Critical Core Communication Skills

The *Critical Core Communication Skills* are workplace essential topics bundled into a series of modules ideal for employees at all levels. Each interactive session focuses on skills crucial to a collaborative and productive work environment. Modules can be offered as a single session or bundled into a customized training series.

Review select workplace communication skills recommended by employers and request a consultation to discuss scheduling an on-site series at your organization. Skill modules address:

• Interpersonal Communication
• Oral Communication
• Team Communication
• Written Communication

Additional Information

• Module Options

  **Interpersonal Skills**

  *Non-verbal Communication*

  • Types of nonverbal communication
  • The impact of nonverbal cues
  • Open and supportive body language
  • Communicating with a helpful and positive tone
  • Filters and the effect on nonverbal messages

  
  

  *Active Listening and Assertive Speaking* or *Results-Oriented Communication*

  • Explain assertive, aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive styles
  • Demonstrate active and attentive listening
  • Listening self-assessment and reflection
  • Identify barriers to effective listening
  • Use powerful descriptive "I" messages
  • Focus on solutions in assertive speaking

  
  

  *Giving and Receiving Instructions / Making Requests*

  • Ways to enhance clarity
  • Importance of giving specific instructions
  • Practice following directions
  • Checking perceptions and understanding
  • Differences in adult learning styles and comprehension
  • Following up on instructions and requests

  
  

  **Oral Communication Skills**

  *Presentation Skills*

  • Baseline classroom presentation and peer critique
  • Audience analysis
  • Presentation objectives
  • Organizing your visual aids
  • Dealing with anxiety and nervousness
  • Effective delivery techniques

  
  

  *Impromptu Speaking*

  • Self-assessment of impromptu speaking skills and reflection
  • The role of nonverbal communication
  • Process for handling impromptu questions
  • Direct vs. indirect answers
  • Avoiding the phrase I don't know

  
  

  *Effective Meeting Skills*

  • Elements of effective meetings
  • Meeting facilitation technique
  • Meeting roles and responsibilities
  • Using guidelines for success to stay focused
  • Methods for checking consensus
  • Challenges of virtual meetings (webinars, conference calls)

  
  

  **Team Communication Skills**

  *Conflict Resolution*

  • The value of conflict
  • Understand why people don't embrace conflict
  • Self-assessment of conflict resolution style
  • Dealing with difficult people
  • Conflict avoidance communication techniques

  
  

  *Generational Communication*

  • Characteristics of generations in the workplace
  • Defining events and expectations of different generations
  • Bridging generational communication gaps
  • Valuing work preferences of different generations

  
  

  *Giving and Receiving Feedback*

  • Self-assessment on giving feedback
  • Analyzing feedback scenarios and identify opportunities
  • Planning for giving feedback
  • Three feedback challenges and ways to overcome them
  • Improving performance using positive feedback
  • Assessing opportunity as a receiver of feedback
  • Dealing with unjustified negative feedback (criticism)

  
  

  **Written Communication Skills**

  *Writing Foundations*

  • Matching singular or plural subjects with appropriate verb forms
  • Identifying the correct verb form to be used with indefinite pronouns
  • Omitting prepositional phrases when proofreading to ensure correct grammar
  • Eliminating redundant adjectives, adverbs and phrases

  
  

  *Business Writing*

  • Using reader-centered techniques to maintain customer goodwill
  • Choosing language that keeps your message clear, concise and contemporary
  • Designing documents that accomplish your objectives
  • Using direct and indirect approaches to accomplish desired results
  • Applying the best practices of email communication to your own writing

  
  

  *Proofreading Skills*

  • Proofreading approaches and tips to improve document accuracy
  • Rules regarding correct number usage in written communication
  • Spelling errors and commonly misspelled words that cause clarity problems
  • Punctuation rules for commas, semicolons, colons, dashes and quotation marks.