Connecting with others through diplomacy and tact

Overview

Communication means building connections. Creating connections requires knowing the perspectives of other people. The first step in creating connections in an elegant way is to see others as human beings. We must recognize that an egocentric perspective can be a barrier to reducing the distance between us and others. Another barrier to communication is the inability to recognize that our way of seeing the world is not the only way; we cannot assume that those with whom we communicate see things the same way. It is also important to understand how our subjectivity, stereotypes, and expertise can become barriers to effective communication. The essence of tactful communication and diplomacy is to overcome these barriers and relate to the minds of others. In this course, you will explore ways to develop empathy for others, to position yourself, and to remove personal subjectivity.

Objectives

Identify the best strategies for relating to others

Identify methods of self-positioning and self-defeat

Identify and combat personal subjectivity

Ability to interact with others tactfully and diplomatically