Communication Skills Training

Effective communication is essential for teams to thrive in a complex world of work. Skills in professional communication help teams across a range of industries to develop self-confidence and improve relationships. When employees are strong communicators, they are better able to deliver clear messages and understand other people’s communication styles. The purpose of this workshop is to help employees develop effective communication skills and adapt their own communication style, so they can be more assertive.

Working with organisations across Australia, we know that communication is the #1 skill sought after by leaders and teams. Here are some reasons why effective communication is essential to modern workplaces:

1. Rise of ‘human skills’: More and more, organisations are helping employees develop both technical skills and soft skills. Employees are expected to collaborate, build relationships and develop their interpersonal skills. Soft skills are important for both individual and team success in the workplace.
2. Technology and rise of AI: Advancements in technology and the way we work will automate more manual work, changing job roles and what organisations consider valuable. Employees who are ‘team players’ with highly developed critical thinking and communication skills will become increasingly desirable.
3. Complex world of work: Living in a ‘VUCA’ (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environment means that employees will need to solve complex problems together and negotiate solutions. Communication strategies help employees work together and appreciate each other’s perspectives, so as enter comfortably into difficult conversations and find a path forward.
4. Task clarity: Because the lines are more blurred in modern workplaces, employees will continually need to work together to identify where tasks sit relative to people’s roles. Fundamental skills in good communication gives employees an edge in dealing with conversations related to task clarity, so outcomes can be achieved.
5. Stress management: An assertive communication style can help employees improve their ability to advocate for themselves and identify constructive solutions to problems, to alleviate stress. Skills in assertive communication help employees express their needs clearly while respecting the rights of other parties.

Overall, communication skills can help employees navigate these challenges and develop better, strong relationships. With Communication Training, coaching sessions, and support from peers, employees can uplift their communication style and put across their point of view more confidently.

If you want to learn more on communication and assertiveness skills, see our article on ‘What is communication?’ that talks you through the four communication styles.

With the help of Communication Training, skills that employees can put in place to enhance performance include:

1. Assertiveness: Employees who are assertive communicators are better able to manage a range of communication styles, as they have good listening skills and can present constructive solutions that respect the rights of all parties. Employees understand that different people communicate in a range of ways and that each person will have a unique perspective.
2. Self-confidence: New situations, projects and ever-changing work environments mean that employees need to learn to speak-up and advocate for themselves. When employees have strong interpersonal skills and business communication skills, they can articulate problems and identify solutions, to develop greater confidence in their roles.
3. Relationship management: This involves the ability to recognise and regulate one’s own emotions and maintain healthy relationships with others. Employees can improve this by engaging in positive body language and making eye contact, while they communicate their needs and expectations clearly.
4. Perspective taking: Conflict can arise when there are different perspectives and communication styles in the workplace, but employees who are skilled in good verbal communication can navigate this. Employees who stay calm and objective in situations and look for the ‘win-win’ have a greater impact on workplace culture.
5. Personal development: When employees learn how to communicate in a skilled way while considering the rights of others, they build healthier, more trusting relationships. Personal and professional development can go hand in hand when organisations invest in bettering communication skills. It is a win for individuals and the broader business.

By developing capability in communication, employees can grow their interpersonal skills and navigate people, projects and problems with greater ease.

What is Communication Skills Training?

Our communication skills course is specifically designed for employees to understand communication styles and develop effective communication strategies. It aims to provide participants with the tools and resources to apply their learning and engage in team interactions with greater confidence. Our experienced facilitators have worked with many Australian leaders on communication skills and will share case studies and stories to help your leaders.

Why should my organisation offer Communication Skills Training?

Being part of this training course can help employees discover more confidence, leading to greater job satisfaction and relationships. It can also help learners to break through barriers that might otherwise hold them back from asking questions or having difficult conversations. The workshop experience is designed to help employees learn from each other and see how they might support each other to grow their communication skills.

Who can attend Communication Skills Training?

Communication skills training is designed for teams. The skills we focus on encourages clear and straightforward communication that helps team members convey information and engage in healthier relationships. Leaders can do the workshop with their team or the Boost Assertiveness training course – this is specifically built for leaders to enhance assertiveness skills.

Is Communication Skills Training only available in person?

We deliver a lot of face-to-face workshops in Sydney, Melbourne and across Victoria but Communication Skills Training can be delivered in an in-person, virtual or hybrid format; depending on the organisation’s set-up. It is typically made up of strategies, discussions and a series of activities to support on the job application.

The workshop can be combined with individual or group coaching sessions with a Thinka coach as well – to form a more robust short course. Coaching plays an important role in challenging old behaviours and building fresh confidence and capability in each of the participants. Organisations might also opt for a blended program that makes use of an online course and/or digital media as well.

Team Development Program with Mattel

1. What was the objective?

This program was designed in response to employee engagement data that revealed where capability gaps existed in the organisation. This approach allowed us to focus on specific skills that required development, to improve team and project outcomes.

2. How did we do it?

We focussed on skills like enhancing collaboration, driving accountability and assertive communication in a series of workshops – so team members could work toward building greater overall capability in communication skills. Using a hands-on learning approach through a series of activities, discussions and breakout sessions, each workshop was interactive and practical.

3. How was it integrated and what were the results?

Using a practical approach meant the learning could be immediately applied when back on the job in different contexts. As an example, the ‘Six Thinking Hats’ were actively used as a result of the collaboration workshop. Also, the ‘above and below the line’ model was put into action as a result of the accountability workshop. These models helped team members use practical frameworks to improve skills in communication overall.