Communication: Connect Through Conversations from edX

NOTE: This is a live classroom held via Zoom. You can choose from any of these date and time options:

February 3, 2025 from 4-8pm EDTor
July 24, 2025 from 5-9pm EDT

__Attendees must be present for the entire 4 hours of their course_

In Communication: Connect Through Conversations, learners recognize that they can enhance their emotional intelligence by balancing “heart” and “head” in their tough conversations. They can address the heart by considering and responding to others’ feelings; they can engage the head by guiding conversations toward the desired business outcomes. Through high energy activities, videos, and discussions, leaders learn flexible communication skills that will help them balance heart and head in all types of conversations, whether communicating face to face, by phone, or remotely.

What's inside

Learning objectives

At the end of this workshop, the learner will be able to:
Conduct conversations that achieve your intended business goals.
Communicate and respond in ways that meet the unique personal needs of team members and others.

Recognize and react to emotions (yours and others’) present in work situations.
Use a technique to provide meaningful, supportive feedback.

At the end of this workshop, the learner will be able to:
Conduct conversations that achieve your intended business goals.
Communicate and respond in ways that meet the unique personal needs of team members and others.
Recognize and react to emotions (yours and others’) present in work situations.
Use a technique to provide meaningful, supportive feedback.

Syllabus

Outside looking inside

EQ and insights

Leading with heart

Gaining more insight

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops flexible communication skills applicable across various communication modes, including face-to-face, phone, and remote interactions, which is essential for modern workplaces

Teaches techniques to balance emotional considerations with business objectives, which is crucial for effective leadership and team collaboration

Explores methods for delivering meaningful and supportive feedback, which is a key component of fostering a positive and productive work environment

Requires attendance for the entire four- duration, which may pose a scheduling challenge for some working professionals

Examines emotional intelligence and its role in leadership, which is a valuable skill for navigating complex workplace dynamics

Reviews summary

Practical communication skills: balancing heart and head

According to learners, this course provides highly practical skills for professional communication, particularly for navigating difficult conversations and providing constructive feedback. Many found the core framework of balancing the "heart" (emotional intelligence) and the "head" (business outcomes) to be insightful and immediately applicable to their work. The live, interactive Zoom format is often cited as a strength, allowing for engaging discussions and activities, although some noted the 4-hour session felt concise given the depth of the topic. Overall, students report gaining valuable tools and strategies to improve their interactions.

Short session, packed with information.

"The 4-hour format felt a bit short given the amount of valuable information covered."

"While concise, the session was very efficient and packed a lot in."

"I wished there was more time to practice some of the techniques during the live session."

Engaging and beneficial interaction.

"The live session format via Zoom was great; the discussions and activities were very engaging."

"I appreciated the opportunity to interact with others and practice the concepts in real-time."

"The instructor did a good job facilitating the live session and keeping participants involved."

Useful framework for balanced communication.

"The idea of balancing 'heart' and 'head' is a simple yet powerful model for understanding communication."

"It really helped me think about how to address both the emotional and logical aspects of a conversation."

"I found the 'heart' vs 'head' framework insightful for approaching challenging discussions."

Improved ability to handle tough talks.

"I feel much more prepared to handle difficult conversations after this course."

"The techniques for providing feedback were particularly valuable and easy to implement."

"It provided concrete strategies for navigating sensitive and challenging discussions effectively."

Skills are highly relevant and applicable.

"The concepts and techniques taught are immediately applicable to my work conversations."

"I can see myself using these strategies in my daily interactions with colleagues and clients."

"This course gave me practical tools I could start using right away in difficult situations."

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: Connect Through Conversations with these activities:

Review 'Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High'

Show steps

Prepare for the course by understanding the principles of effective communication in high-stakes situations.

View Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Crucial Conversations'.
Read the book, focusing on key concepts.
Reflect on how to apply these concepts.

Review Emotional Intelligence Concepts

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Strengthen your understanding of emotional intelligence, a core component of effective communication.

