Talking Tactics

 Mar 16, 2016

Having run Communication skills programs over the last twenty-one years, I have found that very few participants at the start of a program can readily tell me what ‘Assertive Communication’ is without telling me what it doesn’t involve.

I usually hear contributions such as, “It’s about getting your point across without being aggressive.” Assertiveness training is generally only considered for those who come from a more non-assertive stance. Those people who might border on aggression are not considered candidates, so, what we need for them to refine their communication skills are some ‘Talking Tactics’.

From the variety of communications courses I have taught over the years I have found that to be an effective communicator, at a foundation level we need to be adept in the following seven areas:

  • What Assertive Communication is and how to do it
  • To understand others’ communication preferences and how they make decisions
  • Have a flexibility in our approach and build rapport
  • Listen actively and effectively
  • Be aware of our body language and tone whilst employing structures that will aid acceptance
  • How to effectively gather information
  • How to empathise and smooth difficult situations

Just like learning an instrument or a sport, to get good at your craft, you not only need to ‘know’ what to do but to do it and keep practicing it.

Talking tactics is a great place to start but to be adept at Talking Tactics we need to stop ‘talking’ about them and do them. If you want to know more, take a look at New Horizons' Upcoming Talking Tactics seminars.

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About the Author:

Tim Higgs  

Tim has been involved in the corporate training industry for over 15 years; seven of these have been as the Portfolio Manager and Senior Facilitator at New Horizons. Tim holds a Graduate Diploma (Psych/Couns), a masters' degree in Cultural Psychology and a bachelor's degree in Business, giving him a unique theoretical backdrop for understanding human performance in the workplace. This complements his actual experience of working within the corporate sector in sales and management positions and owning and running a small business. Having worked with individuals and groups in both clinical and business settings, Tim has a fantastic insight into human behaviour, motivation and the issue of human change.

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