Effective communication = 4 ears and 2 mouths
“Well timed silence hath more eloquence than speech” – Martin Farquhar Tupper

Overview
This interactive course will enable you to improve confidence when speaking with colleagues, managers and customers in a range of different day-to-day workplace situations. Several activities and will be used during the session to reinforce aspects and highlight the skills of participants

Objectives
• Understand what are the barriers to effective communication.
• Choose the best means of communication for each situation.
• Be more aware of your own communication style and how this is perceived.
• Understand the impact of non-verbal communication.
• Deliver you message with more confidence.

Content
What is effective communication?
Why is good communication important.
What makes communication successful.
Be aware of how you communicate.
What is your preferred communication style.
What are the barriers to effective communication and how to break them down.

Verbal and non-verbal communication
How to communicate - not just inform.
Establish open and honest, two-way communication.
Get your point of view across - in conversation or to a group.
Body language and voice – the power of language.

Communicating face-to-face and over the telephone
Build rapport - sounding friendly and confident.
Hear, listen and understand.
Ask questions to get the right information.
Voice rate - speed, articulation, sentence structure, reinforcing the main points.

Presenting a positive image
Project a more confident and professional image through improved communication skills and focusing on your own interpersonal skills and strengths.

Duration:  2 day  (2 days do not have to be taken consecutively)
Suggested maximum number of participants: 12

Who should attend?
People who need to communicate with others at work. Managers are advised to attend the “Communication Skills for Managers” course.