• Pitfalls of leading questions

Constructive feedback and criticism

• The value of feedback
• Positive versus negative feedback
• Giving constructive criticism
• Receiving criticism