Foundations of Strategic Communications

Foundations of Strategic Communications

This course is part of Strategic Communications in Technical Organizations Specialization

Instructors: Paul Huckett

5,362 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Understand how to analyze and adjust messages to suit diverse audiences effectively.
Learn to apply leadership communication models to influence and lead teams.
Develop strategies to manage conflict and enhance clarity in workplace communications.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Strategic Communications in Technical Organizations Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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 5 modules in this course

The "Foundations of Strategic Communications" course equips learners with the skills to master professional, technical, and leadership communication strategies. By completing this course, participants will be able to analyze audiences, craft effective messages, and adapt their communication style to fit organizational cultures. Key learning outcomes include enhancing emotional intelligence, improving listening and nonverbal communication, and overcoming common communication barriers. Learners will also develop leadership communication skills, enabling them to influence and foster collaboration in both team settings and external engagements.

What makes this course unique is its practical focus on applying communication models in real-world scenarios. Learners will gain the confidence to manage diverse audiences and complex workplace dynamics. The course emphasizes tailoring communication strategies based on audience analysis, ensuring learners are prepared for a variety of professional environments. By the end of the course, participants will have the tools to communicate persuasively, lead with influence, and foster stronger workplace relationships. This course provides a competitive advantage in both career growth and personal development by empowering learners with the ability to strategically communicate in any setting.

The "Foundations of Strategic Communications" course provides students with essential skills for effective professional and technical communication across leadership, interpersonal, and group settings. It focuses on teaching students to analyze audiences, adapt to different organizational cultures, and apply emotional intelligence to improve communication outcomes. Through hands-on exercises, students will strengthen their listening, nonverbal, and writing abilities, while developing strategies to overcome communication barriers in various professional environments.

What's included

3 readings

In this module, we will discuss communications within the context of a technical organization. We will explore the components of communication and assess how ineffective communications affect technical teams and business operations.

What's included

3 videos3 readings3 assignments2 plugins

3 videosTotal 22 minutes

Introduction to Technical Communications8 minutes
Barriers to Communication10 minutes
Context in Technical Communications4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Leadership Is a Conversation20 minutes
Effective Strategies for Communicating and Managing Communication in a Team20 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Having a Better Conversation60 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Introduction to Technical Communications60 minutes
Foundations of Technical Communication18 minutes
Enhancing Communication Skills12 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 19 minutes

Video: Groupthink Challenger7 minutes
Video: 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation | Celeste Headlee12 minutes

In this module, we will discuss how effective communications require an understanding of the audience. We will explore ways to analyze your audience and consider how to use this information to influence your communication strategy, regardless of the medium or method of communication (i.e., written or verbal).

What's included

2 videos2 readings3 assignments3 plugins

2 videosTotal 21 minutes

Audience Analysis14 minutes
Communicating with Senior Leadership6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 30 minutes

The One Unbreakable Rule in Business Writing20 minutes
Get the Boss to Buy In10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Audience Analysis60 minutes
Audience Analysis and Communication Strategies18 minutes
Communicating with Senior Leadership and Board Presentations12 minutes

3 pluginsTotal 14 minutes

Video: Knowing your Audience/ Audience Analysis for Public Speaking5 minutes
Video: How to Begin your Presentation with Simon Sinek6 minutes
Video: Giving a Presentation to the Board of Directors3 minutes

In this module, we will explore the components of organizational culture and their relevance to communications, with specific emphasis on the mission of the organization. We will examine approaches for communicating as a leader within an organizational culture, including asking powerful questions as a means of increasing engagement.

What's included

2 videos3 readings3 assignments3 plugins

2 videosTotal 28 minutes

Organizational Culture and Leadership Communications10 minutes
Communicating as a Leader18 minutes

3 readingsTotal 75 minutes

The Surprising Power of Asking Questions10 minutes
Effective Communication: How Leaders Can Inspire, Engage And Succeed20 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Asking Powerful Questions45 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Leadership Communications60 minutes
Communication Styles and Leadership in Technical Organizations12 minutes
Listening Skills and Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace18 minutes

3 pluginsTotal 25 minutes

Video: Start With Why - How Great Leaders Inspire Action | Simon Sinek | 18 minutes
Video: Minute with Maxwell: Asking Questions - John Maxwell Team3 minutes
Video: Daniel Goleman: What Makes a Leader?4 minutes

In this module, we will explore communication styles within the context of a technical organization. You will evaluate your own communication style and work collaboratively to find common barriers in communication.

What's included

3 videos3 readings3 assignments2 plugins

3 videosTotal 37 minutes

Communication Styles8 minutes
Managing Listening Communication14 minutes
Managing Nonverbal Communication15 minutes

3 readingsTotal 180 minutes

Communication at Workplace60 minutes
How 'Non-verbal Communication' is Going Digital?60 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Communication Styles60 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Communication Styles60 minutes
Understanding Communication Styles and Effective Listening15 minutes
Mastering Nonverbal Communication and Body Language15 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 29 minutes

Video: 5 Ways to Listen Better | Julian Treasure8 minutes
Video: Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy 21 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Instructors

Paul Huckett

Johns Hopkins University

5 Courses26,588 learners

Stephanie Caporaletti

Johns Hopkins University

3 Courses9,966 learners

Offered by

Johns Hopkins University

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