Northland course aims to calm conflicts at work, home

Communications skills trainer Barbara Jaques says using the wrong communication skill can be likened to using a hammer for a job when a screwdriver would do the job. Photo/Sarah Marshall Photography

A communications coach has kick-started a course to help people take the sting out of home and workplace conflicts.

The nine-week Transforming Communication course is run by communications coach Barbara Jaques and deals with conflict resolution and rapport building for everyone from spouses, young adults, co-workers and staff.

Ms Jaques has been running communications courses in Whangarei for six years and said that while most people are effective communicators, many are not confident dealing with challenging situations that push buttons at work or at home.

She said the course was even more important in Northland where the region features highly in the youth suicide statistics.

"Knowing how to listen well could be a life-changer for someone," she said.

"It's time to review our own face-to-face communication skills and start practising with real people instead of on social media."

Ms Jaques said communication skills are for everyone, from mums and dads dealing with rebellious children, to managers dealing with challenging situations and workplace conflict and tension.

"A lot of people want to know how to defuse conflict but if you're unable to create a connection and listen well, conflict resolution is bound to fail.

"We can't force our loved ones, or people that we work with, to have a connection with us.
"You must consciously create a rapport," she said.

Ms Jaques said using the wrong communication skill can be likened to using a hammer for a job, when a screwdriver would have done the work.

"We only know what we know with our communications skills. We don't always have the right skills at hand."

The course was developed by New Zealand's Dr Richard Bolstad and draws on Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and the research of renowned US relationship psychologist John Gottman.

Transforming Communication runs from August 10 and October 4 at the Motel Sierra on Western Hills Drive.

To register email barbara@bjprojects.co.nz or call 021 434778.