Best Practices in Communication and Relational Skills

Introduction

Leaders today are expected to have a wide range of skills – technical, operational, and relational. This program focuses on developing the communication competencies that allow them to lead and motivate others. It helps leaders become great communicators who know how to win respect, understanding, and commitment. 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.

During this program 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 the bigger picture and where their team/project fits within the overall aims of the business unit and organization
• Creating a collaborative environment where team members support and encourage each other 

Objectives

This programme aims to enable participants to build high achieving teams where people feel valued by:

• Showing they are listening to and respecting others
• Clarifying objectives and expectations and providing support as individuals seek to attain them
• Developing a collaborative team culture where people work together to achieve goals and overcome challenges
• Ensuring everyone contributes to discussions and all points of view are heard before making decisions that are then supported by the team
• Using presentations to win recognition for team achievements and support for goals 

Skills You Will Need To Develop To Put Your Learning Into Practice

• Counseling Skills
• Coaching Skills
• Conflict resolution
• Providing Feedback
• Interpersonal Skills
• Listening Skills
• Interviewing Skills
• Presentation Skills 
• Influencing Skills
• Handling Difficult People

Behaviors You Will Need To Develop To Put Your Learning Into Practice

• Achievement Orientation
• Adaptability
• Business and Organizational Awareness 
• Impact and Influence 
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership
• Management Control
• Self Development
• Staff Development

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practices. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting.

Who Should Attend?

• People who supervise others and wish to improve their relational skills
• People who lead teams and wish to do so more effectively
• People who have been identified as having potential for leadership roles
• Executives who want to develop their capabilities in motivating and inspiring people

Course Outline

Research among global leaders identified the top ten communications skills for effective team management – active listening, giving feedback, relationships of trust, respect for others, collaboration, conveying vision, setting priorities, motivating, facilitating, and negotiating. This program provides practical techniques so you can master these skills to build high achieving teams where people feel valued. You will leave confident you can inspire and motivate team members to give of their best.

Day 1: Welcome & introductions; 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 Organisation’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 to understand 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
• Focussing 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