• Time: 15 hours
    • Free Certificate
    Effective communication plays a pivotal role in your daily life, whether chatting with strangers at the grocery store, connecting with loved ones at home, or collaborating with colleagues at work. This professional development course unravels the intricacies of interpersonal communication and its power in everyday scenarios. It explores the dynamics of interpersonal communication in both formal and informal settings, including the art of conflict management. Be it with family and friends or colleagues in the workplace, conflicts are inevitable, but this course equips you with the insights and skills to navigate and mitigate tensions through the application of human communication principles.

    • Unit 1: Overview of Interpersonal Communication

      Communicating clearly and effectively requires critical skills. In this unit, you will learn about essential communication competencies and how to use them to build and manage relationships. For instance, in a workplace setting, practical communication competencies include providing constructive feedback to colleagues and navigating conflicts to maintain positive working relationships.

      Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

    • Unit 2: Relationship Development

      This unit explores the elements involved in relationship development. It identifies the significance of critical factors, such as shared interests, which serve as building blocks in forming connections. For example, consider how a shared passion for environmental sustainability can be a powerful catalyst in establishing a solid connection between individuals. Additionally, this unit examines the dynamics of language use within interpersonal conflict situations, illustrating how the words we select intricately shape our thoughts and influence our perspectives on various aspects of life.

      Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • Unit 3: Listening

      Listening is a fundamental component of effective communication. In this unit, you will learn how to be a good listener and understand the role active listening plays in various communication settings. For instance, in a professional workplace, active listening may involve giving full attention to a colleague during a team meeting, asking clarifying questions, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative and communicative work environment.

      Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • Unit 4: Improving Interpersonal Communication

      When we communicate, we can say a lot without speaking. In this unit, you will learn how nonverbal signals can give additional information and meaning over and above verbal communication. For instance, consider a job interview where maintaining good eye contact and using open body language can convey confidence and professionalism, complementing your verbal responses. Improving your communication skills plays a vital role in personal and professional development. To conclude the unit, you will practice using language accurately and appropriately.

      Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.

    • Course Feedback Survey

      Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses. If you come across any urgent problems, email contact@saylor.org.

    • Certificate Final Exam

      Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.

      To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt. Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.