|
Straight Talk skills can be acquired in a two day workshop, run mainly for corporate groups, or through an executive coaching process.
In coaching, participants examine how their communication style influences the relationships they develop and their personal effectiveness, at work and in their personal lives. They are assisted in planning difficult conversations, with feedback on the outcomes of the conversations.
Each workshop focusses on the conversations that take place in a particular context, for example: managing performance and holding performance appraisal discussions, in handling organisational change and transition; for personal development; and in team development.
A workshop has a number of steps, designed to ensure that participants first understand the Straight Talk principles and steps and then apply them in their own conversations.
1. Conversations which participantsare required to handle more effectively are identified, and generic versions of them are prepared for practical work in training. Click here for sample conversations .
2. The training takes place in a two day workshop, run over 7-10 days. The outcome for the first day is that participants acquire basic skills in speaking up in a variety of contexts and difficult conversations, using a provided flow chart and template.
3. Between days one and two, participants complete a plan for at least one of their own conversations and return it to the trainer for feedback.
4. Day two of the training starts with review of the experiences participants have had in applying their new skills. Problems are discussed and skills are consolidated. The focus in the remainder of the day is on making conversations safe so others can speak up too: listening, acknowledging inputs, using empathy to acknowledge feelings and gaining commitment.
5. Participants are invited to return at least one more conversation plan for feedback after the course. This may be made mandatory.
7. Within 6-8 weeks after training, a one day follow up workshop is held to review the experiences participants have had in using Straight Talk, to discuss successes and problems and to extend their skills. The specific content of the follow-up is customised to suit client requirements. It may include:
- body language and how itis interpreted in the workplace; cultural differences
- how body language conveys anxiety, confidence, and assertiveness
- exercises to identify and express one’s own emotions andgain insight into their effect on others.
- use of StraightTalk skills in groups and meetings.
8. When the training process is complete, senior managers are involved in planning how the use of Straight Talk can be reinforced going forward and how behaviour change can be monitored and evaluated. The research from Influencer, by Kerry Patterson et al, McGraw Hill 2008, is applied in this process.
|
