Professional Communication Training

Introduction

• Purpose of Training: Enhance professional communication skills for college students.

• Key Topics:

  • Understanding effective communication to target audiences

  • Assessing and resolving conflict

  • Self-advocacy in professional settings

• Importance of Professionalism: Growing with societal changes in the job market and culture.

The Importance of Professionalism

• Continuous Improvement: Emphasizes awareness of your environment for career growth.

• Adaptability: Essential in integrating oneself into various work cultures and communities.

• Ursula Burns Quote: "If you don't transform, you're stuck."

Case Studies: Learning Through Discomfort

Story of Laura

• Situation: Laura reports concerns about a student's mental health too late, causing conflict.

• Outcome:

  • Distress over the situation leads to self-reflection and a necessary apology.

  • Communication with the teacher helps resolve misunderstandings.

  • Laura demonstrates courage and improves professional relations.

• Lessons Learned:

  • Timely communication is vital to prevent escalating issues.

  • Open communication fosters supportive environments.

  • Self-reflection enhances personal and professional growth.

Story of Eric

• Situation: Eric faces car troubles and struggles with balance between commitments, leading to quitting.

• Outcome:

  • Avoids conflict and solution-finding, lies about absence, and ultimately lacks direction after graduation.

• Lessons Learned:

  • Avoiding discomfort leads to stagnation and prevents personal growth.

  • Professionalism reflects how conflicts are managed.

  • Seeking support can lead to quicker resolutions.

Effective Communication with Audiences

• Understand Your Audience:

  • Define your relationship, their language, and communication styles.

• Communication Tones:

  • Formal: Professional, direct, error-free, used with superiors.

  • Informal: Casual, allows for some slang and emotion, suitable when comfortable with colleagues.

  • Authoritative: Conveys confidence and clarity when directing subordinates.

• Adapt to Various Communication Modes:

  • Emails: Vary formalities appropriate to the audience

  • Texts: Maintain professionalism even in casual text communication.

Email Examples

• To Supervisor:

  • Subject: Request for Proposal Review.

  • Direct, clear language with no errors.

• To Colleague:

  • More casual while maintaining basic professionalism.

• To Subordinate:

  • Clear directives, maintaining formality and authority.

Texting Examples

• To Supervisor: Professional updates, clear and concise.

• To Colleague: Uses informal language while keeping professionalism.

• To Subordinate: Formally guide, provide necessary details clearly.

Tips for Professional Communication

• Environmental Cues: Adjust communication style based on setting (e.g., meetings vs. celebrations).

• Personal Brand: Represent your institution well; uphold professionalism even if others do not.

Assessing and Resolving Conflict

• Mindset Shift: Conflict can lead to growth if approached positively.

• Types of Conflict: Every conflict has potential for positive or negative outcomes.

• Conflict Resolution Process:

  • Assessment:

    • Understand impact and severity.

    • Gather perspectives, concerns, and motivations of all parties involved.

  • Resolution:

    • Prefer face-to-face communication for resolution.

    • Focus on facts, provide resolution options, solicit feedback.

    • Set goals for follow-up reassessment of resolutions.

Self-Advocacy in Professional Environments

• Communication: Clearly express your needs; no mind reading.

• Resources: Familiarize yourself with support systems in the workplace.

• Solution-Oriented Mindset: Stay focused on resolving issues collaboratively and constructively.

Conclusion

• Support Available: UCR College core team is committed to helping students develop professionally.

• Final Thoughts: Utilize this training to improve professional communication skills and overcome challenges in your career journey.