Professional Communication 101 - Course Overview
Course Description
Professional Communication 101 is a comprehensive 3-hour text-based course designed to teach practical communication skills to complete beginners. The course breaks down the complex skill of professional communication into clear, actionable steps across 10 lessons, each designed to take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Target Audience
This course is ideal for: - Early-career professionals looking to develop essential workplace communication skills - Students transitioning from academic to professional environments - Anyone seeking to improve their effectiveness in workplace interactions - Professionals wanting to refresh and formalize their communication approaches
Course Structure
The course consists of: - An engaging introduction connecting learners to the topic - 8 core lessons breaking down essential professional communication subskills - A capstone lesson integrating all skills into practical application - Comprehensive supplementary materials (checklists, cheat sheets, templates)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Build authentic professional relationships through strategic networking - Craft clear, effective messages for various professional contexts - Listen actively to enhance understanding and build rapport - Speak with confidence and impact in different professional settings - Give constructive feedback that drives improvement without creating defensiveness - Receive feedback gracefully and turn criticism into growth opportunities - Negotiate effectively to reach mutually beneficial agreements - Communicate collaboratively in team environments - Integrate all these skills to address complex professional communication challenges
Lesson Overview
Introduction: The Power of Professional Communication
An overview of why communication skills are critical for professional success and how this course will help you develop them.
Lesson 1: Strategic Networking - Building Authentic Professional Relationships
Learn how to create and nurture a professional network based on genuine connection rather than transactional exchanges.
Lesson 2: Crafting Clear Messages - The Foundation of Professional Communication
Develop the ability to structure your communication for maximum clarity and impact in various professional contexts.
Lesson 3: Active Listening - The Most Underrated Communication Skill
Master the art of truly hearing what others are saying, both the words spoken and the messages beneath.
Lesson 4: Influential Speaking - Communicating with Confidence and Impact
Learn techniques for delivering your message with authority and authenticity in different professional settings.
Lesson 5: Giving Effective Feedback - Driving Improvement Without Creating Defensiveness
Develop the ability to provide input that helps others grow while maintaining positive relationships.
Lesson 6: Receiving Feedback Gracefully - Turning Criticism into Growth Opportunities
Learn to manage emotional reactions to feedback and extract value even from poorly delivered criticism.
Lesson 7: Negotiation Fundamentals - Getting to Win-Win
Master the basics of interest-based negotiation to reach agreements that satisfy all parties’ core needs.
Lesson 8: Collaborative Communication - Thriving in Team Environments
Develop the skills to contribute effectively to group discussions, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Capstone Lesson: Integrated Professional Communication - Putting It All Together
Apply all eight communication skills to complex, realistic workplace scenarios through a comprehensive capstone project.
Supplementary Materials
Each lesson includes: - A detailed checklist for implementing the skills - Quick reference guides for key techniques - Templates and frameworks for practical application - Self-assessment tools to measure progress
Course Format
All content is provided in markdown format with suggestions for visual elements that could enhance the learning experience when implemented on a website or learning platform.
Learning Approach
The course employs a slightly irreverent, conversational tone while maintaining professionalism. Content is presented in British English spelling and focuses on practical application rather than theory. Each lesson includes interactive exercises, self-reflection prompts, and concrete action steps.