Communication Etiquette In An Open Plan Office

PRESENTED BY VIOLET DHU

Open plan offices were designed to increase communication, teamwork and collaboration. However a high level of worker dissatisfaction exists with open plan workplaces. Common complaints with open plan offices include: cramped workspace, lack of privacy, various distractions and too much noise.

The ability to behave in a professional manner and work effectively in a busy open plan workplace requires a high level of interpersonal communication skills and self-awareness. Each individual has their own understanding and expectations of how they and others should behave in an open plan office. By all staff having a shared understanding of what is expected and what is appropriate behaviour, there will be reductions in stress and the potential for misunderstandings and conflict in an open plan workplace.

Course Content

This workshop will help you to become more aware of your current communication style and how your behaviours can impact on others when working in a shared space. The workshop will:

  • Define what etiquette is and what influences our understanding of etiquette

  • Identify our beliefs and assumptions that may be holding us back at an individual level or may be sabotaging us as a team member

  • Give you tools to set boundaries with clients and colleagues in the office and on the phone

  • Teach you how to receive and give feedback through active listening and empathy

  • Show you how to deal with destructive criticism

  • Illustrate the importance of your body language and other nonverbal communication

  • Teach you how to better deal with your own emotions in the office

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this workshop you will:

  • Know how to work effectively in an open space office with a high level of communication etiquette

  • Understand the importance of communicating with honesty and clarity with colleagues and clients

  • Be able to maintain professional boundaries with colleagues and clients

  • Be able to use a range of tools to assist you when providing or receiving feedback including dealing with destructive criticism confidently

  • Be aware of the importance of your body language and nonverbal communication

**This workshop can be delivered as an in-house corporate workshop. It will be customised to meet your organisational training needs and the key learning outcomes are set to match your requirements.

Violet Dhu

Violet Dhu is the person I recommend if you are seeking support to increase employee or self-confidence with difficult conversations and overall performance Belinda McPherson, Southern Rural Water

About Violet Dhu

Violet Dhu has over twenty years’ experience in working with individuals and teams to develop effective and confident communication skills.

She is a graduate of the Harvard Law School, Difficult Conversations Project and uses her knowledge and skills as a coach and trainer to challenge teams to overcome their fears and to build accountability into their communication.

Violet shows you how to have confident and effective conversations in your workplaces.