Communication Skills Enhancement Program

One of the main objectives of this program is to help each participant identify the arenas he or she has responsibility for or control over in the day-to-day issues. 

We spend 75% of the time understanding each individual internal world with strengths and vulnerabilities. 25% of the time is then spent understanding the way each participant interacts with co-workers and clients.

The morning session generally covers the informational/educational aspects of the day, while the afternoon is more experiential and interactive. At the end of the day we debrief...tying up all the loose ends. In many seminars the participants go through the engaging process of developing a list of 10-12 Operating Principles during the afternoon, which includes a number of "we will..." and "we will not..." statements that directly impact the personal/group success and the reputation/integrity of the organization. This is a list that everyone signs at the end of the day. The group then decides how to provide accountability for the implementation of each statement. A powerful part of the day-long experience!!!

Dr. Freeman likes to telephonically interview 2-3 of the participants in advance, utilizing their "anonymous" remarks as a way to customize the entire seminar experience.

B O T T O M L I N E B E N E F I T S

Immediate and long-lasting!

 1. Each participant has a better understanding of his or her communication style.

 2. Reduction of the potential for conflict or power struggles

     (preventive maintenance vs. crisis management).

 3. Higher morale and greater productivity.

 4. Better listening and communication skills.

 5. Greater sensitivity to work force diversity.

 6. Tools for influencing an emotionally safe climate.

 7. Working with change; not against it.

 8. Knowing how to approach different people and situations.

 9. Implementation of change in a win/win situation.

 10.Enhancing self-motivated work teams.

 11.What works and what doesn't work in terms of motivation.

 12.Dealing more effectively with difficult behavior.

P R O G R A M O V E R V I E W

Generic full day version with appropriate breaks

 * Participants share the best part(s) and most challenging aspect(s) of their jobs (if smaller group).

 * Presenter introduces himself and the purpose of the program.

 * Humorous concepts illustrating the reality that people are different; predictably different.

 * Explore the five contributing factors to interpersonal communication skills styles:

    i. Heredity

   ii. Childhood role models

  iii. Birth order

   iv. Physical characteristics

    v. Experiences

 * Emotional pain -- the great modifier of human behavior.

 * The differences between power and influence in communication.

 * Johari Window -- How trust and mutual respect are built up or broken down in an organization.

 * How personal Blind Spots and Mask effect leadership/ followership styles and communication skills.

 * Peeling the layers of the onion skin to get to the core issues:

    i. Gender issues

   ii. Cultural diversity

  iii. Generational influences

   iv. Professional status

    v. Personality style

 * Administer profile material

 * Overview of the universe of the four dominant communication styles and how each style:

    i. Responds to or reacts to emotional pain

   ii. Seeks to control his or her environment

  iii. Leads and follows

   iv. Makes decisions

    v. Completes communication

   vi. Deals with change

  vii. Processes information

 vii. Handles "personal attacks"

 * Three main areas where conflict generally erupts, combined with concepts for preventive maintenance

    -- plus skills for managing oppositional behavior after it has escalated. This is where communication

    breaks down or is built up!

 * In-depth study of each communication style

    i. Major fears

   ii. Natural and adaptive styles when confronted by stress or change

  iii. Dynamic drives

   iv. Needs-motivated behavior and communication language

    v. Tools for working effectively with each style

   vi. How personal dominant and sub-dominant styles can compliment vs. cause internal stress

  vii. Drawing the best out of others at work and at home -- lifestyle change

 * Learning to "read" one's graph.

 * Now what do we do with the information?

 * Time for feedback, personal responses to the accuracy of the information, and specific questions.

 * Help to develop action and accountability plans.

 * Allowance for one-on-one time with instructor.