Course Overview
Looking to strengthen your communication, leadership, and people-management skills?
This four-session professional development programme offers a practical introduction to person-centred communication and counselling-informed approaches. It is designed to help general managers, team leaders, and professionals develop the confidence, communication skills, and emotional awareness needed to manage workplace conversations effectively. Participants will also learn how to build stronger professional relationships and support employee wellbeing and mental health in the workplace.
Designed for managers and leaders across a range of sectors, the programme focuses on developing effective interpersonal communication skills, leadership communication skills, active listening, and reflective leadership practice. It is particularly relevant for professionals responsible for team management, managing performance, conflict resolution, and fostering positive workplace cultures and staff engagement.
The programme combines practical skills development, theory-informed learning, and reflective practice. Participants will explore core counselling micro-skills and person-centred principles, with a focus on applying these appropriately within managerial roles, workplace communication, and professional boundaries.
By the end of the programme, participants will have developed greater self-awareness, enhanced communication skills, improved emotional intelligence, and increased confidence in managing supportive and constructive workplace conversations.
At a glance
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- Develop effective listening and communication skills to support leadership and team management.
- Demonstrate understanding of core person-centred communication principles, including empathy, authenticity, and respect.
- Apply counselling-informed communication skills appropriately within professional management roles.
- Increase self-awareness and reflective practice in leadership and workplace relationships.
- Recognise the importance of boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical communication in management settings.
- Respond more effectively to difficult conversations, conflict, and emotionally sensitive situations.
- Build confidence in supporting staff wellbeing while recognising the limits of the managerial role.
Session 1 — Foundations of Effective Communication and Leadership
Focus: Building relational leadership skills
- Introduction to counselling-informed communication
- The role of listening in leadership
- Active listening and attending skills
- Building trust and rapport in teams
- Practical communication exercises
Session 2 — Empathy, Emotional Intelligence and Difficult Conversations
Focus: Strengthening interpersonal effectiveness
- Empathy and emotional awareness
- Responding to emotion in the workplace
- Managing difficult conversations constructively
- Reflecting feelings and summarising
- Skills practice and feedback
Session 3 — Boundaries, Professional Relationships and Staff Support
Focus: Ethical and professional communication
- Professional boundaries and confidentiality
- Supporting staff without taking on a counselling role
- Managing wellbeing conversations appropriately
- Difference, diversity and inclusive communication
- Reflective practice activities
Session 4 — Integrating Skills into Management Practice
Focus: Applying learning in the workplace
- Applying person-centred principles in leadership
- Conflict management and constructive dialogue
- Developing reflective leadership practice
- Action planning for workplace application
- Programme review and consolidation
Teaching and Learning Methods
- Interactive workshop delivery
- Skills practice and role play
- Group discussion
- Reflective exercises
- Case study activities
- Peer feedback and facilitated learning
Progression and Professional Development
This programme provides a strong foundation for managers seeking to enhance leadership communication, staff engagement, and workplace wellbeing practices. It may also support progression into further training in coaching, mentoring, counselling skills, or leadership development