Advanced Communication Skills Course

Leaders today are expected to have a wide range of skills – technical, operational and relational. Leading people – the relational side of management is as important as task-based skills. Communication is the critical competency that underpins relationships, both for keeping team members up-to-date and for winning the support of key stakeholders.

This highly interactive IRES training course focuses on developing the communication competencies that allow the participants to lead and motivate others. The training course helps leaders become great communicators who know how to win respect, understanding and commitment.

During Advanced Communication Skills training course participants will develop the following competencies:

• Listening to and understanding others
• Building relationships with and between others based on trust and respect
• Conveying team/ business unit strategy by setting goals, planning and prioritizing
• Explaining where their team/project fits within the overall aims of the business unit and organization
• Creating a collaborative environment to support and encourage team members

Day 1 - Sharpening-up Active Listening; Giving Feedback

• Paying attention to words and body language
• Controlling ourselves so we can learn from others
• Asking good questions and listening to answers
• Checking understanding and reframing
• Finding time-out space for one2one feedback
• Keeping feedback timely and motivating

Day 2 - Building Relationships Based on Trust; Creating Respect for Others; Enabling Collaboration

• Building truthfulness, responsiveness, consistency, loyalty and capabilities
• Encouraging openness and willingness to share ideas and information
• Developing a collaborative culture within our team
• Rewarding accountability and collaboration
• Developing a collaborative mindset
• Creating a cohesive team with mutual respect

Day 3 - Conveying the Organization’s Vision; Setting Clear Priorities; Motivating & Persuading

• Creating a sense of urgency and purpose that motivates people
• Creating ownership so the vision is shared and empowering
• Clarifying deadlines and expected performance standards
• Checking understanding and gaining agreement
• Keeping people committed to the team
• Giving opportunities to succeed

Day 4 - Facilitating Discussion & Debate; Win-Win Negotiations; Managing Effective Meetings

• Paying attention to diverse personalities and undercurrents
• Ensuring everyone contributes
• Focusing on positive outcomes for all parties
• Aiming for commitment, not just agreement
• Key responsibilities of the meeting chair
• Maintaining interest and participation during meetings

Day 5 - Giving Presentations; Action Planning

• Structuring presentations so key points are understood and remembered
• How to include a call to action that leads to change
• A positive image: body language, dress code and voice
• Building rapport with the audience
• Avoiding pitfalls: stage fright, hostile questions, yawning and other problems
• Developing a personal action plan