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Daniel Moorer
An engineering leader spends a majority of their day interacting with others. Indeed, studies repeatedly point to the impact communication skills have on the ability of managerial leaders to succeed or fail. Too often, individuals move into managerial leadership roles without an awareness of the need to improve in this area. This course focuses on interpersonal skills such as listening, counseling, non-verbals, mentoring, coaching, building trust, and providing feedback.
Read more
An engineering leader spends a majority of their day interacting with others. Indeed, studies repeatedly point to the impact communication skills have on the ability of managerial leaders to succeed or fail. Too often, individuals move into managerial leadership roles without an awareness of the need to improve in this area. This course focuses on interpersonal skills such as listening, counseling, non-verbals, mentoring, coaching, building trust, and providing feedback.
Read more
An engineering leader spends a majority of their day interacting with others. Indeed, studies repeatedly point to the impact communication skills have on the ability of managerial leaders to succeed or fail. Too often, individuals move into managerial leadership roles without an awareness of the need to improve in this area. This course focuses on interpersonal skills such as listening, counseling, non-verbals, mentoring, coaching, building trust, and providing feedback.
This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/fat5rm/communication
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What's inside
Syllabus
The Importance of Effective Communication in Today's Business Environment
This module is an overview of engineering communication and a primer for the topics that will be discussed in this course. As you begin, it is important to remember that communication is the "vehicle" for all human endeavors. That is especially true for technical communication. A exceptional technical communicator is, by default, a better manager and leader. And, in the end, that is where we're headed!
Read more
Syllabus
The Importance of Effective Communication in Today's Business Environment
This module is an overview of engineering communication and a primer for the topics that will be discussed in this course. As you begin, it is important to remember that communication is the "vehicle" for all human endeavors. That is especially true for technical communication. A exceptional technical communicator is, by default, a better manager and leader. And, in the end, that is where we're headed!
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores communication skills essential in managerial roles
Builds foundational communication skills for engineering leaders
Provides credit toward CU Boulder's Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree
Taught by an experienced engineering leader
Covers essential interpersonal skills for engineering leaders
Discussion-based format encourages active learning and knowledge exchange
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Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary
Communication skills for technical leadership
According to learners, this course is a highly practical and transformative experience for technical professionals aiming for leadership roles. Students highlight the immediate applicability of skills such as providing and receiving feedback, building trust, and active listening. The instructor's insights and clear delivery are frequently praised. While most find it engaging and well-structured, a few older reviews suggest some examples could be more specific to tech environments, and some lectures might feel dated or less interactive. Overall, it's considered an excellent foundation, particularly for new or aspiring leaders.
Provides a strong foundation, especially for new leaders.
"For beginners, this would be amazing. For more seasoned leaders, it might be a bit basic, but still a good reinforcement."
"The content is relevant, especially for those new to leadership."
"It's a good starting point, though not comprehensive for advanced strategies."
Instructor delivers content with clarity and valuable insights.
"The instructor's insights were invaluable, making complex topics digestible."
"The instructor delivered the content with clarity and enthusiasm."
"I found the instructor to be highly knowledgeable and engaging throughout the course."
Tailored for technical professionals in leadership roles.
"It perfectly complements the technical skills I already possess."
"This course is tailored perfectly for technical professionals transitioning into managerial roles."
"Every technical professional aiming for leadership should definitely take this."
Provides immediately applicable communication strategies.
"Absolutely transformative! ... I found the modules on 'Providing and Receiving Feedback' and 'Building Trust' to be incredibly practical and immediately applicable to my team dynamics."
"I gained so much practical advice on handling difficult conversations and mentoring my team effectively."
"I've already started applying these techniques at work."
Some lectures were perceived as slow or production dated.
"I found some of the lectures to be a bit dry, and the pace was slow at times."
"Some of the videos felt a little dated. The information is still accurate, but the production quality could be improved."
"While the content is relevant, I felt the delivery could be more dynamic to maintain engagement."
Some examples lack specific technical context or interaction.
"My only minor gripe is that some of the examples felt a bit generic; I would have loved more specific scenarios for a technical environment."
