Communication Skills Course

Why should you consider investing in a communication skills course for your teams? If you’ve found your way to this page, chances are you already know that dealing with people can be the most challenging aspect of your role. Your work revolves around people – motivating and developing team members, attracting top talent, and encouraging your teams to take accountability and ownership of their own career journey.

Our clients approach us with varied requests: they want their team members to communicate with confidence, take initiative,  influence others, and demonstrate agility in the face of change. And what we’ve come to realise is that they are asking us for one thing: helping their teams to develop versatile communication skills.

 

Unlock effective communication

Because exceptional communication lies at the core of exceptional teams. Teams where leaders communicate openly and authentically. Teams where individuals feel a sense of psychological safety. Teams where everyone is empowered to contribute ideas and take ownership.

If you’re eager to see your teams step up, take initiative, and confidently own their messages, then there’s only one solution. We offer a diverse range of communication skills courses designed to enhance your team’s communication and influencing skills, some of which are outlined below Let’s connect, and together, we’ll help your teams thrive!

Personal Resilience Skills Programme

Never before have we been faced with such challenges that drain energy, push emotional hotspots and distract attention. We’re faced with constant pressures at home and at work that hijack wellbeing and drain morale.

They’re often the reason that your team turns down a promotion or ignores the opportunity to change role.  What if you took this opportunity to help your team to shift their view of themselves and their horizons?

Because relating to others begins with an understanding of ourselves. Resilience skills are the first step to great communication skills

Resilience is a skill that can be learnt.

Resilient people tend to be happier, have better relationships, higher life satisfaction and experience less anxiety. This programme explores sources of resilience and looks at practical changes that can be made to face life and work challenges. With the right mindset, adversity becomes opportunity.

Communication skills and resilience skills in one programme:

We’ll help participants to explore personal triggers and to implement a suite of tools and techniques to fight default responses. You can expect your team to develop a greater understanding of themselves and their relationships with others. With practical take-aways and learning actions to implement after each session, your team will find ways to unlock lasting change in how they view themselves.

Suggested programme content:

Module 1:

Looking through a different lens – introduction to resilience. The four key components. How does emotion affect our response to challenging situations? Changing your mindset. Explore your personal triggers and be provided with a suite of tools and techniques to fight your filters and default reactions.

Module 2:

Building Resilience and getting used to feeling uncomfortable – Overcoming imposter syndrome/building confidence. Managing your inner critic. Dealing with stumbling blocks. Learning to be bold.

Module 3:

The Double Shift… How work-smart are you?  Balancing – separating and blending – work and personal life to achieve your goals.  Being flexible. Switching off. Building your sources of support.

Module 4:

Rust Out v Burn Out – Making fear your friend. Learning how to say “Yes…IF!” Managing conflict and negativity.  Know your own stress patterns. Making work, work for you.  If you say yes to this, what are you saying no to?

Managing Business Relationships

Misunderstandings happen all the time. At work with colleagues. In relationships with clients. At home with family. For these conversations, the cost of failure is high. And when the parties communicating have a mismatch of expectations, that leads to frustration and a breakdown of relationships.

But it doesn’t have to be like this. If your team could enter into challenging conversations knowing how to manage the process, what would that do for their wellbeing, resilience and feeling of fulfilment at work?

Building Stronger Business Relationships

This Managing Business Relationships programme takes your team on a journey, helping to build their confidence and providing them with a practical toolbox of techniques to manage conversations with even the most demanding of customers, colleagues and stakeholders.

The result? Your team will build stronger relationships, bounce back from difficult encounters more quickly and feel equipped to make their voice heard.

1. Emotional Intelligence

2. Your
Conversation Toolkit

3. Active
Listening

How does this programme help your team’s communication skills?

“The simple but fun practice sessions really helped me when I faced a horrible situation recently. Made a big difference to how I prepared.”

“My client phoned recently to apologise for how they had been treating my team after I stepped up to assert myself.”

“So many useful tips for dealing with stressful clients. A godsend.”

“Gave me a different view of the world. I have been on similar courses in the past but I thought this one was the best.”

