Assertive Communication and Conversation Skills: Practical Training Course

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Learn Business Communication the smart way with Business Communication courses at CCE, the University of Sydney.

This one-day practical training course will give you the confidence, skills, tools and techniques to handle tough conversations with less stress and more success.

You will learn and practise how to be assertive, conversationally without being forceful or defensive. Deal constructively with disagreement, criticism, conflict and bullies in a calm and professional manner. Set boundaries, push back, and become more influential and persuasive in your personal and workplace conversations.

This experiential day enables you to work on your assertive language, your emotions, your mind and your physiology to courageously handle ‘difficult’ people and ‘difficult’ situations successfully.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• use techniques and tools to handle tough conversations
• respond ‘in the moment’ calmly and professionally
• demonstrate a positive growth mindset
• use clear direct honest assertive language
• frame your conversations for best results
• adopt the most appropriate mode of behaviour for a given situation
• create more collaboration with others
• negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes.

Content

This course covers the following topics:

• mindsets, emotions, physiology and language – an integrated approach
• behavioural / communication styles using Yvonne’s LAFFe to Success model
• frame the conversation for a positive outcome
• build rapport to engage others
• how to respond rather than react
• how to confidently have a ‘difficult’ conversation
• set boundaries
• ‘push back’ and say No respectfully
• collaborate for agreed best mutual outcomes
• ethically influence others
• negotiate win/win/win solutions.

Intended Audience

Suitable for past participants of Getting What You Want Course: Assertive Communication Skills and Assertive Communication Skills Course: Advanced.

This course is also perfect for new participants who are busy professionals, managers and team members who want to improve their skills to manage challenging conversations with confident respectful behaviours at work and in life.

Delivery Style

Delivered as an interactive and experiential workshop. It includes: self-assessment, quizzes, demonstrations, skills practice, coaching, feedback and other activities to embed the learnings.

The uniqueness of this course is that it is focuses on the participants' specific challenges and how to have real effective conversations to address the issues and misunderstandings. ‘What to say’ and ‘how to say it’ depends on many factors; the situation, history, experience, culture, mood, outcomes . . . so participants explore respectful assertive alternatives for each ‘challenging’ situation.

Recommended Reading

The following reading is recommended but not essential:

• LAFFe to Success: A Practical Guide to getting Along with Others: Plus the A – Z of LAFFe Behaviour.