Psychology of Communication - Theory and Skills
Group - Two Day Course
Course Description
This course, developed in conjunction with Scaffidi Hugh-Jones, looks at the latest developments in psychology which can help us to read people better and to be more persuasive communicators. This knowledge leads to many new and advanced skills.
The program delves into the little known unconscious mind and how it influences thought, language and behaviour. There is an important section on language - both in word choice and in sequence - which surprises many with the way it helps to understand people and relate to them better.
Who Will Benefit
Senior executives who know they must relate well with those around them to be successful. The course is extremely valuable for people who specialise in communication - those involved in external or internal communications, or those who work in functional areas that use communication strategically. The program has been of specific value to those who work with difficult stakeholder groups - angry suppliers, customers, neighbours or staff.
Course Outline
Day 1
Morning: Language - unconscious
- Language - the three "dialects" of English - how and when to use them to enhance meaning and acceptance. Analysis of language of politicians, business and community leaders - group members identify patterns.
- The unconscious mind. Understanding and using it in thinking, speaking and understanding. Examples of word forms which impact powerfully on others - parts of speech - sequences - patterns. Practical exercises to persuade each other.
Afternoon: Language - conscious
- The limitations of language. Research shows which common word types can create misunderstanding. Identifying and handling ambiguity and misuse of words in practical situations - examples and practice.
- Word sequence. How to identify and match the characteristics of other people in the selection of the ideas behind the words, and the sequence of the ideas as they are expressed.
Day 2
Morning: Non-verbal communication
- Non-verbal communication. How people unintentionally signal their thoughts with such things as movement, colour change, tonal change, breathing, perspiration and silence. How to read another person's non-verbal signals - demonstration and practice to achieve accuracy.
- The phenomenon of matched behaviour - when it can be observed - how it can be introduced - its effects and role in improving understanding and co-operation. Practice at matching behaviour, and exploration of its effects.
- Combining matched behaviour with explanations and requests to test its role - applications at meetings, and with difficult individuals.
Afternoon: Are we really rational?
- Beliefs, patterns, rules. How we seek to make sense of our experiences to understand and predict behaviour - a process which usually creates few benefits and many problems. Case studies. Analysis of examples from our own experience.
- The ABCD model - our feelings and reactions are largely created by our belief systems, rather than the events around us, or by the actions of other people. How this affects issues such as control and responsibility.
- Beliefs and expectations. How many people are barely rational, and the effect this has. What to do about irrational beliefs, both ours, and those of other people.
- Ethics in communication.
Course Arrangements
The program is usually run in-house, where the emphasis on the various sections is adjusted to meet an organisation's specific wishes.