Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders from Coursera

This course covers communication skills that engineering leaders use every day to motivate, inspire, and support the people in their organizations.

Speaking and writing are basic leadership communication skills. (We covered these topics in the Specialization course 1 and 3.) However, leaders also need to be skillful interpersonal communicators. Modern business requires communication skills that are effective across cultures, generations, and genders. Communication is also a key skill in building your personal brand. Leaders need to look, act, and speak like leaders. Another important leadership skill is the ability to handle difficult, emotional communications with employees, supervisors, and colleagues. Finally, engineers are often at the center of crisis communication.

In this course, you will learn

1. How to communicate in a global environment,

2. How to communicate across cultures, generations, and genders

3. How to use communication to build your personal brand, communicate your values, and your leadership promise

4. How to handle high-stakes, emotionally charged, difficult conversations with employees, supervisors and your colleagues

5. How to handle crisis communication

Required Material Disclaimer- The purchase of a case study is necessary to complete this course, as it is tied to an assessment. This case is an excellent illustration of the typical business situations requiring skillful handling of difficult conversations. Currently, the cost associated with this case study is $8.95 USD and is subject to change.

What's inside

Syllabus

Specialization Introduction - Communication for Engineers

Course Introduction - Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders

Week 1: What Influences the Way People Communicate?

Today’s global business environment makes good communication more important than ever. Those who lead virtual global teams need to be great communicators. They need to be able to persuade others, build trusting relationships, and motivate productive teamwork. To bring out the best in people and to find the common ground where true communication takes place, you need to understand the things that influence the way people communicate, including culture, gender, and generation. When you understand these influences, you can avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings, and you can help everyone focus on what’s really important—the business.

Week 2: Communicating With Leadership Presence in the Workplace

As you learn to do the things that leaders do—make decisions, develop a vision, talk to people and inspire them, manage productivity—you need to develop the skills that make you look, act, and speak like a leader. A personal brand will tell others what you value and what you promise; personal presence will help others see you the way you see yourself; and learning how to lead productive meetings will differentiate you as a leader who gets things done.

Week 3: How to Handle Difficult Conversations

Strong interpersonal communication skills are crucial in effective leadership. Tough conversations happen when we disagree about important issues, and knowing how to handle difficult conversations can keep a team or an organization running smoothly. In this module, you’ll learn how to handle disagreements and diverging opinions and how to use conflict to strengthen teams and organizations.

Week 4: What to Say, and What Not to Say, in a Crisis Situation

In this module, we will practice communication in the context of crisis situations. You’ll learn how to handle crisis responses, how to save your company’s good name, and who you should pay attention to when communicating about a crisis. Skillful crisis communication makes crisis management effective.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops leadership presence, interpersonal skills, and crisis communication, which are core skills for successful engineering managers

Teaches communication strategies for effective leadership, including how to inspire, motivate, and support team members

Provides practical guidance on handling difficult conversations, building relationships across cultures, and communicating with different generations

Taught by experts in engineering leadership and communication, Gayle Moran and Beata Krupa

Course materials include case studies and examples that provide real-world context for the concepts taught

Requires the purchase of a case study for assessment, which may be an additional cost for learners

Reviews summary

Communication skills course for engineers

Students who have taken this course say that it is a carefully crafted course that provides key ideas for effective communication. Case studies and assignments are used throughout the course.

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 Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders with these activities:

Organize Course Materials for Future Reference

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Enhance your retention by organizing course materials, facilitating easy access for future review.

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Create a system for organizing notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Review and summarize key concepts to reinforce your understanding.
Identify areas where you need further clarification or support.

Develop a Personal Leadership Brand

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Creating a personal brand will help you stand out as a leader and effectively communicate your values.

Browse courses on Personal Branding

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Reflect on your strengths, values, and goals as a leader.
Create a personal branding statement that encapsulates your values and aspirations.
Develop a consistent brand across all communication channels.

Communicate More Effectively in Global Environments

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Practice cross-cultural communication skills to improve effectiveness in global environments.

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Identify differences in communication styles across cultures.
Role-play scenarios to practice communicating with diverse cultures.
Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine communication strategies.

Four other activities

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Read 'Crucial Conversations' by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler

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Gain insights and tools for handling difficult conversations effectively, enriching your learning from the course.

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

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Master Difficult Conversation Techniques

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Enhance your ability to handle challenging conversations and resolve conflicts effectively.

Browse courses on Conflict Management

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Learn frameworks for addressing difficult conversations.
Practice using these techniques in role-playing exercises.
Seek feedback and guidance from more experienced leaders.

