Developing Effective Communication Skills

SUMMARY
In the beginning of the programme we will introduce basic principles of transactional analysis, namely ego states, life positions, transactions and psychological games. Participants will practice I messages, strokes, sandwich messages and reframing. Participants will deepen their understanding of conflicts and build conflict management skills. The training will be round up with integration of communication skills, interesting role plays and exercises.

OBJECTIVES
Course aims at developing effective communication skills of participants in their workplace through identification and understanding of shortcomings in communication process. By the end of the course participants will have a substantial understanding of psychological dynamics in communication process. Furthermore, they will develop powerful communication skills in order to overcome barriers in communication process and to support their managing role. Participants will be able to manage conflicts better and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

PROGRAMME DAY-BY-DAY

DAY 1
Introductory meeting, explanation of practical arrangements, presentation of timetable, information about course venue.

- Icebreakers.
- Introduction to Transactional analysis (TA), philosophy of TA.
- Introduction to communication: frames of reference, life positions and their role in communication, communication channels, congruency and incongruence in communication.
- Understanding of basic TA concepts in communication: communication model of ego states, transactions, transactional options, diagnosis of ego states.

Cultural evening.

DAY 2
- Analysis of transactions 1: simple and complex transactions, complementary and crossed transactions, 1st rule of communication, role play.
- Analysis of transactions 2: 2nd rule of communication, role play.
- Analysis of transactions 3: Ulterior transactions, 3rd rule of communication, role play.

DAY 3
- Strokes, positive and negative strokes, conditional and unconditional strokes, strokes profile.
- Defining and developing core communication skills including strokes, I messages, sandwich messages, reframing.
- Excursion.

DAY 4
- Introduction to psychological games in TA and their role in communication, powerful questions in games identification.
-Games analysis with Karpman drama triangle.
- Study visit in yoga centre: Role of non-verbal communication.
- Common psychological games in organisational settings, including “Why don’t you/ Yes, but”, “Look how hard I’ve tried”, “I'm only trying to help you”, personal reflection.

DAY 5
- Examples of psychological games, role play.
- Integration of knowledge and skills, transfer of learning to the workplace, peer- supervision.
- Concluding remarks, feedback to the trainer using creativity technique.

DAY 6
- Planning follow up activities, dissemination and implementation of learning outcomes.
- Discussing possibilities for future cooperation among participants.

* Some changes in the programme are possible. The participants will receive the Informational Booklet a few weeks prior to the start of the course.