Who is the Conversation Techniques course suitable for?

The Conversation Techniques course is suitable for anyone who regularly holds conversations and wants to communicate more effectively. Think of professionals who want to give feedback, conduct difficult conversations, turn resistance around or listen better to interests and expectations. No prior education is required. You train in a classroom setting in a small group of up to 8 participants, so you have plenty of room to practise with your own real-life situations.

Which conversation techniques do you learn during the Conversation Techniques course?

You will learn practical techniques such as active listening, summarising, probing, reflecting and asking open questions. You will also practise steering skills for difficult conversations, such as giving feedback and delivering bad news. You will learn to recognise resistance and turn it around, and you will work with models such as McClelland's iceberg theory to interpret behaviour below the surface and influence it effectively.

Do you receive a certificate after the Conversation Techniques course?

Yes, on completing the Conversation Techniques course you receive a certificate of participation from Learnit. The condition is that you have actively attended both course days and taken part in the practical exercises. The certificate confirms that you have been trained in conversation techniques such as listening, summarising, asking follow-up questions and dealing constructively with resistance and emotions.

Is prior knowledge required for the Conversation Techniques course?

No, no specific prior knowledge is required for the Conversation Techniques course. The course is suitable for anyone who regularly holds conversations and wants to communicate more effectively. An intake takes place before the course, in which you determine your own learning objectives. That way the content matches your own practice and level of experience, whether you are a starting professional or have been holding conversations for years.

What is the approach of the Conversation Techniques course?

The Conversation Techniques course is a classroom course in a small group of no more than 8 participants. You start with an intake in which you determine your own learning objectives. The course is active and experience-based: you practise with realistic conversation situations, receive immediate feedback and apply the techniques straight away in a safe atmosphere.

What is the difference between Learnit's Conversation Techniques course and its Communication Skills course?

Both courses deal with communication, but with a different focus. The Communication Skills course is about how you communicate: the basics of sending, receiving, and verbal and non-verbal signals. The Conversation Techniques course goes a step further and focuses on what you want to achieve in a conversation. You learn to steer towards a conversational objective, to apply techniques for specific situations such as bad-news or feedback conversations, and to handle resistance constructively. You work with models such as McClelland's iceberg theory to understand what is going on beneath the surface. Choose Communication Skills if you want to lay the foundation; choose Conversation Techniques if you already communicate but are looking for more control and results in your conversations.

When should you choose the classroom Conversation Techniques course instead of a book or online videos about conducting conversations?

Books and videos give you theory and models, but conducting conversations is a behavioural skill that you can only develop by doing. Learnit's Conversation Techniques course is deliberately classroom-based and lasts as long as it does precisely because you practise with other participants, act out situations and receive direct feedback on your own behaviour. In a group of no more than 8 people you can experiment with techniques such as asking follow-up questions, summarising and turning resistance around, and see how you come across to others. Theoretical models such as McClelland's iceberg theory are covered, but serve as a framework for the practice. Choose self-study if you want to acquire background knowledge. Choose this classroom course if you genuinely want to change your behaviour in difficult conversations.

How do I know whether I will really communicate differently in practice after the Conversation Techniques course?

Whether you actually communicate differently after the course depends on two things: how much you practise during the course and how consciously you keep applying it afterwards. The Conversation Techniques course is roughly 70% practice-based: you practise with realistic conversation situations, receive direct feedback from the trainer and fellow participants, and work with your own cases. You learn models such as McClelland's iceberg theory and techniques such as LSD (listening, summarising, probing). Most participants apply one or two techniques in their work within a week. Full behavioural change usually takes 6 to 12 weeks of conscious repetition. The course works best if you have concrete conversations coming up straight afterwards in which you can try out what you have learned.

Can I take the Conversation Techniques course if I am introverted or find it difficult to practise in a group?

Yes, the Conversation Techniques course is particularly suitable if you find it daunting to practise in a group. The group is deliberately small: a maximum of 8 participants. This means you receive personal attention and the threshold for joining in is lower than in a large course. An intake takes place beforehand in which you determine your own learning objectives, so you can indicate what you are struggling with. The trainer works towards a safe atmosphere in which practising is allowed to go wrong. Many introverted participants benefit from the focus on listening, summarising and asking follow-up questions. Skills that fit well with a reflective style. The course If you would prefer to work entirely one-to-one, a 1-on-1 coaching programme is a more suitable alternative than this classroom course.

What is McClelland's iceberg theory and why do you use it in the Conversation Techniques course?

McClelland's iceberg theory holds that what you observe in a conversation – behaviour, words, posture and tone – is only the visible tip. Below the waterline lie beliefs, emotions, norms and underlying needs that drive that behaviour. In the Conversation Techniques course we use this model as a framework for interpreting behaviour and influencing it more effectively. In practical terms, it helps you to respond to resistance or emotion not only at the level of behaviour, but to address the underlying need. Alongside McClelland, you work with listening and questioning techniques (summarising, probing, reflecting) and steering skills. The theory remains a tool: the emphasis lies on practising in a group of no more than 8 participants, not on piling up theory.

How can I best prepare for the Conversation Techniques course to get the most out of it?

Preparation begins with the intake. In it you determine your personal learning objectives together with the trainer, so it helps to think beforehand about concrete conversational situations from your work that you find difficult. Think of a feedback conversation that went wrong, a meeting in which emotions ran high, or a conversation in which you could not get your point across clearly. The more specific your examples, the more targeted your practice during the course can be. It is also wise to ask colleagues or clients what stands out to them in your communication. That exposes your blind spots. No prior knowledge is required, and you do not have to read any theory. The course is practically oriented: you practise real situations in a group of no more than 8 participants. Those who bring cases with them get the most out of the investment.

What does the Conversation Techniques course cost and how long does it take?

You will find the current price at the top right of this course page, together with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.

Conversation Techniques course

Name: Conversation skills
Price: 1250.0 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 8.5 (79 reviews)

In conversations with colleagues, clients or your team: do you want to get to the heart of the matter, stay in control and bring the other person with you? With the right conversation techniques, you consciously steer every conversation towards your objective, even when emotions run high or resistance arises.

Description

In the Conversation Techniques course you work on the skills you need to conduct conversations purposefully. You learn how to get to the heart of the matter, how to keep the conversation on track when emotions run high and how to make your point without losing sight of the other person.

What the Communication Skills course is all about how you communicate, the focus here is on what you want to achieve in a conversation and how to work towards that deliberately. You will gain insight into the communication process, into verbal, non-verbal and paralinguistic signals, and into what is at play beneath the surface of a conversation. You will use McClelland's iceberg theory as a framework for better interpreting behaviour, beliefs and emotions.

The course is mainly practical in its set-up. You practise conversational techniques, simulate recognisable situations and receive immediate feedback. You are also introduced to a number of models that help you understand conversations better and influence them more effectively. In this way you build up a set of techniques that you can apply straight away in your own working practice.

Topics

During this course you will work on the following topics:

Basic communication: the communication process, common pitfalls and the verbal, non-verbal and paralinguistic sides of a conversation.
Steering skills: clarifying your objective for the conversation and deliberately choosing a strategy and technique, for example in bad-news conversations or feedback situations.
Listening and conversation skills: active listening, summarising, asking follow-up questions, reflecting and asking open questions.
Relationship and content: what is going on beneath the surface of a conversation, and how do you deal with it?
Connecting with the person you are speaking to: having an eye for frame of reference, experience and emotion, and turning resistance around constructively.
Dealing with emotions and resistance: tension and respond calmly and purposefully in difficult situations.
McClelland's iceberg theory: as a framework for better interpreting and influencing behaviour, beliefs and needs.

Result

After this course you are aware of your own qualities and pitfalls, and you know what impact they have on a conversation. You steer conversations towards the goal you have in mind, and you keep or regain control when necessary.

You recognise resistance in yourself and in the other person, and you know how to deal with it constructively. You also listen more effectively, with an eye for the other person's experience and frame of reference.

You see through your own communication patterns and their effect on others, you use targeted conversation techniques to achieve your objective, you stay in control even when emotions or resistance run high, you listen more closely, ask better follow-up questions and prevent misunderstandings, and you handle difficult conversations. Such as feedback or bad-news conversations. With more calm and clarity.

Target audience

This course is suitable for anyone who regularly holds conversations and wants to become more effective at them. You will probably recognise yourself in one or more of these points:

You want to get more out of your questioning technique, you want to listen better to the other person's expectations and interests, you want to gain insight into mutual influence during conversations, you are looking for techniques for specific conversation situations, such as a bad-news conversation, a confrontation or a feedback moment, you want a conversation to run smoothly, even when emotions run high, you want to communicate more clearly and avoid misunderstandings.

Whether you are a manager, adviser, project worker or a professional in another role: if conversations are an important part of your work, this course is a good fit.

Teaching method

During this course the focus is on doing is central. You practise with recognisable conversation situations from your own working practice, receive immediate feedback and get to work with techniques you can apply straight away.

The structure is varied:

A intake beforehand, in which you determine your personal learning objectives.
Short theory blocks with practical models, such as the McClelland's iceberg theory, as a framework for interpreting behaviour and communication.
A lot practising in role plays and simulations, based on situations you bring in yourself.
Reflection and feedback from both the trainer and the other participants.

We work in a small group of no more than eight participants, so that there is room for personal attention and everyone gets enough time to practise. The atmosphere is safe and positive: making mistakes is allowed, because that is what you learn most from.

Prior knowledge

You do not need any specific prior knowledge. It does help if you regularly have conversations in your work or private life and are keen to practise actively. An open attitude and a willingness to look at your own communication will help you most.

Comments

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In-company

Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.

Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.

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Language

The training is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer has a good command of English. English-language course material can be used. With a minimum enrolment of 3 participants, the training can also be given entirely in English.

Number of days:

2 days

Course times:

from 10 am to 5 pm

Study load:

14 hours

Education level:

This training is suitable for all levels.

Exemptions:

Exemptions do not apply to this course.

Preparation time:

No preparation time applies to this course.

Certificate:

At the end of the course, a certificate is issued as proof of participation.

The best training for you

At Learnit you will always find a course that takes you further. From (technical) IT skills to communication or personal leadership. You can also choose the training format that suits you best: a classroom course, a tailor-made course at your own office, an online course or an e-learning. We have the right course and the right format for everyone. Because learning in the way that suits you best delivers the best results.

Moving forward together

Taking a training course at Learnit means learning together. Together with your experienced trainer, together with your course group or together with your colleagues. And whether you take the training at home, at your office or at one of our training locations, we are always available to help you. To share our knowledge with you in a way that is genuinely useful to you. Getting further together through personal attention and understanding each other well; that is what we believe in.

Apply it directly in your work

Learning theory from a book that you can then hardly use in your work? Not at Learnit! Whichever training you take with us, you can put it to use at your workplace straight away. Because of the unique learning objectives you set together with the trainer at the start of the training. Because of the alternation between theory and (interactive) practical assignments. And by bringing the challenges you face in your daily work along to the training.