Effective communication is critical to everyone’s success.
Effective communication is essential for success – for lawyers and staff. It involves various skills, including listening, speaking, writing, and selecting the appropriate mode of communication.
This 15-module digital learning series is designed to help everyone at all levels in the firm – both staff and lawyers – develop their communication skills.
Created for both lawyers and staff.
Equip everyone to communicate with confidence.
How can new associates learn to communicate clearly and professionally?
What does “communicating proactively” mean and how do you go about doing it?
Which communication channels are appropriate for different types of communications?
How can active listening help you be a more effective communicator?
How can you solicit more meaningful feedback so you can continue to learn and grow?
How can you provide feedback to others that will encourage rather than discourage them?
How can you improve your confidence when faced with a difficult conversation?
How can you effectively deal with conflicts you may encounter in the workplace?
What do your word choices convey about your confidence and competence?
And many more…
This series addresses questions such as:
Elevate the communication skills of your lawyers and staff.
This series includes the following SkillBursts, each running approximately 3-18 minutes in duration. Each course was designed just for law firms, can be branded to the firm, and is customizable – so you can tailor the details to the specifics of your firm’s culture, environment, and expectations.
Communicate! Part 1: Preferences and Channels (11 minutes) |
You know how important communication is in your practice. And you know that senior lawyers expect you to communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively. But what does that mean exactly and how do you do it? In this module, part one of a two-part series, we explore communication preferences and how you can optimize your use of the communication channels available in the firm. |
Communicate! Part 2: Being Proactive (9 minutes) |
Communicating proactively with senior lawyers, peers, and clients is a highly valued trait in the firm. But what does “communicating proactively” actually mean? And how do you go about doing it? In this module, part 2 of a two-part series, we explore the importance of anticipating the need others have for information and take a deeper dive into how you can be a more proactive communicator in your day-to-day practice. |
Communication Skills: Listen Up! - Lawyer Edition + Staff Edition (9 minutes) |
To improve the quality of your relationships, build a foundation of trust and respect, and interact with others in a way that fosters a greater sense of inclusivity there is one fundamental rule that applies. In this module we encourage some interactive self-reflection on your communication habits and beliefs, explore the fundamental rule of communication, and explore practical tips for putting it into practice. |
Inviting and Embracing Feedback (18 minutes) |
To grow and progress – personally and professionally – we need feedback. Not just the once-a-year “annual performance evaluation” type of feedback – but frequent, timely, and meaningful feedback that can help us to regularly assess what we are doing well and what we could be doing better. Yet the majority of us don’t receive as much feedback as we would like and the feedback we do get isn’t particularly constructive. In this module we’ll explore specific actionable steps you can take to prepare for, solicit, receive, embrace, and act on meaningful feedback. |
Delivering Effective Feedback - Lawyer Edition + Staff Edition (14 minutes each) |
Deliver feedback well and you can inspire others and drive strong performance that benefits both the individual and the firm. Don't deliver it well - or don't deliver it all - and it can have the opposite effect. Whether or not you serve in a supervisory role, you interact with peers, assistants, and other support staff regularly assigning tasks or working together to accomplish shared objectives. You have the power to influence their motivation and performance through the feedback you provide. In this module we'll explore 10 tips for providing feedback that can sustain or lead to great performance. |
Difficult Conversations (8 minutes) |
Difficult conversations are a reality of the workplace. Avoiding these conversations can have negative consequences - for you, your colleagues, and the firm. When we view these conversations as opportunities rather than obligations, we can use them as tools to strengthen relationships and make a positive impact. In this module you'll learn how to apply the "Seven A's" and face difficult conversations head-on to get the best results. |
Understanding Conflict Styles (11 minutes) |
Effective conflict management requires awareness - of different conflict styles, of your own conflict style preferences, and the conflict styles of others. Those who handle conflict well effectively assess each situation and make a conscious decision about which conflict style to use, adjusting their approach to fit the specific situation. In this module we take a closer look at conflict styles so you can make a conscious decision on the style you'll use when facing your next conflict. |
Practical Tips for Managing Workplace Conflict (13 minutes) |
Conflict in the workplace is inevitable. Learning how to deal with conflict when it arises will serve you well throughout your career and help you demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. In this module we explore practical tips for managing conflict when it inevitably arises. |
The Language of Leadership: Words Matter (12 minutes) |
The way you communicate says a lot about you. With some word choices you convey confidence, authority, and leadership. With others you may undermine your authority, send mixed signals, or plant seeds of doubt... without even realizing it. In this module we'll explore some fundamental rules of leadership communication and a variety of commonly-used words and phrases that might be holding you back. |
Managing Remote Teams: Communication (9 minutes) |
These days it is increasingly rare for entire teams to exist in a single geographic location. The colleagues we work with and rely on each day can be widely dispersed – across offices and even across time zones. Managing teams of this nature introduces a unique set of challenges. In this module we’ll examine and hone in on one of the most critical and often one of the most challenging aspects of leading remote teams: Communication. |
Communicating with Storytelling (12 minutes) |
Storytelling can be a pivotal skill for effective legal advocacy engaging audiences from the courtroom to the conference room. How can you leverage the art of storytelling to make complex or mundane concepts accessible and compelling? In this module you'll explore the art of crafting engaging narratives and learn why storytelling is not just an art but a strategic tool. |
Writing Effective Emails (16 minutes) |
The emails you write say a lot about you… for better or for worse. In this module we explore how to draft emails that are easy to read and understand and that demonstrate your professionalism, your clarity of thought, and your ability to communicate effectively and respectfully of others’ time. |
Communicating with Your Team in a Time of Uncertainty (3 minutes) |
Communicating with your team is always important. But in times of uncertainty and rapid change its importance is amplified. In times like these your workforce needs to hear from you. They are looking for reassurance, for clarity, for direction, and for hope. How can you rise to the challenge and provide what they need amid the uncertainty? Start with these five fundamentals. |
Everything you need to elevate your communication skills.
Series includes
15 modules designed just for law firms
Optional firm branding of each course
Optional customization of each course
Accompanying job aids or handouts with most courses
Facilitator guides so you can leverage the digital courses into expanded live, personalized training discussions
Delivery of courses as SCORM files for hosting on your LMS or through our web-based training platform
Printable certificates of completion (when hosted on our platform)
Pricing
Pricing for this pre-packaged series is based on the firm size and the duration of the subscription. Two-year and three-year subscriptions are available. The more series you license, the more you save! Contact us for limited-time preview access and a firm-specific quote today.
Optional Add-On: Custom-Developed Courses
Looking for even more to round out the Communication Skills topics you provide to your lawyers and staff? Let us develop a firm-specific course – or series of courses - just for you.
Flexible Delivery Options
If you leverage our platform, we’ll provide a firm-branded, web-accessible site featuring all of the modules you’ve licensed. You’ll also have access to an easy-to-use Administrative Control Panel, through which you can easily add new users, organize them into groups, send email announcements and assignments, and run reports on usage.
User access is straightforward and intuitive. And automated reminders and reporting capabilities make administration a breeze.
And if you’ve got your own Learning Management System (LMS) that you’d prefer to host the courses on, we can accommodate that, too.