The professionals who build the strongest working relationships are not the most senior or the most knowledgeable — they are the ones who communicate most clearly. This two-day course builds the practical skills for workplace communication: active listening, clear expression, reading and using body language, and handling difficult conversations with composure and confidence.
Communication styles and self-awareness, active listening and questioning, body language and non-verbal cues, managing difficult conversations and building workplace trust.
Every session runs in a small, boardroom-format group — typically six to eight senior professionals. Your trainer tailors content to the specific industries, organisations and challenges each participant brings, so you work on real situations, not generic examples. The learning combines evidence-based best practice briefings with structured discussions, practical workshops and peer learning. This is training with a coaching and consulting flavour — focused on building skills and producing outputs you can apply in your work immediately.
- Listen actively and respond with empathy in workplace conversations
- Express ideas with clarity and confidence across different settings
- Recognise and adapt your communication style to different situations
- Read and use body language effectively to reinforce your message
- Navigate difficult workplace conversations constructively
- Build trust and rapport through consistent, clear communication
- Manage emotional dynamics in professional conversations with composure
- Give and receive feedback in a way that strengthens working relationships
- Creating positive relationships
- Growing self-awareness and confidence
- Recognising self-defeating talk
- Understanding communication basics
- Identifying common communication barriers
- Asking open and probing questions
- Recognising what is said and what is heard
- Listening actively and responding to feelings
- Understanding non-verbal workplace cues
- Avoiding assumptions and misinterpretation
- Interpreting gestures and posture
- Matching tone, voice and facial expression
- Understanding communication styles and preferences
- Creating a confident and credible self-image
- Recognising cultural and personal differences in non-verbal behaviour
- Preparing for conversations with purpose and clarity
- Using positive intent to manage difficult exchanges
- Delivering messages with clarity and control
- Applying the assertive communication formula
- Handling challenging situations with confidence
Professionals at any level who want to build stronger working relationships through clearer, more effective communication. Particularly valuable for those in roles where collaboration, teamwork and client-facing interaction are central.
The following are some of the ISOC trainers who regularly lead this course, depending whether you join us in London, Dubai or live online.
The two days build progressively, with each module combining briefing, discussion and practical exercises. The small-group format ensures every participant gets individual attention.
Nothing specific is required. If you have a current project or challenge relevant to the course topic, bring it along — the practical exercises can incorporate real-world contexts.
No. Communication patterns are relevant at every level. Many senior participants find the course especially valuable because seniority often masks communication gaps that affect team performance.
Assertiveness focuses specifically on confidence patterns: speaking up, setting limits, handling difficult people. This course covers the broader range of workplace communication skills including listening, body language and professional trust.