Interpersonal Skills for Professionals August 17, 2009

Improve your communication skills—and every aspect of your work relationships!

It’s a whole new world of work, and interpersonal skills are key! Organizational change, diversity and electronic communications have changed the face of the workplace. Today, more than ever, success depends upon the combined cooperation, commitment and action of people—both face-to-face and across electronic and cyber channels. That’s why your interpersonal skills are so critical to your own effectiveness as a manager.
How You Will Benefit

* Solve problems by clarifying the real issues and roadblocks
* Minimize conflict and build group commitment
* Influence others and motivate them to profitable action through interpersonal skills
* Give criticism when necessary and praise to produce results
* Make trade-offs without being a pushover on big issues
* Implement plans without strong-arm tactics
* Develop credibility based on respect and trust
* Find alternatives to working with “difficult” people
* Generate enthusiasm for your ideas and proposals
* Give direction without creating “static”
* Save time, energy and talent by improving the entire “people” side of your job

What You Will Cover

Communication and the New Workplace

* Recognizing the expectations your manager, peers, employees and others have of your interpersonal skills performance
* Distinguishing between behaviors and intentions

Understanding Perception, Self-concept and Expressing Emotions

* How perceptions influence your interaction with others and their responses to you
* Analyzing how you and your coworkers approach work and relate to each other
* Understanding self-concept and reducing defensiveness

Nonverbal and Verbal Skills

* Applying a five-step process to the development and delivery of clear messages
* Understanding cross-cultural flexing

Using Listening and Feedback Skills to Build High-Performance Work Relationships

* Identifying personal listening liabilities and strategies for improvement
* Achieving productive and satisfying work relationships with peers, your manager and others
* Developing strategies for constructive performance feedback
* Directing and motivating others
* Practicing steps to effectively give directions
* Knowing what motivates others to achieve high levels of performance and effectiveness

Assertively and Productively Managing Conflict

* The differences between assertive, nonassertive and aggressive behaviors
* Negotiating your way out of conflict

Being a Team Player: The Synergistic Impact of All Your Interpersonal Skills

* Identifying which stage of team development your work group is in and responding appropriately

Who Should Attend

Managers, team leaders and supervisors who want to maximize their positive impact on others through effective interpersonal skills.

This seminar gives you three days of solid learn-by-doing training to sharpen your skills with superiors, peers and subordinates.
Extended Training Description

Learning Objectives

* Recognize and Manage the Complex Processes of Communication in Order to Achieve Performance Excellence through Interpersonal Cooperation
* Identify and Apply New Skills and Strategies to Enhance Individual and Team Performance
* Identify and Analyze Communication Styles and Practice Appropriate Strategic Interpersonal Skills to Develop and Maintain Productive Workplace Relationships
* Motivate and Influence Others to Work Cooperatively Toward Achieving Organizational and Team Goals By Effectively Communicating High Standards, Offering Productive Performance Feedback, and Recognizing Individual Accomplishments

Communication and the New Workplace

* Identify and Discuss the Importance and Key Characteristics of Effective Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace
* Recognize the Expectations Your Manager, Peers, Employees and Others in the Organization Have of Your Interpersonal Skills Performance in the New Work Environment
* Assess Potential and Real Barriers to Your Successful Use of Interpersonal Skills and Set Development Objectives for the Course

Understanding Perception, Self-Concept and Expressing Emotions

* Identify How Perceptions Shape and Influence Your Interaction with Others and Their Responses to You
* Apply Perception-Checking Skills to Reduce Misunderstandings and Faulty Assumptions
* Analyze the Impact of Self-Concept on Willingness and Ability to Take Risks and Engage in High-Level Individual and/or Team-Based Performance
* Recognize and Appropriately Respond to Expressions of Emotions at Work
* Identify and Analyze the Ways in Which You and Co-workers Approach Work and Relate to Each Other

Nonverbal and Verbal Skills

* Identify the Centrality of Nonverbal Cues in the Overall Process of Negotiating and Creating Shared Meaning
* List the Components of Nonverbal Communication and How They Can Best Be Used in First-Impression Management
* Recognize Common Verbal Barriers to the Creation of Shared Meaning
* Apply a Five-Step Process to the Development and Delivery of Clear Messages
* Analyze Cross-Cultural Interactions to Maximize Shared Understandings

Using Listening and Feedback Skills to Build High-Performance Work Relationships

* Identify Personal Listening Liabilities and Strategies for Improvement
* Recognize the Uses of Feedback in Building Understanding and Achieving High-Performance Standards, Individually and in Teams
* Practice and Apply the Use of Questions to Build Shared Information and Enhance Clarity
* Analyze the Uses of Self-Disclosure, Feedback, Listening and Questions as Means of Achieving Productive and Satisfying Work Relationships with Peers, Your Manager and Others

Directing and Motivating Others

* Review and Practice Steps to Effectively Give Directions
* Identify What Motivates Others to Achieve High Levels of Performance and Effectiveness
* Assess and Apply the Five Basic Principles of Building and Sustaining Cooperative and Productive Work Relationships
* Review and Apply a Seven-Step Method for Influencing Others across the Organization

Assertively and Productively Managing Conflict

* Recognize the Differences among Assertive, Non-Assertive and Aggressive Behaviors
* Analyze Needs and Select Appropriate Assertive Behaviors That Will Allow Others to Work with You and Give You What You Need
* Recognize Interpersonal Behaviors That Contribute to the Productive or Destructive Nature of Conflict

Being a Team Player: The Synergistic Impact of All Your Interpersonal Skills

* Recognize and Use the Various Roles Necessary to Have a Productive and Satisfying Team Interaction
* Identify the Stage of Team Development Your Work Group Is in and Respond and Adapt Appropriately
* Evaluate Your Role as Team Leader and Select Actions That Will Guide the Team to the Achievement of Goals
* Demonstrate Appropriate Use of Interpersonal Skills in a Team Process through Completion of a Team Survival Simulation

Setting a Plan for Continued Interpersonal Skills Growth

* Develop an Achievable Interpersonal Skills Development Plan

Official Website: http://www.focustraco.com/index.php/tm-training-schedule/details/222-110108