Advanced communication skills training ideas for L&D pros

Poor communication is the silent killer of morale—and productivity. You've covered the basics of communication skills: active listening, non-verbal cues, and the art of not sending passive-aggressive emails. But… in a world where Slack channels are noisier than a heavy metal concert, you need some advanced techniques to cut through the chaos.

Elevating communication skills training beyond the basics

The landscape of communication skills training is shifting (tell me something I don't know, right?). Long seminars and generic approaches are out. You need a nimble, powerful way to create, deliver, and measure bite-sized content that reaches the right person at the right time. Enter microlearning: your secret weapon for communication skills training that actually sticks.

AI-driven role-play: Your virtual improv troupe

Forget awkward role-playing exercises that make everyone want to hide under their desks. AI-driven role-play is here to save the day (and your team's dignity). 7taps offers a Role-Play card feature that creates dynamic, realistic scenarios for your learners. It's like having a virtual improv troupe at your fingertips, minus all the yes and-ing.

Here's how you can use it:

1. You design a series of role-play scenarios demonstrating conflict resolution strategies.
2. Your learners watch these AI-generated convos and then respond to targeted quizzes or polls to reinforce their understanding and retention.

This approach makes learning interactive and provides safe practice of advanced communication skills in a controlled environment. No more sweaty palms or awkward silences.

Microlearning modules: Bite-sized brilliance

While you could teach an entire college semester course on Communication Skills, you want to give your learners this training in a way that’s easy to understand and implement. That means targeted microlearning modules. 

Focus on specific communication skills such as:

1. Emotional intelligence in leadership communication
2. Cross-cultural communication strategies for global teams
3. Persuasive communication techniques for high-stakes presentations
4. Advanced active listening skills for Zoom meetings (it's more than just nodding and saying "uh-huh")

These bite-sized lessons allow learners to master a specific aspect of communication, leading to better retention and application in real-world scenarios. It's like a communication skills buffet – take what you need, leave the rest for later.

Speaking of… have you seen our new completion-based delivery feature? We've set up a special learning path on spaced learning just for you.

Leveraging user-generated content for authentic learning

You know that real-world practice is crucial. That's where user-generated content comes in. With 7taps, learners can upload their own voice or video samples, creating a personalized and authentic learning experience.

Self-reflection and peer review: amplifying learning

Challenge your learners to record themselves practicing various communication scenarios. They can then upload these recordings to the platform for self-reflection or peer review. This approach:

1. Provides real-world practice opportunities
2. Boosts self-awareness as learners see and hear themselves
3. Facilitates peer-to-peer learning and feedback, fostering a collaborative environment (and, at the same time, helping them practice these new communication skills!)

Building a communication skills repository

As learners upload their samples, you're creating a valuable repository of real-world communication examples. Use this resource in future training sessions to showcase best practices and areas for improvement from within your own organization.

Microlearning in action: Premier Listings case study

Let's look at how these advanced techniques work in practice. Premier Listings, a Florida-based real estate company, recently overhauled their sales training for over 100 agents using 7taps' microlearning platform.

Jordana Tobel, the company's founder, explains: "It's a way more effective way for an agent to learn a script rather than memorizing it. We break it up into little pieces where they can address the opening line, the questions, and the closing technique separately."

Their approach included:

1. Breaking complex sales scripts into manageable, bite-sized modules
2. Using real-life conversation recordings to create authentic learning materials
3. Challenging agents to upload improved versions of sales pitches
4. Implementing a 30-day microlearning program for new hires to reduce information overload

The results? Improved engagement with training materials, better understanding of content, and increased confidence in client interactions.

Implementing advanced communication skills training in your org

Ready to apply these innovative approaches? Here are your next steps:

1. Audit your current training: Identify where traditional methods are falling short and could benefit from a microlearning approach.
2. Develop a microlearning strategy: Plan how to break down complex communication skills into targeted, bite-sized modules.
3. Leverage technology: Implement platforms like 7taps that offer AI role-play, user-generated content uploads, and interactive quizzes.
4. Demand active participation: Design training that requires learners to practice and demonstrate their skills, not just consume information.
5. Embrace continuous learning: Use drip-feeding techniques to deliver content over time, reinforcing learning and preventing overwhelm.

The future of communication skills training

Your goal isn't just to teach communication skills, but to fundamentally improve how your team communicates in high-stakes, real-world situations. With microlearning, you're equipping your team with practical tools to become master communicators. Who knows? You might even make meetings fun. (Okay, let's not get crazy here.)

With 7taps in your toolkit, you'll be well on your way to becoming the L&D leader your organization needs (and deserves). Uplevel your team’s communication skills. Try 7taps free.

Additional resources:

• Boost corporate communication with microlearning: from strategy to tools
• How to write microlearning content with the 5 B’s framework
• Driving learner engagement with microlearning
• New microlearning product updates, available in 7taps
• Track learner progress using Single Sign-On
• Set up automated learning campaigns with 7taps learning paths
• Gamify your next microlearning project
• Orchestrate your microlearning pilot‍
• Module based training using microlearning