Attend a Workshop on Crisis Communication

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Develop practical skills for managing crisis situations and communicating effectively during emergencies.

Browse courses on Crisis Communication

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Find a workshop that focuses on crisis communication best practices.
Actively participate in discussions and exercises.
Develop a crisis communication plan for your organization or community.

Volunteer as a Mentor or Facilitator

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Practice your communication skills by guiding and supporting others, reinforcing your learning.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify organizations or programs where you can volunteer as a mentor or facilitator.
Prepare materials and activities to facilitate discussions or training sessions.
Provide constructive feedback and support to participants.

Career center

Learners who complete Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work with a team of people to achieve a common goal, often within a defined budget and timeframe. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders contains modules on how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, how to build strong relationships, and how to motivate and inspire your team to achieve success. These skills are essential for successful project managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Engineering Manager

Engineering managers oversee the technical aspects of a product or project, applying their knowledge of engineering principles to ensure that the product or project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required specifications. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders teaches a range of communication skills that are fundamental to the success of an Engineering Manager. The course covers how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, how to build strong relationships, and how to motivate and inspire your team to achieve success.

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Engineering Consultant

Engineering consultants provide expert advice and technical solutions to clients. They work with clients to identify and solve engineering problems, and they may also develop and implement new engineering systems and processes. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help build a foundation of communication skills that are essential for success as an Engineering Consultant, including how to communicate effectively with clients, how to build strong relationships, and how to persuade and influence others.

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Sales Engineer

Sales engineers work with clients to identify and solve technical problems, and they may also develop and implement new engineering systems and processes. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders contains modules on how to communicate effectively with clients, how to build strong relationships, and how to persuade and influence others. These skills are essential for successful Sales Engineers.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality assurance engineers are responsible for ensuring that products and processes meet quality standards. They work with a team of people to identify and correct defects, and they may also develop and implement new quality control processes. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help build communication skills that are important for their success, including how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, how to build strong relationships, and how to motivate and inspire your team to achieve success.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documents that explain complex technical information to a non-technical audience. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help build a foundation of communication skills that are essential for success as a Technical Writer, including how to write clearly and effectively, how to organize and structure information, and how to use visuals to communicate complex ideas.

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Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers are responsible for designing and implementing manufacturing processes. They work with a team of people to develop and improve production processes, and they may also oversee the production of products. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help build communication skills that are essential for success as a Manufacturing Engineer, including how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, how to build strong relationships, and how to motivate and inspire your team to achieve success.

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Systems Engineer

Systems engineers are responsible for designing and implementing complex systems. They work with a team of people to develop and integrate different systems, and they may also oversee the operation and maintenance of these systems. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders contains modules on how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, how to build strong relationships, and how to motivate and inspire your team to achieve success. These skills are essential for successful Systems Engineers.

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Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work with a team of people to create and improve software products, and they may also work with clients to gather requirements and provide technical support. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders contains modules on how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, and how to motivate your team to achieve success. These skills are essential for Software Engineers.

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Data Scientist

Data scientists use data to solve problems and make informed decisions. They work with a team of people to collect, analyze, and interpret data, and they may also develop and implement data-driven solutions. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help build a foundation of communication skills that are fundamental to data science, including how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, and how to present complex data in a clear and concise way.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts work with businesses to identify and solve problems. They use their knowledge of business processes and technology to develop and implement solutions that improve efficiency and productivity. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help build a foundation of communication skills that are essential in business analysis, including how to communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and team members, and how to present complex information in a clear and concise way.

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Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with a team of people to define the product vision, develop the product roadmap, and manage the product launch. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help teach Product Managers how to build a strong foundation of communication skills that are essential for success, including how to communicate effectively with teams, stakeholders, and users, and how to build strong relationships.

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Management Consultant

Management consultants help businesses improve their performance. They work with clients to identify and solve problems, and they may also develop and implement new strategies and processes. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help Management Consultants build a strong foundation of communication skills, including how to communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and team members, how to build strong relationships, and how to persuade and influence others.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. They work with a team of people to create and execute marketing plans, and they may also oversee the development of marketing materials. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders can help teach them a strong foundation of communication skills that are essential for success, including how to communicate effectively with teams, stakeholders, and customers, how to build strong relationships, and how to persuade and influence others.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers are responsible for the management of human resources within an organization. They work with a team of people to develop and implement HR policies and procedures, and they may also oversee the recruitment, training, and development of employees. Interpersonal Communication for Engineering Leaders contains modules on how to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, how to build strong relationships, and how to motivate and inspire your team to achieve success. These skills are essential for Human Resources Managers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager