Building the Communication Bridge

Objective - To help individuals learn the essentials of effective face-to-face conversations
Intended For - Individuals at all levels
Time Required - One day or two half days
Each Game Trains - Up to 20 participants

The more we know about ourselves as speakers and listeners, the better able we are to build the “communication bridge” that allows us to send, receive, and interpret messages with ease. Building the Communication Bridge helps to provide that needed insight. Complete and ready-to-train, the workshop focuses on the basic speaking and listening skills needed for successful face-to-face interactions.

Using a combination of experiential tools such as learning instruments, activities, and hands-on games, participants discover how their roles and styles as speakers and listeners drive the communication process and practice the skills that enable them to improve everyday communication.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify personal styles of communication
• Develop strategies for communicating with people of different styles
• Understand the behaviors that distinguish receptive listeners
• Determine which listening behaviors are representative of one’s communication style
• Learn how to use speaking and listening skills in a variety of organizational communication situations

Theory
 
Building the Communication Bridge is based on a model of the communication process that accounts for the connections that link Speakers and Listeners during the communication process. The Speaker's and Listener's perceptions of the Environment, Values, and Relationships influence their use of verbal and nonverbal behaviors during their conversation. When the Speaker's and the Listener's perceptions overlap, the flow of information is smooth and understanding is easily achieved. However, when there are differing perceptions in any of these three categories, there is a greater likelihood of miscommunication.

How It Works
 
The workshop gives participants a well-rounded learning experience, balancing facilitator instruction with private reflection and group interaction. Through a combination of learning instruments, activities, and hands-on games, participants gain insight and practice communication skills. The session culminates with action planning — helping participants to apply the learning to future work-related face-to-face conversations.

Uses for Building the Communication Bridge
 
Building the Communication Bridge is appropriate for individuals at any organizational level. Although the concepts presented are basic, even experienced communicators can gain significant insights into how they communicate with others.

The workshop’s flexible training design allows facilitators to present Building the Communication Bridge in one day or 2 half-days, or combine the workshop with other training sessions to create an expanded learning experience.

What to Order/Product Contents
 
To get started, order one Facilitator Kit per trainer and one Participant Guide per participant. Participant Guides are sold separately. For larger groups, order additional Participant Guides and facilitator support materials.

   Facilitator Kit includes:

• Facilitator Guide
• Support materials to train up to 20 participants
• Tote Bag

   Facilitator Guide includes:

• Administrative guidelines
• Theoretical background
• 2 learning instruments
• Description of the Communication Bridge
• Description of the Listening Model
• Validity
• Normative data
• Participant Guide pages incorporated into the Facilitator Guide
• Experiential learning methodology
• Alternative training designs
• Blank training outline
• CD-ROM containing Microsoft^® PowerPoint^® presentation and reproducible masters, including a Certificate of Achievement, Training Evaluation, and overhead transparency masters

   Participant Guide includes:

• Two (2) communication self-evaluations with pressure-sensitive response forms
• Interpretation of evaluation results
• Description of the Communication Bridge
• Description of the Listening Model
• Self-reflection questions and skill practice activities
• Action planning