Russian shelling of Odesa did not prevent the participants of the “Action in Hope” mini-MBA program from learning effective communication

The second day of training was devoted to effective communication, one of the key competencies of managers, teams, and community leaders. Participants analysed how the communication process is formed, which factors influence the understanding of a message, and why even a correctly phrased thought is not always perceived as intended by the sender.

Special attention was paid to the causes of communication barriers. During the sessions, they examined common errors in transmitting information, the impact of personal beliefs and experience on its perception, as well as ways to avoid distortion or loss of the message’s content. Participants learned to consider the individual characteristics of their interlocutor and structure communication to achieve mutual understanding.

The practical part of the training was dedicated to developing active listening skills. Participants practiced techniques of clarifying, summarizing, asking questions, and providing feedback, which help to better understand an interlocutor and make communication more constructive. They also covered the rules of expressing and receiving criticism, using “I-messages” in difficult conversations, and selecting communication strategies depending on the situation.

During the classes, participants also explored different behavioural styles in communication and concluded that the assertive interaction model—combining respect for one’s own position with respect for the interlocutor—is the most effective. A separate section was dedicated to building trust in communication and developing the skills necessary for effective teamwork and community interaction.