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Professional Skills: Communicating to Build Relationships

Professional Skills: Communicating to Build Relationships

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Tyler Galarneau

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Assess and balance workplace tasks and relationships effectively
Communicate challenges and struggles constructively
Practice compassionate communication through the 'double hey' technique

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Strengthen workplace culture through meaningful connection. This self-paced course equips leaders and professionals with communication strategies that foster trust, compassion, and effective collaboration.

In today’s workplace, leaders must do more than manage tasks — they must build genuine connections. Building Relationships with Communication, led by Dr. Elissa Adame of ASU’s Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, helps professionals balance task effectiveness with relational appropriateness. Through interactive lessons, reflection exercises, and real-world scenarios, you’ll learn how to improve team morale, deepen trust, and promote openness — ultimately driving better performance through stronger relationships.

Module details

This module will guide you through understanding and evaluating your current balance between workplace tasks and relationships. You will explore the causes and resources related to maintaining this balance, learn how to prioritize effectively, and reflect on your leadership approach. By the end of this module, you will have a clearer picture of your current state and actionable insights to improve your work-life integration and professional interactions.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz: Assessing your balance10 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 45 minutes

Assessing your balance: Causes and resources5 minutes
Assessing your balance: Balancing workplace tasks and relationships4 minutes
Practice the solution: Balancing leadership priorities10 minutes
Job aid: Balancing workplace tasks and relationships3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Balancing workplace tasks and relationships10 minutes
Effective and balanced leadership starts with communication: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Assessing your balance10 minutes

In this module, you will learn the importance of openly communicating your challenges and struggles in the workplace. We will explore how changing expectations around sharing can foster a more supportive environment. You will gain practical strategies for sharing your struggles constructively, understand how this can encourage others, and reflect on the positive impact of vulnerability in building stronger professional relationships.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz: Sharing your struggle10 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 45 minutes

Sharing your struggle: Causes and resources5 minutes
Sharing your struggle: Changing expectations on sharing4 minutes
Practice the solution: Changing expectations on sharing10 minutes
Job aid: Changing expectations on sharing3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Sharing your struggle10 minutes
Sharing your struggles encourages others to do the same: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Sharing your struggle10 minutes

This module introduces the 'double hey' technique as a powerful tool for practicing compassion in your professional interactions. You will learn the origins and resources related to this approach, understand how to integrate compassion into your communication, and engage in practical exercises to hone your skills. By mastering the 'double hey,' you will be able to build deeper connections and foster a more empathetic and understanding work environment.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Quiz: Implementing the double hey10 minutes

7 pluginsTotal 45 minutes

Implementing the double hey: Causes and resources5 minutes
Implementing the double hey: Practicing compassion through the double hey4 minutes
Practice the solution: Practicing compassion through the double hey10 minutes
Job aid: Practicing compassion through the double hey3 minutes
Reflect on the solution: Implementing the double hey10 minutes
Compassion takes time and practice to perfect: Key takeaways3 minutes
Apply the solution: Implementing the double hey10 minutes

This final module provides an opportunity to complete a course survey to provide valuable feedback and officially mark your completion of the program. This module ensures you have a clear sense of accomplishment and an opportunity to contribute to the continuous improvement of the course content.