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Diane Spiegel

The workplace is more diverse than ever before. As the world population grows and our connectivity increases, it is common to work alongside colleagues from different generations, life experiences, cultures, genders, orientations, and religions. The increased diversity coupled with the shift toward remote and hybrid work environments means it's more critical than ever to develop appropriate communication strategies and practices. This course will teach you to identify and adapt your own communication style to not only increase team productivity, but also build bridges with colleagues from all backgrounds.

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The workplace is more diverse than ever before. As the world population grows and our connectivity increases, it is common to work alongside colleagues from different generations, life experiences, cultures, genders, orientations, and religions. The increased diversity coupled with the shift toward remote and hybrid work environments means it's more critical than ever to develop appropriate communication strategies and practices. This course will teach you to identify and adapt your own communication style to not only increase team productivity, but also build bridges with colleagues from all backgrounds.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1.Identify your own communication style

2. Describe methods to increase effective communication

3. Discuss how changing demographics affect workplace communication

4. Differentiate between the five working generations and their communication preferences

5. Identify the communication benefits of different work environments, such as in-person, virtual, or hybrid

6. Discuss effective techniques for communicating with a diverse workforce

7. Implement a flexing communication strategy to better communicate with one’s workplace team

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What's inside

Syllabus

Your Communication Preferences
Welcome to Communication in the 21st Century Workplace! Communication in the 21st century is compounded by many changes: an increase in the world population, an increase in connectivity through technology, and advances in science and medicine. A strategy to become a more effective communicator in this changing world is to first understand where your communication style and preferences reside and how you “show up” in the workplace. This first module will focus on how you gain your energy, how you take in information, how you make decisions, and how you prefer the pace of your life. Through our activity, we will reflect on the MBTI assessment and strengths of individual styles. In our knowledge check, we will define what the four categories of MBTI are as well as identify methods to increase effective communication.
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Managing Communication Change Drivers
Many factors affect 21st century workplace communication, including technological advances, the increase of remote/hybrid work options, as well as an increasingly multiethnic and multigenerational workforce. In this module, we’ll explore each of these communication change drivers and focus our discussion on how changing demographics affect workplace communication. In our knowledge check, we will differentiate between the five working generations and select the communication benefits of different work environments.
Flexing Communication
Landing your message with clarity and impact is a hallmark of effective communication. When we tailor our messages to accommodate others' styles, to meet others where they reside, it creates more effective communication that doesn't require clarification. Flexing your style also supports our ability to collaborate. In this module, we will use our discussion to implement a flexing communication strategy to better communicate with one’s workplace team. In our knowledge check, we will recognize the benefits of flexing communication and recall strategies to improve communication.
Enhancing Communications
The A.B.I.D.E. model was created to support effective communication and as a reminder of the elements needed for clear, flexible communication and collaboration in the 21st century. The five behaviors overviewed in this module will provide ongoing support and guidance in your workplace communication. In this module's discussion, we will consider which A.B.I.D.E. element could improve communication on your current team. In our final knowledge check, we will name each element of A.B.I.D.E. and articulate how the A.B.I.D.E. model can improve communication.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores communication in the workplace, which is relevant in both academic and professional settings
Develops skills in adapting communication style to bridge gaps with diverse colleagues
Taught by Diane Spiegel, who has expertise in workplace communication
Uses the A.B.I.D.E. model, which provides guidance for effective workplace communication
Provides strategies for communicating with colleagues from different generations
Examines the effects of changing demographics on workplace communication

