Transition in. Move into "8 Essential Communication Skills — Part 2 (Skills 5–8)" by linking it to the previous slide. Give the group a one-sentence "why this matters" before walking through the points below. Talking points (walk through each in order): 1. Skill 5 — Open-Ended Questions. Use the TED framework to go deeper — "Tell me more." / "Explain what you mean." / "Define that term for me." These phrases (from HR expert Jennifer Currence) surface thoughtful responses and reveal what employees actually need from you to succeed. Facilitator tip: say this in your own words, then ask the group for a real example of "skill 5 — open-ended questions" from their own team before moving on. 2. Skill 6 — Empathy. Empathy is ranked the #1 leadership skill for success. 96% of employees say it's important for employers to demonstrate empathy — yet 92% say it remains undervalued. Acknowledge and understand what employees feel and experience. The more heard and valued they feel, the stronger and more productive your culture becomes. Facilitator tip: say this in your own words, then ask the group for a real example of "skill 6 — empathy" from their own team before moving on. 3. Skill 7 — Open Body Language. 93% of communication's impact comes from nonverbal cues (executive coach Darlene Price). Make eye contact to establish interest and rapport. Flash a genuine smile to convey warmth and trust. Clenched fists and a furrowed brow will undermine your verbal message — no matter how good your words are. Facilitator tip: say this in your own words, then ask the group for a real example of "skill 7 — open body language" from their own team before moving on. 4. Skill 8 — Receive and Implement Feedback. Asking for feedback from your team builds trust AND helps you grow as a leader — but only if you act on it. If employees give feedback and see no change, they lose faith in your ability to follow through. Be transparent about what you can't immediately act on. Let employees know they were heard, then update them on progress. Facilitator tip: say this in your own words, then ask the group for a real example of "skill 8 — receive and implement feedback" from their own team before moving on. Engage the room. Invite a participant to paraphrase the key idea back to the room to confirm understanding. Timing & transition. Aim for roughly 5–6 minutes on this slide. When the points have landed, transition forward with a short bridge such as "Now that we've covered 8 essential communication skills — part 2 (skills 5–8), let's look at what comes next."

Speaker Notes · Slide 1

Core Communication & Active Listening