Browse courses on Emotional Intelligence

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Research the definition of emotional intelligence.
Identify the key components of EQ.
Reflect on your own EQ strengths.

Practice Active Listening with a Partner

Show steps

Improve your active listening skills through practical exercises with a partner.

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Find a partner to practice with.
Take turns being the speaker and listener.
Provide constructive feedback to each other.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Journaling: Reflect on Past Conversations

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Analyze past conversations to identify areas for improvement in your communication style.

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Choose a recent conversation to reflect on.
Describe the conversation and your role.
Identify what went well and what could be improved.

Develop a Communication Improvement Plan

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Create a personalized plan to enhance your communication skills based on course learnings.

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Identify specific communication goals.
Outline strategies to achieve those goals.
Establish metrics to track your progress.

Prepare a Presentation on 'Head and Heart' Feedback

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Solidify your understanding of feedback techniques by creating a presentation to share with others.

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Research the 'Head and Heart' feedback model.
Create a presentation outlining the model.
Practice delivering the presentation.

Review 'Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life'

Show steps

Expand your communication skills by learning about nonviolent communication principles.

View The Nonviolent Communication Book of Quotes on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Nonviolent Communication'.
Read the book, focusing on the four components.
Practice applying NVC in your daily interactions.

Career center

Learners who complete Communication: Connect Through Conversations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Counselor

A Counselor provides guidance and support to individuals, and this course emphasizes effective communication that is crucial to therapeutic practices. The requirements of the role are to encourage emotional processing and guide personal growth, frequently through active listening and thoughtful conversation. The course's focus on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ helps those in this role address the emotions and needs of others, while guiding conversations toward positive outcomes. The methods taught in this course around responding to emotions, and giving meaningful feedback, are of direct benefit to counselors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Coach

A Coach works with individuals to help them achieve their personal and professional goals, making this course extremely relevant to the role. This role requires strong communication skills to motivate, provide guidance, and offer constructive feedback. The course's teaching on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ in communication enables coaches to address the emotional needs of their clients while keeping them focused on achieving objectives. The concepts of actively responding to emotions, and providing meaningful feedback, covered in the course, will improve a coach's ability to support and guide their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Coach

Mediator

A Mediator facilitates discussions between disputing parties, and this course is well-suited for this career. This role requires deep communication skills to understand the needs of individuals and guide conversations toward resolution and positive outcomes. The course's focus on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ in communication helps mediators address the emotional needs of parties and guide conversations toward mutually agreeable solutions. The skills of responding to emotions and providing meaningful feedback, which are covered in the course, are essential for successful mediation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mediator

Team Lead

A Team Lead is responsible for guiding their team to success, often through clear and effective communication, and this course will improve their ability to do so. This role requires a balance of empathy and direction, meaning Team Leads should be able to address the emotional needs of their team members while also ensuring business objectives are met. The course’s teaching on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ provides team leaders tools with which to manage conversations in the workplace. The course’s methods will provide direct value to those in this role.

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Social Worker

A Social Worker provides support and resources to individuals and communities, which this course may help them do more effectively. This role requires deep communication skills to understand the needs of those individuals and connect them with resources. The course's focus on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ in conversations helps social workers address emotional needs while navigating complex situations. The course's modules on responding to emotions, and providing meaningful feedback, are useful for those who want to do well in this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Nonprofit Program Coordinator

A Nonprofit Program Coordinator is frequently responsible for communicating with various stakeholders, and this course is a good option for those looking to improve. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively, empathetically, and persuasively, enabling coordinators to engage with volunteers and community members. The course's focus on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ in communication is particularly valuable, allowing program coordinators to address the needs of others while also furthering the organization's mission. The skills covered in the course around responding to emotions and providing meaningful feedback are also important for success.

