Workplace Communication Skill Development Online Workshop

Description

On the surface “nice culture”, in which everyone is agreeable and pleasant all the time, sounds like an amazing workplace culture and something to aim for. However, “nice culture” creates problematic workplace dynamics. Dr Brene Brown explains that avoiding tough conversations has adverse effects in the workplace such as diminished trust and engagement, increased problematic behaviour such as passive-aggressive behaviour, talking behind people’s backs, pervasive backchannel communication (or “the meeting after the meeting”), gossip, and the “dirty yes” (when I say yes to your face and then go behind your back), and decreased performance due to a lack of clarity and shared purpose. While clear communication offers a better alternative, there are many associated challenges. Fear of damaging relationships or losing collegial support, can cause abandonment of clear communication. Avoidance becomes the easy way out and important conversations with the potential to solve issues never occur.

Imagine a workplace that encourages risk taking, idea making, and clear and honest communication. Healthy workplace culture encourages awkward but kind conversations. With practice and courage, better communication can lead to increased cooperation and self-confidence. By gaining skills for use during difficult conversations, it is easier to lean into vulnerability and work through problem identification and solving, cultivating a sense of shared leadership and teamwork. When all conversation partners feel valued, supported, and heard, confidence is restored in achieving potential. Through shared empathy and validation, colleagues can experience a deeper level of mutual respect, and a willingness to communicate more freely. Empathy is a key component and as psychologist Harriet Lerner teaches, we must listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard.

Workplace Communication Skill Development is a practical training that identifies the problems with “nice culture”, helps participants face the fears associated with clear communication and outlines ways to do things differently. Featuring an overview of specific skills to tackle difficult conversations, it also includes practical role play to kick start the process of clearer communication in the workplace. With ideas about advanced communication by Dr Adele Lafrance, this training is the perfect introduction to the full 3 hour Advanced Communication Skills training, which unpacks personal emotional triggers and the emotion regulation of others, common communication barriers, as well as practical skills for validating conversation partners while setting limits.