Corporate E-Learning

Welcome to the Communication Strategies workshop. For the better part of every day, we are communicating to and with others. Whether it’s the speech you deliver in the boardroom, the level of attention you give your spouse when they are talking to you, or the look that you give to the cat, it all means something. This workshop will help participants understand the different methods of communication and how to make the most of each of them.

When we say the word, “communication,” what do you think of? Many people will think of the spoken word. People who are hearing impaired, however, might think of sign language. People who are visually impaired might think of Braille as well as sounds. In this module, we will explore the different ways in which we communicate.

On the surface, communication seems pretty simple. I talk, you listen. You send me an e-mail, I read it. Larry King makes a TV show, we watch it. Like most things in life, however, communication is far more complicated than it seems. Let’s look at some of the most common barriers and how to reduce their impact on communication.

Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”? It’s true! Try saying these three sentences out loud, placing the emphasis on the underlined word. • “I didn’t say you were wrong.” (Implying it wasn’t me) • “I didn’t say you were wrong.” (Implying I communicated it in another way) • “I didn’t say you were wrong.” (Implying I said something else) Now, let’s look at the three parts of paraverbal communication; which is the message told through the pitch, tone, and speed of our words when we communicate.

When you are communicating, your body is sending a message that is as powerful as your words. In our following discussions, remember that our interpretations are just that – common interpretations. (For example, the person sitting with his or her legs crossed may simply be more comfortable that way, and not feeling closed-minded towards the discussion. Body language can also mean different things across different genders and cultures.) However, it is good to understand how various behaviors are often seen, so that we can make sure our body is sending the same message as our mouth. Think about these scenarios for a moment. What non-verbal messages might you receive in each scenario? How might these non-verbal messages affect the verbal message? • Your boss asks you to come into his office to discuss a new project. He looks stern and his arms are crossed. • A team member tells you they have bad news, but they are smiling as they say it. • You tell a co-worker that you cannot help them with a project. They say that it’s OK, but they slam your office door on their way out. This is the first goal of this module: to help you understand how to use body language to become a more effective communicator. Another goal, one which you will achieve with time and practice, is to be able to interpret body language, add it to the message you are receiving, and understand the message being sent appropriately. With this in mind, let’s look at the components of non-verbal communication.

Now that we have explored all the quasi-verbal elements of communication, let’s look at the actual message you are sending. You can ensure any message is clear, complete, correct, and concise, with the STAR acronym. This module will explore the STAR acronym in conjunction with the six roots of open questions (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?), which will be explored in more detail later on in the workshop.

So far, we have discussed all the components of sending a message: non-verbal, para-verbal, and verbal. Now, let’s turn the tables and look at how to effectively receive messages.

Good questioning skills are another building block of successful communication. We have already encountered several possible scenarios where questions helped us gather information, clarify facts, and communicate with others. In this module, we will look closer at these questioning techniques that you can use throughout the communication process.

Traditional communication often focuses on what is wrong and how we can fix it. Think back to your last performance review, visit to the doctor, or your latest disagreement with a friend or spouse. Appreciative inquiry does the opposite: it focuses on what is right and how we can make it better. Many organizations have found it to be a refreshing, energizing way of approaching problems and revitalizing their people. Although we could spend a whole day talking about appreciative inquiry, this module will give you a brief taste of what AI is all about.

Engaging in interesting, memorable small talk is a daunting task for most people. How do you know what to share and when to share it? How do you know what topics to avoid? How do you become an engaging converser? Most experts propose a simple three-level framework that you can use to master the art of conversation. Identifying where you are and where you should be is not always easy, but having an objective outline can help you stay out of sticky situations. We will also share some handy networking tips that will help you get conversations started.

During this workshop, we have learned a lot about communication. We would like to wrap things up with a brief discussion on a few advanced communication topics. Adding these skills to your toolbox and using them regularly will make you a more efficient, effective, communicator.

Although this workshop is coming to a close, we hope that your journey to improve your communication skills is just beginning. Please take a moment to review and update your action plan. This will be a key tool to guide your progress in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. We wish you the best of luck on the rest of your travels!