Introduction
About Me
Why this platform?
What’s in the course?
Putting it into practice
Knowledge is information in action
Exercise 1
Why are communication skills important?
Effectiveness, Influence and DISC
Effective versus Liked
Influence
DISC
The basics of DISC
It’s just me, deal with it.
DISC Basics
Making sense of the profiles
Why is DISC an important tool?
DISC is energy management
Bibliography
Exercise 2
How to understand DISC
D - Dominating
I - Influential
S - Steadiness
C - Conscientious
Move to other people
The Science of Communication
Point 1 - Communication is the sending and receiving of messages via a medium.
Point 2 - Communication is affected by noise. In the example above, that noise was me.
Point 3 - Communication is something the receiver processes
Models of Communication Theory
Exercise 3
Purpose, Audience and Context (Principle 1)
Purpose, Audience and Context
Purpose
Audience
Context
Summing Up
Exercise 4
Enthusiasm (Principle 2)
But what if you’re not enthusiastic about it?
A time and a place
Exercise 5
The receiver decodes and does the communication (Principle 3)
Exercise 6
Stories go where facts cannot (Principle 4)
The elements of a good story
What if I can’t tell stories?
Exercise 7
Don’t waste another person’s time (Principle 5)
Exercise 8
Practice is preparation (Principle 6)
Nerves
Content
Exercise 9
People remember how you make them feel (Principle 7)
You cannot make somebody feel anything
Movement and action
You cannot please everyone
Exercise 10
Non-verbal is an elevated superpower (Principle 8)
You get 1/10th second to make a good impression
It’s a superpower
Behaviours
Congruence
Baseline
Bibliography
Exercise 11
People resonate with those that sound like them (Principle 9)
Shouldn’t you just be your authentic self?
Exercise 12
You can hack your body (Principle 10)
Why use these techniques?
Gratitude
Happiness and smiling
Binaural beats
Comedy shows
Music from my childhood
Do what you are really good at
Journaling
SAD lamp
Exercise
Bibliography
Exercise 13
Listening is the greatest compliment
Exercise 14
How to actively listen
Turn and Face
Be prepared to listen
Be Interested
Empty Your Cup
Piece it all together
Listen Critically
Focus
Take Notes
Respond
Summing Up
Exercise 15
Staying Calm Under Pressure
Relax
Study and Listen to derive intent
Stall for time if needed
Use silence
Plan ahead
Be clear and confident in your delivery
Answer the question to a narrow scope and ensure its complete.
Answer then stop
Summing Up
Bibliography
Exercise 16
Writing
Purpose, Audience and Context
Writing and editing are two different activities
Structure and outline
Sit on it
Write like you speak
Write for children
Find a distraction free tool
60 Days Proof
Don’t use big words
Avoid using absolutes and generalisations
Be Journalistic
Be complete
Don’t SHOUT or be aggressive
Be upfront
What is written is considered the truth
Bibliography
Exercise 17
Non-verbal communication
Communication through non-verbal
Elements of non-verbal communication
Confidence and Assertiveness
Get a baseline
Micro expressions
Reading body language
Hands
Hands in hair
Touching Your Face
Hand Shakes
Eye Contact
Smile
Chin position
Arms Crossed
Feet
Steepling
Gestures
Head Nod
Eye Rubbing
Posture
Appearance Matters
Positioning in meetings
General movement
Summing Up
Bibliography
Final Thoughts
Stay in touch
Further Resources
Retired
This course is no longer available for purchase.
Communication Super power - The Foundations of Effective Communication
Develop strong communication behaviours to help you influence at work, communicate with clarity and stand out for the right reasons.
This course is designed for anyone looking to develop a Super Power in the world of work : effective communication skills.
In this course we cover the 11 principles of effective communication, designed to help you become more assertive, confident and capable at dealing with presentations, meetings, conflict, active listening and more.
About
About the Course
This course is designed for anyone looking to develop a Super Power in the world of work : effective communication skills.
Effective communication skills requires creativity, purpose, clarity and critical thinking. We cover that in the course, helping you to become more assertive, confident and capable at dealing with presentations, meetings, conflict, active listening and more.
Develop your communication behaviours in this course on the fundamentals of communication. It is based on my award winning Communication Super Power workshop.
This is a text based course and I will ask you to sit a DISC survey during it, or use my cheat sheet for self-assessment if you'd rather not use the survey tools.
In this course we'll cover:
- Why effective communication skills are so important
- How to be effective AND liked - and why relationships really are the key to influencing
- The science of communication
- Why DISC is a useful tool for communication
- Understanding DISC and why shifting to the other person is the key
- The 11 Principles of effective communication:
- Purpose, Audience and Context
- Enthusiasm
- Communication is something the receiver does
- Stories go where facts cannot
- Don't waste another person's time
- Practice is preparation
- People remember how you make them feel
- Non-verbal is a super power and why first impressions matter
- People resonate with those who sound like them
- You can hack your body
- Listening is the greatest compliment
- How to actively listen
- Staying calm under pressure
- Effective writing
- The art of non-verbal communication
I encourage you to reflect after each lesson on what that lesson means to you and how you will change to adapt what you are learning.
There are no quizzes or tests. I personally believe self-reflection is a better tool for learning than rote memory.
As part of this course I will ask you to sit a DISC survey, or use my cheat sheet for self assessment.
I cannot teach you to be an effective communicator - you must do that through practice. But this course will highlight the foundations, get you thinking and give you some guiding principles to start on your journey.
Testimonials
“Rob’s Communication Workshop is brilliant. Of all the training I’ve done over my career, it’s the one that’s had the most immediate and positive impact, both on my work and personal life.” Sylvia – attendee
“I knew Rob was a great speaker as I’d seen him present at a number of industry conferences so I had high expectations of the communications workshop he delivered to my team. He exceeded them all! He consulted with me to understand what we wanted to achieve and then facilitated a jam packed workshop that had something for everyone. Rob’s energy, expertise and amiable presenting style was a big hit with all of us and we left with new skills, insights and practical knowledge.” Scott - director of a company
About Me and the original workshop
About Me - I run two brands.
Cultivated Management - https://cultivatedmanagement.com
Will I really develop a super power?
If you put all of this in to practice you will indeed be on a journey to develop this super power.
Not a super-hero super power (like laser eyes, or flight, or immortality) but an exceptional ability to get things done at work.
Instructor
About the Instructor
Rob Lambert
Rob didn’t set out to be a business coach, consultant, or speaker. He began as a journalist and publisher, chasing stories about people and ideas — and trained as a media communication scientist, learning how to cut through complexity and share ideas in ways people actually understand.
That curiosity eventually pulled him into the world of tech — building products, leading teams, and riding the full start-up → scale-up → sale journey.
Along the way he discovered what really makes organisations succeed: not just talent, but clarity, creativity, communication, and continuous learning.
Rob went on to hold senior roles; VP of Software Engineering (twice), VP of HR, Head of Communication and Head of Agility— and those experiences now shape the work he does with leaders and teams.
Through Cultivated Management, his books, workshops, and keynotes, Rob helps organisations cut through complexity, align around value, and create cultures where people thrive.
He’s also the co-host of Stationery Freaks, a podcast for those who love notebooks, pens, and the analogue tools of creativity.
Rob lives in Winchester, England with his wife and three sons. Outside of work, he’s a keen photographer, film maker, and car enthusiast.
Rob is the founder and director of Cultivated Management.
Rob is the founder of Creativesoulprojects.
Rob is also a co-host of Stationery Freaks podcast.
Episode 185
An Interview with Rob Lambert
Material
Course Material
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