1st Edition

The Handbook of Communication Training A Best Practices Framework for Assessing and Developing Competence

Edited By J Wallace, Dennis Becker Copyright 2019

    Communication remains a significant topic for job acquisition, development, and advancement. As such, there are no shortage of classes, seminars and books written on the subject. However, there are few designed for the corporate consultant that are not aligned with some proprietary system, traditional academic classrooms, or author’s speculation. These tend to be either inaccessible, questionable in their content, or specifically aligned with the producers’ interests. So where can the Communication trainers and consultants go to focus on fundamental touchstone research and practices?

    The Handbook of Communication Training is a powerful template, and first of its kind, for communication practitioners and academicians who wish to strengthen their professional capabilities. It also acts as a guide and standard for consumers and clients of these services.

    The chapters within are an outgrowth of the National Communication Association’s Training & Development Division’s desire to provide guidance, structure, and support for members and non-members alike. It is specifically targeted at those pursuing best practices regarding communication consulting, coaching, teaching and training. The 7 Best Practices presented in this book represent capabilities that are foundational to the effective transfer of communication promotion and skill enhancement. As such, these practices, and supporting chapters, should appeal to novice and experts alike.

    Acknowledgements, List of Contributors, Introduction, Best Practices for Communication Training, Best Practice 1 – Maintain Transparency to Clients and Trainees, Chapter 1 Mobilizing a Client for Change: Best Practices for Proposing Training, Jennifer H. Waldeck Phd, Chapter 2 Communication Training’s Higher Calling: Using a Civic Frame to Promote Transparency and Elevate the Value of Services, Don Waisanen, PhD, Chapter 3 The F-word changes a circular message: Linking a profession’s history to communication training’s unique organizational role. Robin Smith Mathis PhD, Best Practice 2 – Use Assessable Methods, Chapter 4 Help, Communication Is Broken and We Need Training! How Diagnosing the Organizational Needs Leads to Better Interventions, Outcomes and Profit, Jeffrey L. Stafford, PhD, Michelle Hege, MA, Amber Barnes, MA, Greta R. Underhill, MA, Hannah R. Seagrave, MA, Chapter 5 Greater Alignment, Greater Success: Communication Needs Assessments and Training Program Assessments. Piyawan Charoensap-Kelly, , Chapter 6 Observational assessment at the core of your communication training program: Authentic design and use of observational survey instruments, Jessica Parker-Raley PhD, Amber N. Finn PhD, Best Practice 3 – Demonstrate Technology Proficiency, Chapter 7 Online Training Tools in an Interconnected World. Michael G. Strawser PhD, Marjorie M. Buckner PhD, Renee Kaufmann PhD, Chapter 8 Mobile Devices in Training: What are our Trainees Doing and What Can Trainers Do? Keri K. Stephens, Ph.D., Brett W. Robertson, M.A., Chapter 9 Best Practices in Slide Design. Lori B. Miraldi MA, Peter N. Miraldi PhD, Chapter 10 Training in a Flash: Considerations of Learning Outcomes and Storytelling in Building Webinar Training. Donna M. Elkins PhD, Robin Hinkle PhD, Hope Zoeller EdD, , Best Practice 4 – Demonstrate Professional Development., Chapter 11 Career and Professional Development as Levels of Engagement in the Communication Training and Development Field. Ross Brinkert, Chapter 12 The Communication Trainer as Bricoleur, Craig Engstrom, Ph.D., Michael Forst, M.A., Lacey Corey Brown, M.A., Chapter 13 Deliberate Practice Activities of Communication Professionals and Implications for Training and Consulting. Helen Lie, Ed.D., Chapter 14 Professional Development. Lisa Waite, MA, Best Practice 5 – Develop and Maintain Organizational Expertise, Chapter 15 From Training to Performance Improvement: Using a Holistic Approach to Demonstrate Organizational Expertise and Achieve. John E. Burk PhD, Thomas A. Birk PhD, Chapter 16 The Role of Communication Theory in Leadership Training and Development. Ralph A. Gigliotti, PhD, Brent D. Ruben, PhD, Best Practice 6 – Demonstrate Effective and Appropriate Instructional Design, Chapter 17 Best Practices of Training Instructional Design: The Needs-Centered Training Model, Steven A. Beebe, PhD, Chapter 18 Debriefing: Enhancing Skill Acquisition and Transfer of Learning during Training. Marjorie M. Buckner PhD, Amber N. Finn PhD, Chapter 19 Instructional Design Training as Instruction: Delivering Instruction for the Adult Learner. Robert J. Sidelinger PhD , Chapter 20 Training Trainers Growth Mindset Messaging: The Role of Implicit Person Theory on Training. Elissa A. Adame, Ph.D., Chapter 21 Belbin Team Roles: Assessing Behavioral Interaction to Improve Communication. DeeDee Smartt Lynch, President, Smartt Strategies, Mike Lynch, Chief Operations Officer, Smartt Strategies, Cody M. Clemens, M.A., Chapter 22 Operationalizing Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle: A User-friendly Template for Instructional Design and Self-Assessment. Kristen A. McIntyre, PhD, Belynda Dix, MA, Marian L. Ward, MA., Best Practice 7 – Demonstrate Communication Proficiency, Chapter 23 The Communication Skills of an Effective Trainer. Seth S. Frei, MA, Steven A. Beebe, PhD, Chapter 24 Re-Motivating Monroe, Click-Whirr: Social Suasion and the Motivated Sequence. Jay Baldwin, Chapter 25 The Use of Humor and Storytelling Skills as a Best Practice in Demonstrating Communication Proficiency. Dakota C. Horn, Robin Golinski, Chapter 26 Effectively Integrating Group Techniques to Develop Communication Proficiency. Kristine M. Nicolini, PhD, DeAnne Priddis, PhD, Chapter 27 Incorporating Cosmopolitan Communication into Diverse Teaching and Training Contexts: Considerations from Our Work with Military Students and Veterans. Susan Steen, PhD, Lauren Mackenzie, PhD, Barton Buechner, PhD, Chapter 28 Social and Cultural Diversity in Training and Group Facilitation. Sara DeTurk PhD, Index.

