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Communication

Workplace communication is the exchange of information, ideas, and feedback that helps individuals and teams work effectively together. It involves clear, respectful communication through verbal, written, and digital channels to support collaboration and achieve organizational goals. Strong communication reduces misunderstandings, builds trust, and contributes to a more productive and engaged workplace.
Learn how to communicate effectively with the resources below. 

 

Please Note: The majority of these resources are curated, not created, by the MSU IT Training Team from external sources. If you experience issues with any of the resources or links, please reach out to us at train@msu.edu.

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LinkedIn Learning - Communication

Note: Requires a paid membership to LinkedIn Learning

 

Introduction to Communication 

  • The Three Pillars of Effective Communication

    Effective communication starts with presence. Strong presence builds trust. A lack of presence erodes it. But what is presence, really? In this Knowable audio course, Ximena Vengoechea, author of Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection, teaches you to become a more confident, trustworthy, and successful communicator by unlocking the three key skills of conversational presence: self-awareness, trust, and patience. Ximena shows you how to take control of your emotions through the process known as “labeling,” regulate your physical self by running a “body scan,” avoid distractions caused by unnecessary detail-orientation, and build greater rapport with others by saying less.

    Note: This course was created by Knowable. [LinkedIn Learning is] pleased to host this training in [their] library.

    Modality: Course
    Source: LinkedIn Learning (Requires paid membership)
    Time: 25 minutes


    Learn about the three pillars of effective communication here

  • Confident Communication for Introverts
    Introverts face some unique challenges when it comes to communication and socializing. In this course, communication coach TJ Guttormsen offers insights and practical strategies designed to help introverts develop the ability to communicate with confidence in any situation of their personal or professional lives.

    Learn how to overcome social fears and worries, build confidence from within, and recharge and maximize your energy for social life. TJ shows you what it takes to project confidence through voice, tone, and body language and become more comfortable speaking, regardless of what’s at stake. By the end of this course, you’ll be prepared to speak up in groups, address common challenges such as interruption, and start and sustain meaningful conversations with just about anyone.


    Modality: Course
    Source: LinkedIn Learning (Requires paid membership)
    Time: 1 hour 16 minutes

    Learn about confident communication for introverts here
  • Advanced Business Development: Communication and Negotiation

    Deals are won and lost in the nuances of communication and relationship building. To be successful, business development reps must learn to pivot and build value in a variety of customer conversations.

    In this course, join Lisa Earle McLeod and Elizabeth McLeod as they share strategies that can help experienced reps take their communication and negotiation skills to the next level. Learn how to get into the right mental space for strategic conversation. Discover how to engage sophisticated customers through high-level questioning and body language, as well as how to negotiate without damaging a relationship or descending to the lowest possible dollar. Plus, learn how to keep your value top of mind with your buyer after you make the handoff.

    Modality: Course
    Source: LinkedIn Learning (Requires paid membership)
    Time: 45 minutes

    Learn about communication and negotiation here

Written, Oral, and Listening 

  • Writing Emails People Want to Read

    In this course, instructor Sam Bennett shows you how to write great emails that'll leave a positive impression. First, Sam explains that being both personal and direct contributes to a high ROI, no matter who your recipient is.

    She goes over how to utilize the basic types of emails: inquiry, transactional or informational, and marketing or sales. She steps you through how to write engaging yet clear emails that grab your customer's attention and keep it. Sam teaches you what makes a good story work and what will convert prospects to customers. She walks you through best practices to make sure your emails get read at the right time by the right people and how to craft a relevant call to action. She shows you how you can reuse emails as blog posts, social media posts, and even compiled as ebooks. Sam concludes by discussing how to leverage email content to improve your FAQ and About US pages.

    Modality: Course
    Source: LinkedIn Learning (Requires paid membership)
    Time: 57 minutes

    Learn about writing emails people want to read here

  • How to Speak Smarter When Put on the Spot
    Public speaking can be nerve-wracking even with ample preparation time. An unexpected spotlight can further ramp up the heart-pounding, word-fumbling, and mind-blanking. In this audio-only course, Matt Abrahams shares six easy steps to improve spontaneous speaking.

    Matt Abrahams teaches strategic communication at Stanford University and hosts a top podcast: Think Fast, Talk Smart. He is the author of two best-selling books on speaking: Speaking Up without Freaking Out and Think Faster, Talk Smarter.

    Matt shares how you can listen deeply to better respond and connect with any audience. You’ll learn tactics to address anxiety–such as holding something cold. Matt shares why to “maximize your mediocrity” and offers a formula for great self-introductions. Finally, get expert strategies for recovering quickly when you draw a blank and approaches for “preparing to be spontaneous.”

    Modality: Podcast
    Source: LinkedIn Learning (Requires paid membership)
    Time: 21 minutes

    Learn how to speak smarter when put on the spot here
  • Active Listening: The Secret to Effective Communication

    When she worked as a Senior User Research Manager at top tech companies like LinkedIn and Twitter, active listening was a huge part of Ximena Vengoechea’s job. She literally wrote the book on it!

    In this Knowable course inspired by Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection, Ximena translates her experience in user research to teach you how to become a better listener and communicator. Learn how to discern between surface and empathetic listening and how to communicate more productively using listening loops. Plus, find out how to navigate the three levels of listening: what is said, what is meant, and what is felt. Together, these new skills empower you to build stronger connections at work and in life, give and receive more honest feedback, and discover what others think and feel beyond the words they say.

    Modality: Course
    Source: LinkedIn Learning (Requires paid membership)
    Time: 27 minutes

    Learn the secret to effective communication here