Learning Pool 2020

Exceptional Executive Presence

Your executive presence is about your ability to inspire confidence in those around you. It’s how you respond in conditions of stress and uncertainty. It’s about closing the gap between how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you. Your executive presence is a skill, not a personality trait. And like any other skill it can be learnt.

Grow your leadership pipeline and support your talent to achieve their full potential.

This programme helps the emerging leaders within your organisation to grow their influencing skills in meetings, presentations and interactions with clients and internals stakeholders.  We’ll help your team to identify the mindset shifts and daily habits that they can cultivate to build executive presence.  We’ll give them access to practical tools to communicate with clarity, charisma and confidence every time they’re visible to their professional network.

Part 1

Emotional intelligence

Part 2

Your speaker presence

Part 3

Building your authority

Part 4

Growing your influence

Frequently Asked Questions

Are communication skills important in the workplace?

Communication skills are crucial in the workplace. Effective communication fosters clear understanding among team members, clients, and stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and productivity. It facilitates problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution. Strong communication skills promote a positive work environment, build relationships, and help to convey ideas persuasively, which is essential for negotiations and presentations. Overall, adept communication skills contribute significantly to a company’s success by promoting effective teamwork, reducing misunderstandings, and ensuring a coherent exchange of information throughout the organisation. A communication skills course can help people to understand themselves better and to become more skilful in how they communicate.

Are communication skills important in change management?

Communication skills are pivotal in change management, as emphasised by models like Lewin’s Change Model and Kotter’s 8-Step Process. Lewin’s model underscores the importance of unfreezing existing mindsets through effective communication, enabling smooth transition and refreezing. Kotter’s approach highlights the need for clear and consistent communication to create a sense of urgency, build a guiding coalition, and maintain momentum throughout the change. These models demonstrate that communication skills foster understanding, address concerns, and align stakeholders, ensuring the successful execution of change initiatives while minimising resistance and maximising employee engagement. 

Can communication skills be learned?

At Bespoke Communications, we offer a range of communication skills courses which include practical workshops and group or individual coaching. Our approach is different because we focus on helping people to shift their perspective in how they look at themselves or how they view themselves in relation to those they work with. Through practice, learning, and self-awareness, individuals can improve their abilities to express ideas clearly, listen actively, and adapt their communication style to various contexts. Courses, workshops, and feedback from peers or mentors can provide valuable guidance. Techniques such as role-playing, thought-provoking exercises, and studying effective communicators can enhance these skills. Consistent effort and a growth mindset are key to developing strong communication skills that benefit personal and professional interactions.

Where can I practice communication skills?

You can practice communication skills in various settings.Your development is directly linked to your own willingness to learn, grow and absorb feedback.  Be willing to engage in meetings at work and group discussions to enhance your listening and communication skills. Seek advice and feedback from a mentor at work whom you respect.  Sign up for a communiation skills course where you can learn vital techniques and approaches.  Workplace projects and team collaborations offer real-world practice. Online platforms, such as video conferencing or social media, provide opportunities to communicate effectively in digital contexts. Additionally, role-playing scenarios with friends or mentors can simulate different communication scenarios. Practicing across diverse situations will help to build confidence and proficiency in communication, crucial for personal and professional growth.

Can communication skills help with career development?

Those who have the skill to persuade others can change the world!  The ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients and stakeholders is key to a successful career. Legendary investor Warren Buffett often refers to the power of communication skills to accelerate career development. In fact, Buffett is widely quoted as saying that an investment in communication skills will double the lifetime value of an executive’s career.  Buffet credits Dale Carnegie’s course for transforming his life. Strong communication enables strong relationship-building and career opportunities. Articulate individuals convey ideas persuasively, leading to leadership roles and project management. Active listening aids in understanding colleagues and clients, fostering collaboration. Clear communication minimizes misunderstandings, reducing errors and conflicts. Like Buffett, those who master communication gain a competitive edge, as it’s crucial in negotiations, projects and team dynamics, propelling career growth and success.