"I wished for more specific scenarios for a technical environment, maybe with more case studies."
"I missed the peer interaction and felt some parts could be more interactive, perhaps with more group discussions."
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 as a Technical Leader with these
activities:
Attend industry conferences on engineering communication
Show steps
Network with professionals and learn about current trends in engineering communication by attending industry conferences.
Show steps
-
Identify and register for relevant conferences.
-
Prepare to actively engage in discussions and networking opportunities.
Practice active listening
Show steps
Build a strong foundation in active listening techniques to enhance comprehension and communication effectiveness.
Show steps
-
Review materials on active listening best practices.
-
Engage in role-playing exercises to practice attentive listening, paraphrasing, and asking clarifying questions.
Participate in a workshop on building trust in organizations
Show steps
Enhance communication and interpersonal skills by participating in a workshop focused on building trust in organizations.
Browse courses on
Trust
Show steps
-
Identify and register for a relevant workshop.
-
Actively participate in discussions and exercises during the workshop.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Explore case studies on communication in engineering
Show steps
Gain insights into real-world communication challenges and successes in engineering by exploring case studies.
Browse courses on
Communication
Show steps
-
Search for and identify relevant case studies.
-
Analyze the communication strategies and outcomes described in the case studies.
Practice providing constructive feedback
Show steps
Enhance communication skills by practicing providing constructive feedback in a structured environment.
Browse courses on
Feedback
Show steps
-
Review principles of effective feedback.
-
Engage in role-playing exercises to provide and receive feedback.
Develop a communication plan
Show steps
Apply course concepts to create a comprehensive communication plan that addresses audience needs and achieves desired outcomes.
Browse courses on
Communication Planning
Show steps
-
Identify communication goals and objectives.
-
Research target audience and communication channels.
-
Develop key messages and a communication timeline.
Create a video tutorial on nonverbal communication
Show steps
Demonstrate understanding of nonverbal cues and their impact on communication by creating a video tutorial that teaches others about this topic.
Browse courses on
Nonverbal Communication
Show steps
-
Gather research and resources on nonverbal communication.
-
Plan and write the script for the video tutorial.
-
Record and edit the video tutorial using appropriate software.
Conduct a mock counseling session
Show steps
Apply counseling techniques and demonstrate empathy and communication skills by conducting a mock counseling session.
Browse courses on
Counseling Skills
Show steps
-
Prepare by reviewing counseling principles and techniques.
-
Establish a safe and supportive environment for the mock session.
-
Practice active listening, empathy, and appropriate responses.
Attend industry conferences on engineering communication
Show steps
Network with professionals and learn about current trends in engineering communication by attending industry conferences.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify and register for relevant conferences.
- Prepare to actively engage in discussions and networking opportunities.
Practice active listening
Show steps
Build a strong foundation in active listening techniques to enhance comprehension and communication effectiveness.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review materials on active listening best practices.
- Engage in role-playing exercises to practice attentive listening, paraphrasing, and asking clarifying questions.
Participate in a workshop on building trust in organizations
Show steps
Enhance communication and interpersonal skills by participating in a workshop focused on building trust in organizations.
Browse courses on
Trust
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify and register for a relevant workshop.
- Actively participate in discussions and exercises during the workshop.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Explore case studies on communication in engineering
Show steps
Gain insights into real-world communication challenges and successes in engineering by exploring case studies.
Browse courses on
Communication
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for and identify relevant case studies.
- Analyze the communication strategies and outcomes described in the case studies.
Practice providing constructive feedback
Show steps
Enhance communication skills by practicing providing constructive feedback in a structured environment.
Browse courses on
Feedback
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review principles of effective feedback.
- Engage in role-playing exercises to provide and receive feedback.
Develop a communication plan
Show steps
Apply course concepts to create a comprehensive communication plan that addresses audience needs and achieves desired outcomes.
Browse courses on
Communication Planning
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify communication goals and objectives.
- Research target audience and communication channels.
- Develop key messages and a communication timeline.
Create a video tutorial on nonverbal communication
Show steps
Demonstrate understanding of nonverbal cues and their impact on communication by creating a video tutorial that teaches others about this topic.
