Enhancing Workplace Conversation SkillsCOURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the Enhancing Workplace Conversation Skills course. This program will equip you with the knowledge and capabilities required to understand what a conversation is, why conversation skills are essential in workplace dynamics, and what communication means in both theory and practice. You will explore the transmission model, the ShannonWeaver transmission model of communication, the problems associated with linear models, how

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Enhancing Workplace Conversation Skills course. This program will equip you with the knowledge and capabilities required to understand what a conversation is, why conversation skills are essential in workplace dynamics, and what communication means in both theory and practice. You will explore the transmission model, the Shannon–Weaver transmission model of communication, the problems associated with linear models, how understanding actually occurs, the principles of parallel processing, and the characteristics of a new model of communication that reflects real-world interaction.

This course begins by examining the three levels of understanding and the big issue of small talk, including why informal discussions are important for relationship-building. This section explains the importance of building rapport, what to avoid so that others do not feel excluded or interrogated, and why learning the art of conversation strengthens clarity and trust. You will explore how to display the shape of your thinking, how to influence with your ideas, how conversation forms the heart of communication, and how conversations function across different workplace contexts.

Another area of learning focuses on the structure and mechanics of conversations. You will examine how conversations work, the repeated question of what a conversation truly is, and how to balance advocacy and enquiry to create productive dialogue. This section explains why conversations go wrong, how to put conversations into context, and how to work out the relationship operating between individuals. You will explore how relationships function along multiple dimensions and how Meredith Belbin’s team roles can influence conversational dynamics and communication outcomes.

A further area of learning explores how conversations can be structured more effectively for clarity and purpose. You will examine how an effective conversation manages structure, why conversations can go wrong, and identifiable ways to improve your conversations. This section explains how to clarify your objective before speaking, how to structure your thinking, and how to apply the WASP model of conversation in complex workplace interactions. You will also explore the four types of conversations commonly encountered at work and how each requires its own communication approach.

The next area of learning examines how to manage time within conversations. You will explore why conversations can go too fast or too slow, how to slow down or speed up a conversation, and how finding common ground shifts conversations from conflict to cooperation. This section explains how to move beyond argument, how the ladder of inference influences interpretations and reactions, and why summarising often helps maintain clarity. You will also explore the value of using visuals and how metaphors can improve understanding and engagement during workplace conversations.

By the end of this course you will be able to understand communication models and their limitations, apply modern conversation principles, build rapport effectively, balance advocacy and enquiry, diagnose conversation breakdowns, interpret relationship dynamics, recognise the influence of team roles, structure conversations for clarity, manage pacing and timing, establish common ground, use tools such as the WASP model and ladder of inference, summarise confidently, and enhance workplace communication through purposeful use of visuals, metaphors, and advanced conversation techniques.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

• What is a conversation?
• The importance of having conversation skills
• What is communication?
• The transmission model
• The Shannon–Weaver transmission model of communication
• The problems with the transmission model
• How do we understand?
• The parallel processing
• A new model of communication
• The three levels of understanding
• The big issue of small talk
• The importance of building rapport
• What to avoid so that the other person does not feel excluded or interrogated?
• The importance of learning the art of conversation
• How to display the shape of our thinking?
• How to influence with our ideas?
• How conversation is the heart of communication?
• How conversations work?
• What is a conversation?
• How to balance advocacy and enquiry within a conversation?
• Why do conversations go wrong?
• How to put conversations in context?
• How to work out the relationship?
• How our relationship operates along a number of dimensions?
• Meredith Belbin’s team roles
• How an effective conversation manages structure?
• How conversations can go wrong?
• Ways to improve your conversations
• How to clarify your objective?
• How to structure your thinking?
• The WASP model of conversation
• The four types of conversations
• How to manage time for and in the conversation?
• Why conversations can go too fast or too slow?
• How to slow down or speed up a conversation?
• How to find common ground ?
• How to move beyond argument?
• The ladder of inference
• Why you should summarise often?
• Why use visuals?
• How to use metaphors during a conversation?

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.