There are two fundamental kinds of communication that take place among people in all work settings: those that promote connectedness (intimate), and those that serve to get things accomplished (strategic or task-oriented).  One way of communicating emphasizes mutuality and interest in knowing the other more –

“I like or care about you as another human being.” The other involves the use of hierarchical power or influence in the service of getting things done – “This has to be done this way in this time frame.”  All communication requires the right balance of both, and many difficulties in working with others result from not finding that balance.  

Through lectures, videotapes, demonstrations, and practica, you will learn a powerful model for improving relationships in the organizational setting.  You will heighten your awareness of how you use these two interaction modes, and see how difficulties in relationships are often a function of inadequate use of one of the modes.  You will have multiple opportunities to practice how to use both modes in a balanced or integrated way.  There will also be time to explore your own specific experiences.

Participants will:

• Learn to distinguish and utilize both styles of interaction, thereby increasing the effectiveness of their communication.

• Gain insight into where and why they experience difficulty in working with certain colleagues or clients, and improve their communication skills with those people.

• Understand and appreciate their own communication style and preferences, and become more flexible in their ability to balance attending to task and attending to relationship.

• Increase their ability to hold difficult conversations with others.

Anyone seeking to improve their ability to manage relationships in a professional setting, whether as a coach, consultant, executive or manager.