Communication Skills:
Results through Collaboration

What is this course about?

In this course, you learn how to achieve results in your communications with others and build collaborative relationships that emphasize trust and respect. Through interactive workshops, self assessments, role-playing activities and video simulations, you gain practical experience initiating and responding to communications with a flexible, genuine and self-confident approach.

Who will benefit from this course?

Anyone who must interact effectively with others to get the job done will find this course useful. Managers and professionals at all levels must rely upon sound communication skills for effective working relationships. People from all industries benefit from this course.

What background do I need?

No special background is required for this course. People from all industries will benefit from this course. All types of organizations-technical and non-technical, private and public, military and civilian, small and large-have sent participants to this course, with dramatic results.

How is this course structured?

This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlus^TM -- an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through media-rich case studies, role playing, and video/computer-based activities, you are immersed throughout the course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organization!

How will this course help me deal with conflict in the workplace?

When people with diverse viewpoints meet, some conflict is inevitable. Whether a given conflict is constructive or destructive depends on how skillfully people communicate. This course teaches methods that enhance work relationships and communications.

I am a programmer and don't deal much with people outside my group. Do I still need this course?

Yes! Anyone who must interact with others inside or outside of their organization must be able to communicate well. This includes dealing with co-workers, direct reports and higher-level managers. While you may not have extensive communications with others, this course prepares you for those important challenges or critical situations.

How can learning about assumptions improve my communication skills?

People's beliefs and assumptions are contained in almost everything they say and do. Recognizing when people are making assumptions requires skill. Asking the right questions helps you make others aware of how their assumptions, beliefs and attitudes are helping or hindering them, and therefore improves communication.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What kind of activities are in this course?

You are immersed in an experiential learning environment designed to allow you to practice the communication techniques, tools and strategies presented in class. Approximately 65 percent of the course is spent on activities, which include:

• Experiencing the difference between one-way and two-way communication
• Defining your communication style
• Dealing with challenging emotions through video scenarios
• Revealing personal filters through simulation games
• Overcoming cross-cultural barriers through case studies and role plays

Why should I care about openness and building trust?

In today's environment where downsizing and restructuring are negatively impacting the working relationships, team spirit and effective teamwork are often adversely impacted by organizational change. This course shows you how to find the right amount of openness, which helps you develop relationships that are more straightforward and where candid discussions and dialogue can take place.

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 17 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers other courses in management, communication and planning.

• 296, Project Management: Skills for Success teaches principles and best practice of running a broad range of projects. The tools of project management, including the PC-based project management packages that can lighten the tedious administrative load, are explored.
• 340, Project Management for Software Development focuses on the unique aspects of software development projects.
• 287, Complex Project Management is a follow-on to Course 296. In this advanced project management course, participants learn to use automated tools to plan and control their project as they deal with the realities of project uncertainties and change.
• 299, Microsoft® Project 2007: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides extensive practical experience using Microsoft Project, a project management software package.

• 290, Management Skills provides new and experienced managers with the practical skills needed to lead effective teams of professionals.
• 903, Public Speaking: Conveying Your Message with Confidence provides the opportunity to significantly improve your public speaking skills by practicing and delivering speeches and presentations in a safe environment with personalised feedback.
• 902, IT Relationship Management: Aligning IT with the Business offers the best practices of an IT Relationship Manager (ITRM) for facilitating actionable IT solutions that provide value to the business and satisfy the needs of business stakeholders.
• 910, Achieving Excellence in Customer Service offers the tools and techniques to ensure you build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with your customers.
• 294, Influence Skills: Getting Results without Direct Authority focuses on the specific behaviors and attitudes that enable you to achieve desired results without relying on the use of authority.
• 297, Personal Skills for Professional Excellence enhances your ability to handle the demands you face in any professional environment.
• 246, Managing Information Overload: Techniques for Working Smarter provides the skills needed to process fast-paced information to develop a competitive edge.
• 289, Disaster Recovery Planning: Ensuring Business Continuity provides practical experience designing, developing and testing a disaster recovery plan.
• 3405, Developing Your Leadership Voice provides the skills to create and apply your own communication style in a way that best represents you.