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Communication skills

When communicating with others, we need to consider who we are communicating with and how we are sending or receiving messages. These resources will help you to use communication techniques to maximise understanding in all your communication activities.

For further information on this capability please contact employeedevelopment@tmr.qld.gov.au

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Audience awareness

Before communication:

  • consider who you are communication with - their needs and interests
  • assess the context in which you are communicating and whether different situations might impact your message
  • select the correct medium of communication to provide the most accessible communication for your audience
  • determine what might engage your particular audience.
Provider Resource Location Type Time Skill level
LinkedIn Learning Weekly Communication Tips

Updated weekly, this course provides a series of tips designed to help you hone your communication skills in order to deal with difficult people, influence others, confidently speak in public at a moment's notice, and much more.

Online Course 5 mins each Beginner
LinkedIn Learning Understanding your audience before speaking up

This video considers selecting and tailoring your communication style based on the relationship dynamic.

Online Resource < 2 mins Beginner
LinkedIn Learning Personalise your communications strategy

Audience Centricity is a key to a successful communications strategy, learn more about the considerations for putting your audience at the centre of your communications strategy.

Online Resource < 4 mins Advanced

Language choice

When communicating a message:

  • ensure your communication is accessible and use easy English where appropriate
  • explain complex information in plain English for a non-technical audience
  • use technical language only when it is appropriate for your audience or in context.
Provider Resource Location Type Time Skill level
Centre for inclusive design Guide to creating accessible content

This guide takes you through the difference between Easy English and Plain English to help you decide which is most appropriate for your communication piece.

Online Resource 15-20 mins Beginner
insideTMR Clear written communications

The Easy English style guide will help you to develop understandable, concise information for people with low English literacy. It provides practical suggestions on document design, language, document layout and image choice.

Online Resource 30-40 mins General
Scope Easy english checklist

Use this checklist to review your document and see if it aligns to the Easy English principles.

Online Tool n/a General
LinkedIn Learning Writing in Plain Language

This course takes you through how to write with a reader focus. It will help you to ensure every sentence you write is easy to read and understand. Learn how to write content that helps people to understand what they've read and find the information they need.

Online Course 42 mins General
Scope Plain language checklist

Use this checklist to review your document and see if it aligns to see if it aligns to the Plain English principles.

Online Tool n/a General
LinkedIn Learning Technical writing: Reports

Watch this course to learn how technical reports differ from other report styles and all the elements needed to make your report as comprehensive as possible. You will also learn how to simplify your writing (which can be very challenging when using technical language) and how you can evaluate your readers' needs to best address their concerns

Online Course 2 hours 30 mins Beginner
LinkedIn Learning Writing with commonly confused words

English has many troublesome words that are easy for people to confuse. Is it 'farther' or 'further'? Should it be 'affect' or 'effect'? Spell check won't always catch the error which can lead to misunderstanding, confusion or embarrassment. Watch this course to learn how to write with more confidence, make fewer mistakes and spend less time doubting how to use these tricky words.

Online Course 43 mins General

Written communication

When preparing written communication:

  • follow the conventions of the communication type you are using(for example,brief,letter,report or email)
  • use clear, concise and grammatically correct language
  • limit the use of jargon or abbreviations.
Provider Resource Location Type Time Skill level
LinkedIn Learning Grammar Girl's Quick and DIrty Tips for Better Writing

In this course, Grammar Gril Mignon Fogarty shares how you can make your writing better and dispels a few common grammar myths. Take a look at the tips in this course any time you want to improve your writing skills.

Online Course 40 mins Beginner
Gartner Black belt effective writing

Take this self-guided virtual course to assist corporate communications leaders and teams write compelling, impactful messages.

Online Course 4 Weeks self-paced General
LinkedIn Learning Business writing principles

Watch this course to discover the secrets to effective business writing and crafting message that others want to read and act on. You will be given before-and -after writing samples to give you the opportunity to apply each principle and be taken through different business writing types (for example reports or emails).

Online Course 1 hour 30 mins General
LinkedIn Learning Tips for writing business emails

Discover how to craft emails that strike the right tone for maximum readability and impact.

Online Course 34 mins Beginner
LinkedIn Learning Tips for better business writing

A short course for planning more effective business writing that is concise, engaging and streamlined.

Online Course 28 mins Intermediate
LinkedIn Learning Advanced Grammar

How to be grammatically correct by understanding the how's and why's of grammar.

Online Course 2 hours 8 mins Advanced

Spoken communication

When communicating verbally:

  • engage your audience with eye contact, body language and other non-verbal cues
  • create engaging, persuasive or effective presentations.
Provider Resource Location Type Time Skill level
LinkedIn Learning Alan Alda and the art and science of relating

This video explores the three rules of three when communicating with others. A great way to think about how you communicate and help you be better understood.

Online Resource < 4 mins Beginner
LinkedIn Learning Making small talk

How to make a conversation using 5 simple steps

Online Resource < 4 mins Intermediate
LinkedIn Learning Communicating with confidence

Learn techniques to communicate more confidently in public speaking situations.

Online Course 1 hour 16 mins Intermediate
LinkedIn Learning Developing your talking points

Learn how to formulate a spoken message that communicates a recognisable point of view.

Online Resource > 4 mins Advanced
LinkedIn Learning Speaking Up at Work

Want to ensure that your best ideas are heard by the right people? This course helps you effectively tailor communications and actively build your authority when speaking to people on video or in person.

Online Course 22 mins General

Active listening

When receiving a message:

  • observe to interpret both verbal and non-verbal cues from the speaker
  • check your interpretation of those cues with the speaker.
Provider Resource Location Type Time Skill level
LinkedIn Learning How to let them know you've heard them

Create more authentic interpersonal relationships through active listening and taking further demonstratable action.

Online Resource > 3 mins Intermediate
LinkedIn Learning Improving your Listening Skills

How to listen well, adopt a listening mindset, and let someone know you've heard them.

Online Course 1h 30 mins Intermediate
LinkedIn Learning Becoming an active listener

This course supports managers to become active listeners through a coaching lens.

Online Resource < 4 mins Intermediate
LinkedIn Learning Effective Listening

This course has tools to self-assess your listening ability and help you identify the obstacles you need to overcome in a 30 day listening challenge.

Online Course 1h 4 mins General

Communication medium

  • choose the best medium to convey your message and meet your audience's needs
  • adhere to the conventions and accessibility requirements of that medium.
Provider Resource Location Type Time Skill level
TMR Comms Hub Writing for the web

This intranet page provides an overview of how to write effectiely for the web, including 'Tips and tricks' and links to relevant TMR guides and standards.

Online Resource > 5 mins General
TMR Comms Hub How to be social

This intranet page is the TMR guide to planning, creating and posting content on social media. It also includes helpful examples and resources that you can use.

Online Resource 10 mins General
TMR Comms Hub Basic photography

Learn from our internal Graphic Design team on how to compose and capture great photos. They also answer some common questions on photo consent forms.

Online Resource 1 hr 20 mins Beginner
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