Our ability to talk is one of the things that makes us unique as a species, and most people say their first words when they are barely a year old. Why then, when talking is something we’ve been doing since infancy, do we so often fail to communicate effectively as adults?

The truth is, while talking may come naturally, actual communication is a skill which we need to learn in order to do it properly.

Conflict in itself is not bad. Knowing how to deal with it, is what counts. If we know how to cope with conflict, we will learn to be less fearful of it, and so not try to avoid it. This creates healthier, more harmonious relationships.

This course teaches you the fundamental skills and attitudes you need to deal with conflict and understand that, contrary to popular belief, dealing with disagreement or conflict is far more important to a relationship than not having disagreement or conflict at all.

Think of the last time you were criticised … you may have done many things well, but the criticiser chose to pick on the one area where you made a mistake, ignoring your good actions or behaviour. This is upsetting, difficult to hear and hard to act upon. How often have you been the one that gives that sort of criticism? The one who breaks down, instead of builds up.

This course explains the difference between negative and positive criticism and provides guidelines for giving and receiving constructive feedback so that you can build relationships - and in the workplace, increase productivity.

It can be difficult, when asked to give feedback, to know how to be constructive and honest without leaving the other person feeling demoralised. Some people build others up with positive feedback, while some break them down with destructive criticism. What do you do?

Knowing how to give feedback that is motivating and inspiring is critical if we want to develop children and adults who have high self–esteem, and will realise their full potential. It is important to learn how to give (and receive) feedback in a way that is positive, and which leaves both parties feeling good about themselves, and clear on where they stand.

Learning how to converse well and easily with others gives people more confidence when handling both business and social events. Mastering this skill - either one-on-one or conversations in small groups - is thus an important life skill.

In this talk, I cover the fundamentals of what it really means to be a good conversationalist, how to make effective introductions in order to ease the way for others, and (for emergencies) how to escape from the boring individual who insists on dominating your attention. We also touch on non-verbal (body) language.

Have you ever looked enviously at someone who has presence - that enigmatic, 'can’t-quite-put-your-finger-on-it' quality - and wished you could have it too? Have you ever wondered why people just don’t respond well to you? Are you having trouble getting your message across?

Perhaps the answer lies more with how you’re saying something, than what you’re actually saying.

This talk will help you be more aware of the message you’re actually giving beyond the words you’re saying, and show you how to use your voice and body language to appear confident and have presence.

No matter how similar people are, we are all unique. There will always be some ideas, issues, situations etc. on which we disagree. This is to be expected. Conflict in itself is not bad. Knowing how to deal with it, is what counts. If we know how to cope with conflict, we will learn to be less fearful of it, and so not try to avoid it. This creates healthier, more harmonious relationships.

In this talk I focus on the fundamental skills and attitudes you need to deal with conflict and understand that, contrary to popular belief, dealing with disagreement or conflict is far more important to a relationship than not having disagreement or conflict at all.