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August Webinar Recap

Click here for the link to the webinar recording!

We were thrilled to host a fantastic August webinar with communication expert Andy Bay, who shared invaluable insights on enhancing communication skills both within your team and in leadership roles. A big thank you to Andy for offering such practical advice and strategies for improving our professional interactions!

Key Takeaways from the Webinar

1. Master Communication Skills in the Office

Andy Bay delved into the essential communication skills needed to thrive in a collaborative office environment. The discussion covered:

  • Active Listening: Learn to truly listen to your teammates, not just hearing their words but understanding their underlying messages and emotions. Andy emphasized that active listening can prevent misunderstandings and build stronger, more cohesive teams.
  • Non-Verbal Communication: Non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, play a crucial role in how messages are received. Andy highlighted how to use these signals effectively to enhance your communication and avoid misinterpretations.
  • Resolving Conflict: Conflict is inevitable in any collaborative environment, but how you handle it can make a significant difference. Andy provided strategies for addressing conflicts constructively, using communication as a tool to resolve issues and foster a positive work atmosphere.

2. Effective Leadership Communication

Andy also explored the key communication skills required for effective leadership:

  • Inspiring and Motivating Your Team: Great leaders know how to communicate in ways that inspire and motivate their team members. Andy shared techniques for delivering messages that energize your team and align them with your vision.
  • Balancing Assertiveness with Empathy: Effective leaders must balance being assertive with showing empathy. Andy discussed how to assert your ideas and decisions while also demonstrating understanding and compassion towards your team members. This balance is crucial for building trust and respect within your team.

Stay tuned for more BYU Connect events and continue developing your professional skills. We look forward to seeing you at our next webinar! Until then, put these communication strategies into practice and watch your career soar.

Andy Bay

Andy Bay has worked in publishing, content development, and communications in the private sector (and more recently at BYU) for more than 30 years. His experience ranges from managing a successful business of electronic research databases in the K–16 education/library market to producing a storytelling radio show; and from teaching writing, international relations, and Afrikaans at BYU to being a communications manager for BYU Alumni Relations and editor of the alumni section of Y Magazine. Andy earned a BA in Humanities and an MA in English from BYU.