Communication Skills Training Courses in Perth and Online

Think about a recent interaction at work—was your message understood the way you intended? Effective communication isn’t just about speaking clearly; it’s about ensuring understanding.

Here’s how you can strengthen your workplace communication skills:

• Know your audience – Tailor your message based on who you’re communicating with. An email to your manager may require different language than one to a colleague, or even one to an external provider.
• Listen more than you speak – Active listening builds trust and ensures mutual understanding. Try summarising what the other person says before responding. Paraphrasing is a powerful technique that demonstrates you understand the other person, and it is a great trust-builder!
• Be concise and clear – Avoid over-explaining. State your key points upfront and support them with relevant details.
• Manage your tone and body language – Non-verbal cues impact how your message is received. Maintain open body language and a confident tone. Don’t feel confident? Adopt a posture that is confident, and your brain will follow your body’s lead.
• Seek feedback – Ask trusted colleagues for insights on how you communicate. What one thing do you do really well?  What is one thing you could do differently? Small adjustments can make a big difference.

If any of these tips resonate with you, focus on just one for a week, and notice the difference it makes.  Then choose another one for another week. Improving communication is an ongoing process, but small changes can lead to big results in workplace relationships and career success. 

Difficult conversations—whether it’s giving feedback, addressing conflict, or negotiating—can be nerve-wracking. But staying calm and confident is a skill you can build.

• Prepare, but don’t over-rehearse – Get clear on what you need to say and avoid sounding scripted.
• Breathe and pause – Deep breathing slows your nervous system and gives you time to respond thoughtfully.
• Keep your emotions in check – If things get heated, focus on facts rather than emotions. If needed, take a short pause before responding.
• Use neutral, solution-focused language – Instead of “You always…” try “I’ve noticed that…” and speak factually (rather than personalising things) to keep the conversation productive. You have probably heard the saying, ‘focus on the behaviour, not the person.’  A wise tip!
• Stay focused on the goal – Keeping the ideal outcome in mind will help guide your responses. In fact, if you identify what you want to achieve by the end of the conversation before you begin the conversation you will be more on target and be more effective. 

Confident communication doesn’t mean avoiding tough conversations—it means approaching them with clarity and self-assurance – and a good plan!

To learn more about handling difficult conversations, join our Conflict to Cooperation workshop, available in-person and online.

It is completely natural to have your heart race before speaking in a meeting or addressing a difficult issue, and that is because nerves are a natural response to high-stakes situations.  The key is to not let those nerves control you. Here are some handy and practical tips you can use:

• Choose the best mindset – Instead of thinking, “I hope I don’t mess up,” reframe it as “I have something valuable to share.” Whatever you focus on will direct your mind to think about those things.
• Use breathing techniques – Deep belly breathing slows your heart rate and keeps you grounded.
• Practice in low-pressure situations – The more you put yourself in speaking situations, the more comfortable you’ll become.
• Focus on connection, not perfection – People don’t expect flawless delivery; they care about your message. Speak to people, not about the topic.
• Use strategic pauses – Pausing makes you sound more confident and gives you a moment to collect your thoughts.
• Know your material – make sure you know what you are going to say – yet avoid trying to memorise it word for word.  Know it so well that you can outline the main points on your fingers.  This helps you focus on how you will deliver your message by incorporating the above tips.

And remember to practice! With the right mindset and techniques, you can turn nerves into a source of energy rather than fear. Discover how to turn nerves into confidence, join our Presentation Skills Training for Impact and Persuasion and practise your skills for lasting success!

When tensions run high—whether in meetings, negotiations, or crisis moments—staying clear-headed and effective is key.

• Slow down your response time – Reacting too quickly can lead to miscommunication. Take a deep breath before responding.
• Prioritise clarity over speed – Speaking too fast makes it harder for others to process what you’re saying. Focus on pausing and emphasising key points.
• Stay solution-focused – Instead of dwelling on problems, guide the conversation toward next steps and action.
• Control your body language – Crossed arms, fidgeting, or avoiding eye contact can undermine your message. Maintain open, confident posture.
• Repeat and confirm – When stakes are high, misunderstandings can happen. Summarise key points to ensure everyone is on the same page.

In pressure-filled moments, calm, focused communication can turn challenges into opportunities.

The following courses can help you communicate more effectively and confidently in the workplace:
Developing Self Confidence and Assertiveness Skills
Communication Skills (with Extended DISC®)
Negotiation and Influencing Skills

Even experienced professionals make communication mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for:

• Not actively listening – Thinking about what to say next instead of fully listening can cause misunderstandings.
• Making assumptions – Assuming what someone means instead of clarifying can lead to miscommunication.
• Overcomplicating messages – Too much detail can confuse rather than clarify. Keep communication clear and direct.  Identify the main points of your message to help you stay focused and clear.
• Letting emotions dictate responses – A frustrated email or impulsive reaction can damage relationships. Taking time to respond thoughtfully can prevent this. Manage your emotions so they do not control you.
• Ignoring non-verbal communication – Body language, facial expressions, and tone convey more than words alone. Pay attention to how others are responding yet do not mindread!  Do not imagine you know what it means when someone sighs while you are speaking. 
• Overusing emails/text messages – this can lead to people making things up because these forms of communication were never meant to replace face-to-face interactions.  

Being aware of these common pitfalls can instantly improve workplace interactions.

Influence and negotiation aren’t just about being persuasive—they’re about understanding people, adapting your behaviour to this understanding, finding genuine ways of building trust, and creatively and relentlessly seeking to find solutions together.

• Focus on what motivates others – Tailor your message based on their goals and concerns.
• Use the power of questions – Asking “What would need to happen for this to work for you?” shifts the conversation toward collaboration.
• Be willing to compromise – The best negotiations create mutual benefit, not one-sided wins. Identify what you are willing to compromise on and those you absolutely are not willing to, then determine how to best bring these into the conversation.
• Build credibility over time – People are more likely to be influenced by those they trust. Deliver value before making big asks.  If you are not sure what the other person values, that is where you start.
• Know when to pause – Silence is a powerful tool. After making a key point, pause and let the other person process before continuing.

Mastering these skills can strengthen your leadership presence and help you achieve workplace goals. We have many more tips and practical strategies in our one-day Negotiation and Influencing Skills workshop which gives you the opportunity to practice and gain valuable feedback.

Most of our training takes place at our Perth CBD training centre, located in the Cloisters Precinct at Level 1, 863 Hay Street. Some courses are also available online via Zoom.

For your convenience, we can also deliver training at your workplace, allowing your team to learn in a familiar environment while minimising travel time. Contact us for more information.