    Biography

    J. D. Wallace, PhD, is a Professor of Communication at Abilene Christian University. Past works include over 100 national/international presentations and publications with a special emphasis on training and development. Professionally, an award-winning scholar and teacher with numerous consultations in profit and non-profit organizations.

    Dennis Becker, PhD, founded The Speech Improvement Company, the nation’s oldest Speech Coaching firm. In addition to having taught at Harvard and MIT, Dennis consults and coaches worldwide. This book is his sixth on communication and represents his continuing effort to strengthen the quality of communication training.

    "This book will help anyone who wishes to develop the skills of communication coaching and Dr Dennis Becker has the experience and personal style to guide that development. Dr Dennis is a witty, intelligent, kind, and a very personable leader in the field of human communication. He is a veteran coach whose talents have given solace and strength to men and women throughout the world. I have no hesitation witnessing his professionalism in this important field of human growth."

    Majed Salem Al Romaithi, Senior Executive, Mid-East Investment Firm

     

    "This is a must-have resource for any communication trainer. The Handbook of Communication Training is indispensable for all communication trainers or educators who seek real-world, research-based best practices for designing and delivering communication training. Organized around the best training practices of the National Communication Association Training and Development Division, this masterfully crafted book offers a comprehensive compendium of practical tips, strategies, and techniques to make communication training successful."

    Steven A. Beebe, PhD, Regents’ and University Distinguished Professor, Texas State University, Past President, National Communication Association

     

    "Drawing on a broad array of professional expertise, Wallace and Becker have compiled a truly excellent training resource. From proposal development to managing institutional culture to multimedia design, this volume delightfully intersects the theory and practice of training, presenting useful techniques with solid contextual background. If you are interested in making the most of a training initiative, in ramping up the quality of existing processes, or in educating new practitioners, this is an invaluable resource."

    Star A. Muir, Associate Professor, George Mason University