Communication and Collaboration: Getting Rid of the Noise

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Good communication is essential to effective collaboration. Yet communication is rarely as simple as saying something and having another person understand exactly what we intended. Differences in perception, communication methods, non-verbal cues and workplace “noise” can contribute to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, conflict and lost productivity.

This interactive, experiential workshop explores how communication actually works and the shared responsibility of sender and receiver. Participants examine their own communication habits, identify sources of noise, and develop practical strategies for communicating more effectively with colleagues, teams and stakeholders.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Individuals who want to strengthen their workplace communication skills
• Teams looking to improve communication and collaboration
• Employees who communicate with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Teams experiencing misunderstandings, communication barriers or workplace change
• Anyone who wants to communicate difficult or sensitive information more effectively

YOU WILL LEARN:

• How the communication process works
• How words, actions and non-verbal communication influence perception
• How to recognize and mitigate different types of communication noise
• How to communicate difficult or controversial information more effectively
• How first impressions influence communication and relationships
• How to adapt communication methods to different audiences and stakeholder needs

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction

• Setting objectives and intentions
• Exploring the foundations of play and how we learn
• Easing into experiential work

How Communication Works

• Exploring how and why we communicate
• Understanding encoding, transmission, decoding and feedback
• Examining the responsibilities of sender and receiver
• Recognizing the difference between sending a message and creating understanding

Getting Rid of the Noise

• Identifying different types and sources of communication noise
• Exploring how assumptions and perceptions interfere with communication
• Recognizing where communication breaks down
• Developing strategies to reduce misunderstanding and improve clarity

Adapting Communication

• Recognizing that effective communication is not one-size-fits-all
• Adapting communication style and methods to stakeholder needs
• Communicating difficult or controversial information
• Choosing communication approaches that support understanding and collaboration

More Than Words

• Exploring the power of non-verbal communication
• Understanding how words and actions influence perception
• Examining first impressions and how they are formed
• Increasing awareness of the messages we communicate unintentionally

Communication and Collaboration

• Connecting effective communication to effective teamwork
• Exploring shared responsibility for understanding
• Strengthening communication with colleagues and stakeholders
• Applying communication strategies to workplace situations

Developing the Action Plan

• Identifying individual communication strengths and opportunities
• Selecting strategies to reduce communication noise
• Establishing practical communication commitments
• Turning learning into workplace action

Summary and Evaluations

• Review of key learning
• Final reflections and commitments
• Workshop evaluation

METHODS TO BE USED

This workshop is highly interactive and uses Play-Doh Power Solutions, a hands-on experiential learning methodology that combines tactile creation, colour, metaphor, reflection and facilitated discussion. Participants take part in individual and collaborative exercises that make communication processes, perceptions and barriers visible and provide opportunities to practice communicating in different ways.

Communication theory and research are combined with experiential activities, workplace discussion, reflection and action planning so participants can immediately connect the learning to their own communication and collaboration practices.