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Reviews summary

Mixed reviews for communication skills course

According to students, this communication course gets mixed reviews. While some students highly recommend the course, others struggled to apply skills learned to their own work. Despite this, students largely agree that the course provides learners with new knowledge in communication that they may not have otherwise acquired.
Many students find that this course taught them new communication skills.
"I never knew there was so much more to learn in communication!"
"I'm excited about my new knowledge and can't wait to share it with my trainees!"
Some learners find that the instructor does not practice communication skills learned in class.
"The teacher doesn't apply the techniques she teaches, ie: talks too fast and doesn't use 'eye' contact with the camera."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Communication in the 21st Century Workplace with these activities:
Identify a mentor who can provide guidance on managing communication in diverse workplaces
Finding a mentor who can share their experiences and provide guidance on managing communication in diverse workplaces can give you valuable insights and support as you develop your own communication strategies.
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  • Identify potential mentors who are experienced in managing communication in diverse workplaces
  • Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in their guidance
  • Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss your challenges and progress
Review the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment and your personal results
Reviewing the MBTI assessment and understanding your personal results will give you a solid foundational understanding of your communication style and preferences.
Show steps
  • Take the MBTI assessment to identify your communication preferences
  • Research the different communication styles identified by the MBTI
  • Reflect on how your communication style impacts your workplace interactions
Attend a networking event focused on communication or workplace diversity
Attending a networking event focused on communication or workplace diversity will allow you to connect with others who share your interests and gain new perspectives on these topics.
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Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Attend a workshop on effective communication in hybrid work environments
Participating in a workshop on effective communication in hybrid work environments will help you learn best practices for communicating with colleagues in various settings.
Browse courses on Effective Communication
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Develop a presentation on the importance of effective communication in the workplace
Creating a presentation on the importance of effective communication in the workplace will help you synthesize your learnings and develop your communication skills.
Browse courses on Effective Communication
Show steps
  • Research the benefits of effective workplace communication
  • Develop a presentation outline
  • Create presentation slides
  • Practice delivering your presentation
  • Present to your colleagues or classmates
Create a communication style inventory for your workplace team
Compiling a communication style inventory for your workplace team will help you identify the different communication styles present on your team and develop strategies for communicating effectively with each other.
Browse courses on Workplace Communication
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  • Survey team members about their preferred communication styles
  • Compile the results of the survey into a communication style inventory
  • Share the inventory with the team and discuss how to use it to improve communication
Develop a communication plan for a specific workplace project
Developing a communication plan for a specific workplace project will help you practice tailoring your communication style to meet the needs of different audiences and stakeholders.
Browse courses on Communication Plan
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  • Identify the communication goals for the project
  • Determine the target audience for each communication
  • Develop a communication strategy that includes a variety of communication channels
  • Create a communication schedule
  • Implement the communication plan and monitor its effectiveness
Participate in a communication competition or hackathon
Participating in a communication competition or hackathon will challenge you to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively under pressure.
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Career center

Learners who complete Communication in the 21st Century Workplace will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Communication Specialist
Communication Specialists are responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies. The material covered in this course will help inform these strategies.
Human Resource Manager
Human Resource departments today must be able to navigate a diverse workforce. This includes understanding communication styles as well as the changing dynamics of working styles, such as remote hybrid work.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant
A solid understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion is imperative to this role. This course will help you build a strong foundation in these areas.
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Diversity and Inclusion Managers are charged with improving equity and inclusion in organizations. This course can help you to understand the nuances of diversity, equity, and inclusion so you can be more successful.
Public relations manager
Public Relations involves communicating with a variety of stakeholders. This course will help you build the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
Chief Diversity Officer
A Chief Diversity Officer's role is to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are key considerations when making decisions that impact the workplace. This course will help strengthen your knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Intercultural Communication Specialist
Intercultural communication can be very complex to navigate. With an increasingly diverse workforce, an Intercultural Communication Specialist will need to understand how different generations and cultures styles impact overall communication. By taking this course, you will be able to better understand these complexities and be able to bridge communication gaps.
Equity and Inclusion Officer
An understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion is paramount to this role. This course will provide you with a strong understanding of the material.
Organizational Development Manager
Organizational Development Managers focus on improving the overall effectiveness of an organization. This course will help give you the tools needed to enhance employee communication and engagement.
Organizational Culture Consultant
Communication is key in helping shape an organization's culture. This course will strengthen your knowledge of this.
Consultant
This course will help you to develop stronger communication skills and understand how to connect with individuals from various backgrounds.
Cross-Cultural Trainer
An understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion is paramount to this role. This course will provide you with a strong understanding of the material.
Learning and Development Manager
Understanding communication styles and preferences of employees can help inform your decisions as a Learning and Development Manager as you work to provide employees with the resources they need to be successful.
Corporate Trainer
This course will help Corporate Trainers understand the best way to train and communicate information with a diverse group of employees. Corporate Trainers may also use the ABIDE model to improve employee communications.
Business Analyst
This course may help you with building the communication skills needed to be successful.

