CETL504 - Collaborative Communication for Technology Leaders

Course Description

Leaders need to be able to collaborate, innovate, problem solve, and build relationships. All of these core responsibilities require excellent communication skills. Often when thinking of leaders, we picture them addressing crowds, giving directives, and commanding forces. Leaders need to be able to do those things, but they also need to be top-notch listeners and have the ability to use a variety of communication tactics at the right times.

In this course, Professor Erica Dawson, Ph.D., the Nancy and Bob Selander Director of Engineering Leadership Programs at Cornell University, will break down critical skills that facilitate collaborative communication. She will guide you as you practice and apply these techniques.

Many of the skills in this course, including listening and asking powerful questions, are core to strong interpersonal communication. These skills help you establish, improve, and maintain relationships. You will focus on workplace examples, but these skills are applicable outside of the workplace as well. Many of the skills are hard to learn and even harder to make a habit. Your life outside of work will impact your work and your ability to have good relationships. Mastering these communication skills and learning to leverage them to create open and collaborative communication is key to the future of any leader.

Faculty Author

Benefits to the Learner

• Apply advanced listening skills to enhance relationships and productivity
• Appropriately use powerful questions
• Incorporate specific spoken phrases to increase team innovation and productivity
• Recognize factors that interfere with effective communication
• Adapt advanced techniques for everyday interaction

Target Audience

• Emerging and experienced technology leaders
• Managers and directors of web services, software development, and IT teams
• Early to mid-career technology professionals looking to move into a leadership role
• Chief Technology Officers
• Business leaders who work with technology professionals
• Graduate students transitioning from an academic track to an industry track

Accrediting Associations

• Project Management Institute (PMI) Approval Number 2646JFWFLK 10.0 Units