Course Outcomes

This communication skills course for technical professionals will:

  • Provide technical professionals with tips and tactics for leveraging their soft skills.
  • Offer a thorough overview of communication styles and best practices for building rapport.
  • Discuss communication channels and the strengths and limitations of each.
  • Suggest techniques for giving strong presentations to a range of audiences.

Course Overview

This virtual classroom course consists of three 90-minute to 2-hour sessions. The program addresses communication styles, rapport building, techniques for establishing a dialogue, listening, the pluses and minuses of different communication channels, best practices for participating in in-person and virtual meetings, and skills for designing and delivering presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Session One: A Soft-Skills Foundation

This course segment introduces communication fundamentals. The session begins with an overview of words, tone, and body language. Through a series of exercises, participants will determine how those elements work together to influence a message. Next, the segment looks at Dr. David Berlo’s SMCR communication model. Following that discussion, participants will practice their listening skills and discuss ways to leverage listening in their day-to-day communication. Finally, the session takes an in-depth look at communication styles and strategies for adjusting communication for better interactions with different types of people.

Segment Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Explain the elements of communication.
  • Describe different communication styles.
  • Adapt communication.
  • Leverage questions for better understanding.
  • Create a positive communication climate.
Segment Modules
  • The Basics
  • Listening and Questioning for Better Communication
  • Understanding Yourself and Others
  • Creating Positive Communication Climates
Homework
  • Implement one or two actions based on the content discussed in session one.

Session Two: Communication Channels

The second segment of this course opens with a discussion around what the participants have tried since the last session. Following that conversation, we will talk about visual, vocal, and verbal cues. Participants will then talk about intentions, results, and why miscommunication occurs. Next, we’ll discuss such communication channels as face-to-face meetings, telephone conversation, and email exchanges. Specifically, we will review the pluses and minuses of each channel and best practices for using each. Finally, we will talk about the challenges meetings present and activities to enhance communication during in-person and virtual gatherings.

Segment Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the components of face-to-face communication.
  • Follow best practices for positive telephone communication.
  • Explain email communication and etiquette.
  • Adhere to communication best practices during in-person and virtual meetings.
Segment Modules
  • Where You Are Now
  • In-Person Communication
  • Communicating Via Telephone
  • Communication Via Email
  • Best Practices for Meetings and Conference Calls
  • When Things Go Wrong
Homework
  • Implement one or two actions based on the content discussed in session two.

Session Three: Presentation Pointers

The final segment of this course opens with a conversation around what the participants have tried since the last session. Following that discussion, we will identify challenges participants face when presenting information formally and informally. Next, we will review best practices for managing nerves. Then, we’ll talk about audience analysis and targeting information to the correct level. Before moving on to discuss effective visual aids, participants will have an opportunity to craft an impact statement.

Segment Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Practice techniques for tackling presentation jitters.
  • Choose appropriate delivery tools.
  • Organize content effectively.
  • Target content at the right level for an audience.
  • Deliver a powerful introduction.
  • Employ best practices for creating and using slides.
Segment Modules
  • Relaxing
  • Your Tools
  • Concept Mapping
  • Tech Talk Translation
  • The Hook
  • Slides and Supporting Material
  • More Tips

By the conclusion of this web-based training course, participants should be able to leverage a range of tactics to improve their communication with other technical people and generalists.