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Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget, frequently by having difficult conversations with individuals of various team makeups. This role requires strong communication skills to manage stakeholders and lead team members effectively. The course's focus on engaging the ‘head’ by guiding conversations toward business outcomes will help project managers ensure projects stay on track. The course will also help project managers navigate emotionally charged situations that can arise when managing complex projects, by providing methods for responding to the needs and concerns of others, a skill set that's covered in the 'outside looking inside' module.

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Account Manager

An Account Manager needs to build and maintain relationships with clients, and this course may improve their ability to do so. This role requires strong communication skills to understand client needs, build trust, and guide conversations towards favorable outcomes for both the client and the company. The course's focus on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ in communication is crucial for account managers, enabling them to address client concerns with empathy while still promoting business objectives. The course's emphasis on responding to emotions and providing meaningful feedback is also quite helpful.

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Recruiter

A Recruiter needs to effectively communicate with potential candidates, and this course will enhance their ability to do so. This role requires the ability to build rapport with candidates, understand their needs and experiences, and guide conversations toward a positive outcome, namely an offer. The course’s instruction of balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ in communication enables recruiters to address candidates’ emotions while guiding the process towards business goals. The course's modules on responding to emotions, and providing feedback, make this a good fit for the position.

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Human Resources Partner

A Human Resources Partner must be adept at handling sensitive conversations, and this course may be useful for those looking to excel in this area. This role involves mediating conflicts, providing feedback, and fostering a positive work environment by understanding and responding to employee needs. The course, with its emphasis on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ in communication, helps practitioners address interpersonal issues and guide conversations toward desired outcomes. The course’s learning objective of recognizing and reacting to emotions can be especially impactful in this role. The focus on meaningful feedback also makes this a good fit for the position.

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Management Consultant

A Management Consultant regularly engages in conversations with clients and stakeholders, so this course is useful for them. This role involves advising organizations on how to improve their performance, often through analyzing complex problems, requiring the consultant to navigate discussions with clients. The course's emphasis on balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ may improve a consultant's ability to both understand a client's needs and guide discussions toward solutions that align with their business goals. The course's practice in responding to emotions and providing meaningful feedback will also be helpful.

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Customer Success Manager

A Customer Success Manager works to ensure clients are satisfied, and this course may aid the ability to do just that. This role requires a high level of communication skills in order to not just meet the needs of customers, but also to understand their concerns and build long-term partnerships. The course’s activities, videos, and discussions are intended to teach learners how to balance 'heart' and 'head' when communicating with others. This is especially relevant to customer success, as it enables professionals to be both understanding and effective in resolving issues. These methods support the objectives of customer-focused professionals.

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Public Relations Specialist

A Public Relations Specialist works to maintain a positive public image for their organization, and this course may be useful in achieving this. This role requires excellent communication skills to manage messaging, interact with the media, and respond to public needs. The course’s instruction in balancing ‘heart’ and ‘head’ when communicating with others helps public relations specialists navigate sensitive situations and craft messages that resonate with people while still promoting business goals. The course's emphasis on understanding and responding to emotions can be very beneficial.

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Sales Representative

A Sales Representative needs to effectively communicate with potential clients, and this course may prove useful in enhancing this skill. This role requires the ability to build rapport, understand client needs, and guide conversations towards closing deals. The course’s learning objectives for responding to emotions, and providing meaningful feedback, as well as being able to balance ‘heart’ and ‘head’, all help sales representatives connect with clients and achieve their sales targets. The skills around leading with 'heart', as covered in the course, may be especially advantageous in sales, because this skill set promotes trust and understanding.

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Training and Development Specialist

A Training and Development Specialist designs and delivers training programs, and they might benefit from taking this course. This role requires excellent communication skills to facilitate learning and engage participants. The course's focus on communication and emotional intelligence can greatly enhance the ability of a training specialist to connect with learners. By learning to balance ‘heart’ and ‘head,’ specialists can create more impactful and engaging training sessions. The course's modules on responding to emotions, and providing feedback, help those in these roles improve their ability to communicate and connect with others.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Specialist

Communication

Connect Through Conversations

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical communication skills: balancing heart and head

Activities

Career center

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