Overview
Course duration: 1 day.
This is an interactive course which focuses on how to apply questioning and listening techniques to communicate with greater effect in the workplace.
This one-day introductory level course introduces you to the core skills that underpin effective communication: skilled questioning, focused listening and confident voicing of your views. You will learn how to achieve greater success and openness in your work-based relationships. The course contains interactive sessions that will help you to develop your confidence in using more effective questioning and listening skills, and you will leave with a personal action plan identifying the key changes to make.
Is it right for me?
Individuals who want to improve their confidence, gather information, build relationships and persuade internal and external audiences.
What will I learn?
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Communicate more effectively.
- Gain new information through effective questioning techniques.
- Pick up on hidden messages.
- Actively listen for feelings as well as meaning.
- Use techniques to check and build the understanding of others.
- Increase your confidence when communicating face-to-face
Pre-course Activity
To gain the maximum benefit from the course, you will be sent a pre-course questionnaire to complete which asks you to consider current expectations. This will help you set the context of the course and the information you provide will be used on the day as part of the course activities.
What will it cover?
Effective Communication
- Identifying and using different communication styles
- Barriers to effective communication
- Understanding the other person's perspective
The Impact of Poor Questioning and Listening
- Creating confusion and misunderstanding
- Losing new ideas and stifling creativity
- Causing frustration and de-motivation
Good Questioning Skills
- Understanding when and how to ask a question
- Taking the time to question rather than answer
- Using probing techniques to gather information
Good Listening Skills
- Improving your concentration when listening
- Learning how to listen for feelings
- Demonstrating appreciation of the other person's point of view
Putting it into Practice
- Communicating with confidence
- What others say may not be what you hear
- Creating a personal action plan to communicate more effectively
Further courses to consider
Influencing and Persuading Skills with an Introduction to Negotiating
An Introduction to Neuro Linguistic Programming
Trainer Profile
George Baxter
View a short video of George talking about this course.
I believe we all have the ability to be effective communicators. This is an opportunity to share experiences and gain confidence in a safe environment using modern techniques.
We will practise questioning and listening skills in a variety of ways to broaden delegates’ abilities.
We’ll look at what causes frustration in poor communication and become more familiar with different communication styles and how to use them to complement how we currently communicate. I will encourage delegates to take time to consider the impact their new skills can bring to them as individuals, as well as to their colleagues.
The Faculty
Along with Malcolm Caudren, Ian Sanders and Andy Kane, George Baxter is part of the dedicated faculty team who will deliver this course.
View our trainers' profiles.
Recent delegates have said
“Excellent trainer - George was enthusiastic and encouraging.”
Testimonial
Kristin Fuchs, Technical Assistant
Mack Brooks Exhibitions Ltd
I work in a very busy environment and wanted to learn how to better phrase my sentences in order to get a response quickly. The course enabled me to identify which questions to ask and to whom in order to get the answers I need. It has really given me more self-confidence back in the workplace. Congratulations to the tutor, I followed his course throughout - he definitely knew what he was teaching us!