Communicating with Confidence

Let’s face it: There’s no substitute for in-person, one-on-one communication, and having the skills to master such interactions is crucial for both business and personal success. This unique 2-day course is designed to give you a strong foundation in essential communication skills and competencies. Through practice sessions and role plays, you’ll be on your way to developing the confidence and communication know-how you need to establish yourself in the business world—and keep moving ahead throughout your career.

• Optimize communication skills you already have
• Get strategies to better assimilate verbal information
• Effectively interpret shared knowledge
• Improve work relationships and reduce misunderstandings
• Communicate clearly and appropriately—and with greater confidence
• Choose the right words even in difficult circumstances
• Expand your influence and be recognized for your skills

Assessing Your Communication Skills

• Understanding the skills you already possess
• Assessing your effectiveness and identifying improvement areas

Developing Your Listening Competencies

• Defining the competencies of effective listening
• Identifying the different components of the information you’re hearing
• How to take a more active role when listening
• Increasing comprehension through mental openness and feedback

Increasing Cognitive Skills to Promote Comprehension

• Discerning, analyzing and evaluating
• Visual aspects of verbal communication
• Relating information productively to your own experiences
• Creating mental cross-references between old and new information
• Framing statements and discussions

Roadmap for Clearer Communication

• Understanding effective body language and appropriate word choice
• Finding mutual connections or similarities to enhance communication
• Controlling emotions and establishing the right tone of voice
• Storytelling with imagery, passion and evocative language
• Creating a personal action plan

Effective Communication Begins with You: Getting the Confidence Advantage

• Use Self-Talk to Increase Your Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Describe How the 3Vs of Communication (Verbal, Visual, Vocal) Impact Understanding
• Evaluate and Improve Your Use of the 3 Vs
• Develop Openings That Promote Constructive Dialogue
• Use Can-Do Language to Enhance Others’ Willingness to Collaborate
• Recognize Your Strengths and Increase Your Willingness

Being Strategically Responsive

• Actively Listen and Absorb What Others Are Saying
• Use Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Clarification to Demonstrate Understanding
• Empathize to Deal with Difficult People or Defuse Emotionally Charged Situations
• Use the Appropriate Types of Questions to Move a Discussion Forward
• Recognize, Acknowledge, and Respond to Nonverbal Cues

A Look at Different Communication Styles

• Describe the Four Different Communication Styles
• Recognize the Communication Style of Those with Whom You Are Speaking
• Accommodate the Specific Needs of Others’ Communication Styles

Taking Responsibility for Having a Productive Discussion

• Identify the Anatomy of a Message
• Recognize Disguised or Distorted Responses
• Overcome Roadblocks and Achieve Your Goal for a Discussion

Message Planning and Execution

• Define the Purpose for Delivering Your Message in an Effective Way
• Apply Message Framing Strategies to Create an Open and Responsive Communication Environment
• Practice Skills for Delivering Messages That Promote Clear and Productive Communication

Effective Communication Begins with You: Getting the Confidence Advantage

• Use Self-Talk to Increase Your Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Describe How the 3Vs of Communication (Verbal, Visual, Vocal) Impact Understanding
• Evaluate and Improve Your Use of the 3 Vs
• Develop Openings That Promote Constructive Dialogue
• Use Can-Do Language to Enhance Others’ Willingness to Collaborate
• Recognize Your Strengths and Increase Your Willingness

Being Strategically Responsive

• Actively Listen and Absorb What Others Are Saying
• Use Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Clarification to Demonstrate Understanding
• Empathize to Deal with Difficult People or Defuse Emotionally Charged Situations
• Use the Appropriate Types of Questions to Move a Discussion Forward
• Recognize, Acknowledge, and Respond to Nonverbal Cues

A Look at Different Communication Styles

• Describe the Four Different Communication Styles
• Recognize the Communication Style of Those with Whom You Are Speaking
• Accommodate the Specific Needs of Others’ Communication Styles

Taking Responsibility for Having a Productive Discussion

• Identify the Anatomy of a Message
• Recognize Disguised or Distorted Responses
• Overcome Roadblocks and Achieve Your Goal for a Discussion

Message Planning and Execution

• Define the Purpose for Delivering Your Message in an Effective Way
• Apply Message Framing Strategies to Create an Open and Responsive Communication Environment
• Practice Skills for Delivering Messages That Promote Clear and Productive Communication

Download Extended Seminar Outline PDF