Communication and Interpersonal Skills

What this page covers

The resources here are about everyday and workplace communication. Most are mind maps, with a smaller set of flashcard decks, notes, slides, flowcharts and quizzes. Topics include listening, body language, oral presentations, conflict resolution, telephone skills, asking good questions and making a strong first impression.

Where to start

If listening is your weak spot, begin with the mind map Genuine Listening or Barriers to effective listening. The slide set Wk6 Interpersonal Skills II separates hearing from listening and describes the traits of a good listener. For a wider view, open Effective communication, a slide set with ten ways to have a better conversation.

If you have a talk coming up, try these in order:

1. The mind map on how to give a successful oral presentation, which lists common problems such as monotonous sentences and unclear structure.
2. The mind map Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques, which covers spontaneous speaking and managing anxiety.
3. The flashcard deck How to Communicate With Body Language, which covers gestures and being aware of your audience.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a mind map first, then test yourself. The quiz Crucial Conversation Quize asks you to fill in phrases and match skills to their explanations. 8c Appropriate Topics of Conversation asks what topics suit family members, acquaintances and strangers. Comm skills and blockers is another short check. Quizzes are few here, so flashcards such as Barriers to listening and Effective Question Types help with repeat practice.

Handling conflict

The mind map How to Resolve Conflict Effectively. suggests thinking about tension outside the dispute and how others color your perceptions. The deck CONFLICT MANAGEMENT FINAL gives you a way to rehearse the ideas.

Where this unit sits

This unit belongs to the Communication and Collaboration strand of Personal and career development. Choose one topic that matches your next conversation, presentation or interview, then make a mind map of your own to pull the ideas together.