blackswan
Advanced communication skills

Almost everything anyone wants or needs will depend on others to some degree. This is true for everyone whether they are Managers, Lawyers, Supervisors, Computer Programmers, Engineers, Scientists, Teachers or Carpenters. Everyone’s success will depend largely on the effectiveness of their communication. Communication is therefore probably the most important skill on this planet.

Communication involves the use of words, which are assembled using rules of grammar into understandable sentences. But effective communication goes much further than this. Truly effective communication utilises the thinking processes of the parties involved, because words are simply a representation of the communicator's thoughts, and the receiver of the communication changes those representations (words) into their own thoughts.

If we are talking to a foreigner who does not understand English, then we can not reasonably expect them to understand our communication unless we use a language they were familiar with. If we are talking to a layman about Einstein's Theory of Relativity using technical and scientific language, then it is unlikely that they will make much sense out of what we say, even though we may both be speaking English. In both of these cases, our communication is more likely to be understood if we use words that they are familiar with and easily understand.

The same principles apply in all communication - to be communicating effectively, we must choose our words, not because they are words that we would be comfortable with, but because they are words that the recipient is likely to make sense of.

Communication is much more than simply the words we choose to speak. It involves the way the words are spoken as well as the body language which accompanies it. Written communication involves both the media chosen to transmit the words and the presentation. Effective communicators utilise everything involved in the communication to get their message over.This programme is designed for managers, sales staff, account managers and anyone else who wishes to expand and refine their communication techniques.

Learning Sector: Personal, management and leadership development
Suitability: General audience