Browse courses on
Nonverbal Communication
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather research and resources on nonverbal communication.
- Plan and write the script for the video tutorial.
- Record and edit the video tutorial using appropriate software.
Conduct a mock counseling session
Show steps
Apply counseling techniques and demonstrate empathy and communication skills by conducting a mock counseling session.
Browse courses on
Counseling Skills
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Prepare by reviewing counseling principles and techniques.
- Establish a safe and supportive environment for the mock session.
- Practice active listening, empathy, and appropriate responses.
Career center
Learners who complete Communication as a Technical Leader will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Technical Writer
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates clear and concise documentation for technical products or services. They need to be able to understand complex technical information and translate it into language that is easy for non-technical audiences to understand. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help technical writers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Technical Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialist
Technical support specialists provide technical support to customers. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both customers and colleagues. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help technical support specialists develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Business analysts help organizations improve their business processes. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their team members and clients. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help business analysts develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Product Manager
Product Manager
Product managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their team members and customers. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help product managers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Consultant
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their clients and colleagues. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help consultants develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Technical Trainer
Technical Trainer
Technical trainers teach technical skills to employees. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their students and colleagues. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help technical trainers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Recruiter
Recruiter
Recruiters find and hire new employees for organizations. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both potential candidates and hiring managers. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help recruiters develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their team members and clients. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help software engineers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
Data scientists use data to solve business problems. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their team members and clients. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help data scientists develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts protect computer systems from unauthorized access and attacks. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their team members and clients. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help cybersecurity analysts develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Project Manager
Project Manager
Project managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They need to be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders involved in the project, including team members, clients, and vendors. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help project managers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Sales Manager
Sales Manager
Sales managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their team members and customers. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help sales managers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They need to be able to communicate effectively with both their team members and customers. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help marketing managers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources, including recruiting, hiring, training, and employee relations. They need to be able to communicate effectively with all employees in the organization. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help human resources managers develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
A Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company. They oversee all aspects of the business, including finance, human resources, marketing, and sales. COOs need to be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, from employees to customers to investors. The Communication as a Technical Leader course can help COOs develop the communication skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as interpersonal communication skills, building trust in an organization, and providing and receiving feedback.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/fat5rm/communication
Reading list
We've selected ten 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 as a Technical Leader.
Provides a framework for having difficult conversations in a constructive and productive way. It covers topics such as preparing for difficult conversations, managing emotions, and finding common ground.
Provides a framework for having crucial conversations in a way that preserves relationships and achieves positive outcomes. It covers topics such as preparing for crucial conversations, managing emotions, and staying focused on the goal.
This fable-like book explores the five dysfunctions that can prevent a team from achieving its full potential. It provides practical advice on how to overcome these dysfunctions and build a high-performing team.
Explores the concept of self-deception and how it can hinder effective leadership. It provides practical tools and techniques for overcoming self-deception and building stronger, more effective relationships.
Explores the concept of emotional intelligence and its importance in leadership and personal success. It provides practical tips for developing emotional intelligence and using it to build stronger relationships and achieve greater results.
Save
Explores the importance of trust in business and provides practical advice on how to build trust quickly and effectively. It covers topics such as creating a culture of trust, keeping promises, and repairing broken trust.
Save
Explores the culture of high-performing groups and provides insights into how to create a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation.
This classic book provides a comprehensive guide to personal and professional effectiveness. It covers topics such as setting goals, managing time, and building relationships.
Provides a practical guide to creating a culture of accountability in which everyone takes ownership for their actions and results.
Provides practical advice on how to create a positive and motivating work environment. It covers topics such as building relationships, empowering others, and celebrating success.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/fat5rm/communication
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Rating
4.6
Effort
Approx. 11 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado Boulder
Instructor
Daniel Moorer
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
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हिंदी
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Bahasa Indonesia
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
Technical Communication. It's comprised of three courses:
- Communication as a Technical Leader (viewing)
- Speaking to a Technical Group
- Technical Managerial Written Skills
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