Excelling in any sport requires mastering the fundamentals, and the same is true of interpersonal communication skills. While the context of communication situations varies, there are certain fundamental skills that all effective communicators master, including the ability to defuse arguments, overcome doubts, and reach agreement.

Based on the premise that the best communicators take 100 percent responsibility for understanding what others are saying and 100 percent responsibility for making themselves understood, this online course defines the communication techniques called for in different situations. Using a combination of clear explanations and scenarios based on actual workplace situations, the course teaches the practical skills that are essential for becoming an effective communicator and achieving professional success.

TARGET AUDIENCE:
Business Professionals

TIME TO COMPLETE:
120 minutes

PURPOSE:
To teach individuals the fundamental skills of interpersonal communication that are essential for personal and professional success.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After completing this course, the learner will be able to:

• identify the basic principles of effective interpersonal communication that are essential for personal and professional success;
• avoid and defuse arguments by using appropriate communication skills;
• employ techniques for softening one's demeanor in an effort to become a more effective communicator;
• recognize and apply proactive modes of communication, including the Explanation Model, the Agreement Model, and the Closure Model; and
• recognize and apply reactive modes of communication, including the Query Model, the Reservation/Doubt Model, and the Question/Confusion/Conflict Model.

TOPICS COVERED:

1. Why Interpersonal Communication Skills Matter
2. The Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication
3. Avoiding and Defusing Arguments
4. Adopting SOFTENING Techniques
5. Using Proactive Modes of Communication
6. Using Reactive Modes of Communication

ACCREDITATION
HR CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE
This program has been approved for 2.0 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
(The use of this seal is not an endorsement by the HR Certification Institute of the quality of this program. It means that this program has met the HR Certification Institute's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit.)