Training courses

Dave Burgener Solutions in Communications provides a range of training courses to meet your needs.

Effective Communication I

1.5 hour session
Provides a foundation for effective interpersonal communication. Introduction to 5 key communication skills, and discussion of how/ when to apply them within your own context.

Effective Communication II

3 – 4 hours
Builds on the skills covered in Effective Communication I through an introduction to principles of conflict resolution. The course is designed to increase participants awareness of their own approach to conflict, the opportunity to consider alternative approaches, and a discussion of which approach to take in a given circumstance.

Communicating Consciously in Conflict Situation

1 or 2 day workshop (can be condensed or extended as required)
Communicating Consciously in Conflict Situations is for people who would like to improve their ability to engage constructively in conversations that matter. The course is designed to provide practical skills that participants can apply within their own contexts. Participants will also be supported to ‘step-back’ and observe the effect dominant patterns of communication (such as giving advice, or wanting to be right) have in daily life, and to explore alternative forms of relating. Participants will be introduced to principles of conflict transformation, facilitation, negotiation, dialogue, as well as Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communication. The course also aims to cultivate increased self-awareness of one’s own relationship to conflict through a series of contemplative practices. Particular focus will be placed on making intentional/ conscious decisions in the face of difficult situations.

Key Points:

1. Effective Communication; Introduction to 5 key communication skills.

2. Conflict Resolution; Reflecting on one’s relationship to conflict, introduction to Dual Concern model, Distributive vs. Integrative approach to negotiation.

3. Non-violent communication; Expressing feelings and needs, providing empathy (to self and others), De-escalating conflict.

4. Mindfulness; Reducing stress, maintaining uplifted emotional states, increased mental clarity/ composure.

Facilitating Group Dialogue

1/2 day or full day session

Facilitating Group Dialogue will introduce you to the principles of effective dialogue facilitation. You will gain practical experience of these principles by engaging with a range of group dialogue processes proven to work in corporate, public, and community contexts. Along the way you will learn how to structure dialogue in different ways, the importance of prescriptive guidelines, and gain experience of how and when to intervene in a way that suits your personality and interpersonal style.

This course can also be used as a team building or problem-solving workshop within an organisation or community (i.e. participants learn facilitation skills while at the same time addressing particular issues on their “to do” list).

Find out why more people are turning to facilitated dialogue to support decision making, enhanced creativity, as well as to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external clients.

Key processes considered:

  • Conversation Cafés
  • World Café
  • Bohmian Dialogue
  • Open-Space Technology.