Critical Core Communication Skills

The *Critical Core Communication Skills* are workplace essential topics bundled into a series of modules ideal for employees at all levels. Each interactive session focuses on skills crucial to a collaborative and productive work environment. Modules can be offered as a single session or bundled into a customized training series.
Review select workplace communication skills recommended by employers and request a consultation to discuss scheduling an on-site series at your organization. Skill modules address:
* Interpersonal Communication
* Oral Communication
* Team Communication
* Written Communication

Additional Information

• Module Options

  **Interpersonal Skills**
  *Non-verbal Communication*
  * Types of nonverbal communication
  * The impact of nonverbal cues
  * Open and supportive body language
  * Communicating with a helpful and positive tone
  * Filters and the effect on nonverbal messages
  *Active Listening and Assertive Speaking* or *Results-Oriented Communication*
  * Explain assertive, aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive styles
  * Demonstrate active and attentive listening
  * Listening self-assessment and reflection
  * Identify barriers to effective listening
  * Use powerful descriptive "I" messages
  * Focus on solutions in assertive speaking
  *Giving and Receiving Instructions / Making Requests*
  * Ways to enhance clarity
  * Importance of giving specific instructions
  * Practice following directions
  * Checking perceptions and understanding
  * Differences in adult learning styles and comprehension
  * Following up on instructions and requests
  **Oral Communication Skills**
  *Presentation Skills*
  * Baseline classroom presentation and peer critique
  * Audience analysis
  * Presentation objectives
  * Organizing your visual aids
  * Dealing with anxiety and nervousness
  * Effective delivery techniques
  *Impromptu Speaking*
  * Self-assessment of impromptu speaking skills and reflection
  * The role of nonverbal communication
  * Process for handling impromptu questions
  * Direct vs. indirect answers
  * Avoiding the phrase I don't know
  *Effective Meeting Skills*
  * Elements of effective meetings
  * Meeting facilitation technique
  * Meeting roles and responsibilities
  * Using guidelines for success to stay focused
  * Methods for checking consensus
  * Challenges of virtual meetings (webinars, conference calls)
  **Team Communication Skills**
  *Conflict Resolution*
  * The value of conflict
  * Understand why people don't embrace conflict
  * Self-assessment of conflict resolution style
  * Dealing with difficult people
  * Conflict avoidance communication techniques
  *Generational Communication*
  * Characteristics of generations in the workplace
  * Defining events and expectations of different generations
  * Bridging generational communication gaps
  * Valuing work preferences of different generations
  *Giving and Receiving Feedback*
  * Self-assessment on giving feedback
  * Analyzing feedback scenarios and identify opportunities
  * Planning for giving feedback
  * Three feedback challenges and ways to overcome them
  * Improving performance using positive feedback
  * Assessing opportunity as a receiver of feedback
  * Dealing with unjustified negative feedback (criticism)
  **Written Communication Skills**
  *Writing Foundations*
  * Matching singular or plural subjects with appropriate verb forms
  * Identifying the correct verb form to be used with indefinite pronouns
  * Omitting prepositional phrases when proofreading to ensure correct grammar
  * Eliminating redundant adjectives, adverbs and phrases
  *Business Writing*
  * Using reader-centered techniques to maintain customer goodwill
  * Choosing language that keeps your message clear, concise and contemporary
  * Designing documents that accomplish your objectives
  * Using direct and indirect approaches to accomplish desired results
  * Applying the best practices of email communication to your own writing
  *Proofreading Skills*
  * Proofreading approaches and tips to improve document accuracy
  * Rules regarding correct number usage in written communication
  * Spelling errors and commonly misspelled words that cause clarity problems
  * Punctuation rules for commas, semicolons, colons, dashes and quotation marks.