Communication and Relationship Management Skills

Introduction:

This course relies on active participation as a core activity relying on different business scenarios and case studies to impart critical knowledge and skills about successful communication and relationship management.

The course also uses a mix of interactive techniques, such as brief presentations by the participants, different role-plays, practical team and individual exercises, and self-evaluations.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of trust in building successful relationships.
• Identify, analyze, and engage stakeholders – the power/interest matrix.
• Recognize the role of context when communicating and building relations with others.
• Identify and pursue relationship opportunities that bring value and achieve results.
• Develop, manage, and nurture relationships – moving from transactional to transformational.
• Expand and broaden the network of influence and success.

Target Audience:

• Leaders.
• managers.
• supervisors.
• Professionals who are keen on improving their networking and influencing skills.

Target Competencies:

• Building trust-based relationships.
• Influencing others.
• Listening.
• Interpersonal communication.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Presenting ideas.
• Building convincing business cases.
• Thinking win/win.
• Influencing others.
• Seeking input and different perspectives.

Course Outlines:

Unit 1: Relationships and the trust factor:

• Introduction to human relations:
  • The good, the bad, and the ugly.
• The need for relationships and networks:
  • Thinking beyond oneself.
  • The challenges of modern-day habits.
• Why does trust matter?
  • Positive relationships versus forced relationships.
  • The Johari Window.
• What influences relationships and networks?

Unit 2: Relationships and Communication:

• The three elements of communication.
• The importance of preparing and organizing one’s thoughts and ideas.
• Why assertiveness matters – the pros and cons.
• The Botari Box.
• Building rapport in the workplace.
• The likeability factor.

Unit 3: Relating to the hearts and minds:

• Knowing your stakeholders.
• Managing your stakeholders' expectations.
• ‘Selling’ your ideas.
• Creating a persuasive message that evokes the right emotions.
• Reframing your message to accommodate your stakeholders’ needs, wants, and style.
• Communicating with difficult people.
• Communicating difficult topics.

Unit 4: Building and influencing relationships:

• Power and influencing.
• Dale Carnegie and self-awareness.
• What’s in it for Us (WIIFU) versus What’s in it for Me (WIIFM):
  • Identifying opportunities to build strong and healthy working relationships.
• The role of context in building a successful relationship.
• Seeking feedback and different perspectives.
• Investing in a relationship:
  • Moving from the transactional to the transformational.
  • Tips to develop positive relationships.
• Working through difficult relationships:
  • Divesting from a relationship.

Unit 5: Successful networking:

• Reasons for building your network.
• The benefits of building your network.
• Things to remember with networking.
• Simple tips to remember when building your networking.
• Effective business and professional networking.
• Broadening your network.