Skillful Communication

Leaders and other professionals spend more time communicating than anything else.

Leaders and other professionals spend more time communicating than anything else. They interact with employees, peers, customers, vendors and many other stakeholders in the success of your organization. The most important communication skill—of reading, writing, listening and speaking—is listening. Why? Because listening is the basis of learning and problem-solving, of building rapport and relationships, and of understanding customer needs. Without using effective listening skills, leaders may waste time solving surface issues instead of true problems and may miss customer cues of dissatisfaction or opportunities for increased sales.

Your organization may need this program if:

• The same problems keep arising, even after potential solutions appear to be found.
• There is noticeable rapport lacking between members of the same team.
• Communication breakdowns occur frequently.
• Sales are slipping because sales people are missing key customer issues.
• Employees turn their problems over to leaders to solve.

Program Outcomes:

• Recognize and apply listening skills when they are most needed.
• Prevent misunderstanding by clarifying what others truly mean.
• Define the relevant layers—or core—of a problem, before devising a solution.
• Target and time input to ensure the greatest chance of having impact.
• Use a specific model for people-problem solving through two-way discussion.