Many people suppress their own feelings, needs and wants because they’re not sure how to go about expressing them without upsetting others. Some people express them too forcefully. The outcome in both cases is always unsatisfactory to one, if not both, parties.

It is possible to ask for what you want, let people know how you feel, and say no if necessary without being pushy or aggressive. The key is learning to be assertive.

Assertive people communicate in a way that is clear, open and respectful of other people, ensuring they enjoy healthy, positive relationships - both at work and at home.

This course teaches you the fundamental skills and attitudes you need to enjoy the many benefits of being more assertive.

Thursday, 28 March 2013 12:35

Phone Finesse

We would be lost without our phones and yet most of us do not use them effectively or efficiently. When leaving a message most people are not clear and succinct. They often don’t even mention important information such as their name!  When speaking to the person they called, they do not introduce themselves properly and do not get to the point of the call, wasting the recipient’s time and causing frustration and irritation. Often they do not even realise the poor impression they are creating.

In this course you will learn how to use the phone with finesse and create a positive impression of yourself and/or your organisation or company.

Published in Phone Finesse

Some people define diplomacy as the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip. I don’t call this being diplomatic - I call it being assertive!

Whether you are dealing with patients, clients or colleagues, HOW you communicate ultimately determines whether your relationship is clear, open and honest - or fraught with tension, misunderstanding and arguments.

In this talk I explain what it means to communicate assertively, why this is beneficial and how to achieve this kind of relationship with your patients, clients and colleagues.

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 09:03

Face up to Feedback

It can be difficult, when asked to give feedback, to know how to be constructive and honest without leaving the other person feeling demoralised. Some people build others up with positive feedback, while some break them down with destructive criticism. What do you do?

Knowing how to give feedback that is motivating and inspiring is critical if we want to develop children and adults who have high self–esteem, and will realise their full potential. It is important to learn how to give (and receive) feedback in a way that is positive, and which leaves both parties feeling good about themselves, and clear on where they stand.

Published in Face up to Feedback
Tuesday, 26 March 2013 12:23

Mastering the Art of Conversation

Learning how to converse well and easily with others gives people more confidence when handling both business and social events. Mastering this skill - either one-on-one or conversations in small groups - is thus an important life skill.

In this talk, I cover the fundamentals of what it really means to be a good conversationalist, how to make effective introductions in order to ease the way for others, and (for emergencies) how to escape from the boring individual who insists on dominating your attention. We also touch on non-verbal (body) language.

Monday, 25 March 2013 12:40

Body Language for Confidence

Have you ever looked enviously at someone who has presence - that enigmatic, 'can’t-quite-put-your-finger-on-it' quality - and wished you could have it too? Have you ever wondered why people just don’t respond well to you? Are you having trouble getting your message across?

Perhaps the answer lies more with how you’re saying something, than what you’re actually saying.

This talk will help you be more aware of the message you’re actually giving beyond the words you’re saying, and show you how to use your voice and body language to appear confident and have presence.

Monday, 25 March 2013 11:59

Relate

This refers to the way in which you relate to others. By learning essential communication and interpersonal skills, you will radically enhance your relationships with others. 

To help you do this you can:

Published in YOU-Q
Wednesday, 20 March 2013 12:56

Conflict to Co-Operation

No matter how similar people are, we are all unique. There will always be some ideas, issues, situations etc. on which we disagree. This is to be expected. Conflict in itself is not bad. Knowing how to deal with it, is what counts. If we know how to cope with conflict, we will learn to be less fearful of it, and so not try to avoid it. This creates healthier, more harmonious relationships.

In this talk I focus on the fundamental skills and attitudes you need to deal with conflict and understand that, contrary to popular belief, dealing with disagreement or conflict is far more important to a relationship than not having disagreement or conflict at all.

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