A fresh look at increasing clarity and confidence, and developing productive relationships

In today's highly-interactive, team-based working environment, technical abilities are not enough to guarantee your success. Your communication and interpersonal skills can spell the difference between success and failure in actually getting your job done. Excellent communication skills are probably the most potent career and personal skills you can possess.

However, many young people start their working lives not knowing how to communicate face to face with colleagues, let alone with employers or clients. They are more comfortable sending text messages than they are speaking. Some people lack confidence to speak up when communicating, while others are so overconfident that they don't know how to listen.

In this practical, fun, learn-by-doing workshop, Shirley Taylor will share some powerful tools for building better relationships with bosses, colleagues, clients and friends. You will be able to use these skills immediately to create a more supportive and co-operative working environment, as well as to propel yourself along the path to career success.

Top up your communication toolkit in this interesting, interactive workshop. You'll enjoy a high-energy day of professional development, and at the same time you'll have lots of fun!

Objective

Outline

Understanding your role in team communication

• What makes a great communicator great?
• Major communication challenges and how to overcome them
• The benefits of making great connections
• How to make great first impressions and build bonds
• Verbal and non-verbal door-openers that encourage communication

Words, voice and body language

• It's not just what you say; it's also how you say it
• What is your body saying? Body language bloopers
• What frustrates you when speaking to others?
• Vocal hazards that reduce your impact, and how to fix them
• 5 key steps to increasing vocal clarity

Improving your listening and speaking skills

• Key differences between good listeners and bad listeners
• Passive, Selective, Attentive and Active listening
• Encouraging communication through listening actively
• 10 keys to being an effective listener
• Practice your active listening and paraphrasing skills

Improving your assertiveness in communication

• Basic behavioural styles in communication
• The differences between passive, assertive and aggressive behaviour
• The power of empathy and assertiveness
• The 3F formula for assertive communication
• Diffusing conflict by effective use of assertiveness

Ongoing learning and conclusions

• Increasing confidence and creativity in communication
• Brainstorming and team-building games
• The 5 Cs of developing great relationships
• Top 10 tips for making successful connections

Methodology

This workshop is highly interactive and participative, with lots of group work, pair work and discussion. Several role-plays have been designed specially to help you overcome nerves and contribute happily. Participants will find the workshop fun, friendly, interesting and practical. All participants will receive a comprehensive workbook packed with tips and advice about how to be a better, more confident and more effective communicator.

Testimonial

"Shirley's enthusiasm and humour is fantastically amazing and entertaining. No falling asleep in this workshop!"
Low Ying Wai - Logistics Administrator, SABIC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

"OMG!! This is the most superb and enjoyable seminar I've ever attended. Very educational and so many takeaways that I can put into practice immediately."
Sulastri Yusorh - Assistant Manager, Allianz SE Reinsurance

Shirley Taylor's Profile

Shirley Taylor has established herself as a leading authority in modern business writing and communication skills. She is author of 6 successful books on communication skills, including the international best-seller 'Model Business Letters, E-mails and Other Business Documents 6th edition', which has sold almost half a million copies worldwide. With over 20 years experience in teaching and training, Shirley puts a lot of passion and energy into her workshops to make sure they are entertaining, practical and informative, as well as a lot of fun.