Reading list

We've selected 38 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Communication in the 21st Century Workplace.
Is written by the same instructor as the course and provides a practical guide to adapting communication styles in a diverse workplace.
Discusses the importance of flexibility and effective adaptation of communication styles for engaging with people different cultural backgrounds.
Provides a comprehensive overview of intercultural communication, covering topics such as culture and communication, nonverbal communication, and intercultural conflict. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about communicating effectively across cultures.
Provides a practical framework for understanding and navigating cultural differences in the workplace. It valuable resource for business professionals who work with people from different cultures.
This handbook provides practical guidance on how to communicate effectively in cross-cultural settings. It covers topics such as cultural differences in communication styles, nonverbal communication, and negotiation.
Provides practical guidance on how to navigate difficult conversations effectively. It covers topics such as preparing for difficult conversations, managing emotions, and finding common ground.
Provides insights into the role of emotional intelligence in effective communication. It covers topics such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy.
Provides insights into cultural differences in communication styles and business practices. It offers practical advice for navigating cross-cultural interactions and building effective relationships.
Provides a comprehensive overview of intercultural communication in the workplace, including challenges and opportunities.
Introduces the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a framework for communicating with empathy and compassion. It provides tools for expressing feelings, needs, and requests in a way that fosters connection and understanding.
Provides a framework for having crucial conversations in a way that minimizes conflict and promotes understanding. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills in high-stakes situations.
Offers a comprehensive overview of intercultural communication, providing a foundation for understanding the challenges and opportunities of communicating across cultures. It explores topics such as cultural identity, nonverbal communication, and conflict resolution.
Provides techniques for effective communication in challenging situations or with difficult people, which is particularly valuable in the context of diverse and potentially conflict-prone workplace environments.
Provides a parable about a team that is struggling to overcome its dysfunctions. It valuable resource for team leaders who want to improve their team's performance.
Offers a spiritual perspective on communication, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and compassion. It provides insights on how to listen deeply, speak truthfully, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Provides an overview of emotional intelligence and its importance in the workplace. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills and emotional intelligence.
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Provides insights into what motivates people to work hard. It valuable resource for managers who want to create a more motivated and productive workplace.
Provides tips on how to develop presence and confidence in the workplace. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills and make a positive impression on others.
This book, while not directly focused on communication, provides insights into the challenges of adapting to change and embracing innovation, which can be valuable for navigating the evolving communication landscape.
Provides a framework for personal and professional development. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their communication skills and achieve their goals.
Provides an overview of introversion and its strengths. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand and appreciate the unique contributions of introverts in the workplace.
Provides a guide to power and influence. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand and navigate the dynamics of power in the workplace.
Provides a research-based approach to happiness and success. It covers topics such as the power of positive thinking, the importance of relationships, and the benefits of exercise.
Provides a guide to political power. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand and navigate the dynamics of power, especially in a workplace.
Provides a guide to military strategy. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand and navigate the dynamics of conflict and competition in the workplace.
Provides a framework for understanding disruptive innovation. It covers topics such as the characteristics of disruptive innovations, the challenges of responding to disruptive innovations, and the importance of disruptive innovations for long-term success.
Provides a practical guide to developing and implementing good strategy. It covers topics such as the elements of good strategy, the challenges of developing good strategy, and the importance of good strategy for success.
Presents a parable about the challenges of building effective teams, offering insights into the importance of trust, accountability, and conflict resolution.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It covers topics such as the principles of lean thinking, the importance of customer validation, and the benefits of iterative development.
Provides a practical guide to managing a startup. It covers topics such as the challenges of hiring, firing, and fundraising.

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