537 Communication courses in Falkirk

Our Team Building Programmes are 'simply excellent' (quote from Unilever). They always deliver much greater energy' motivation and efficiently accelerates to a galvanised, integrated team for their Manager/Team Leader. They're great fun and very commercially orientated - the best of both key elements to a successful and long-lasting high performance team. A successful company is always made up of successful teams. Teams that can work autonomously with a clearly defined set of goals, roles, vision, responsibility and culture will always reach for and achieve far greater success than a team that works just as a group of individuals. Our team building solutions are individually built and geared towards teams at any level within an organisation, providing an independent and objective perspective to promote a common purpose such as the creation of a 'high performance team'. Out With The Old Traditionally, team building events have been restricted to certain levels of management where they head off site for a bit of archery, quad biking and paintballing or something along those lines. Then over some coffee and cocktails, business plans and more efficient ways to work are casually discussed. Whilst being out having fun instead of being at work may improve an individual person's mood, the effect will only be short-term, and will not go far in creating permanent and cohesive teams who are able to overcome challenges together and drive the business forward when back in the workplace. In With The New Today's business thinking is more strategic and certainly has to look for returns on the investment. That is why Dickson Training Ltd's team building programmes are bespoke and built to your requirements through research, understanding your business and, most importantly, what results and achievements you are looking to get out of the programme. Once "what success looks like" has been established, we create tasks and activities that will test your leadership, problem solving, communication and team work skills. When the tasks have been completed, the learning - both practical and theory - is debriefed to the group as well as how it will translate back in your business. Not only are our events great fun, but they provide participants with learning points they can act upon to improve or enhance the working practices/environment. Team Building That Gets Results We have a highly innovative team who design team builds to suit all budgets and time or space restrictions. Large or small, we will develop the perfect event to meet your commercial objectives, keeping in line with your values and company culture. More recently we have combined team galvanising events with ways to engage the participants with and support their local communities. This solution has proved extremely popular with our clients and we are continuing to develop more and more programmes doing exactly this. " Phil did everything in a very professional and focused manner, without losing sight of the overall aims or having 'fun'. When I moved to Airbus UK and subsequently European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), I had no hesitation in recommending Phil and the team to deliver the required training and team events.  Without doubt Phil and his team are excellent providers of training, to suit even bespoke requirements, and I would not hesitate in recommending the team to any business in the future. " Glenn Brown, Systems & Expertise Manager, Airbus Personnel Service Augmented Skills – an Essay by Phil Dickson All of you, who are reading this, and all the people you meet and work with will have – ‘Augmented Skills’. So – if you are an IT Engineer or a Pharmacist; perhaps you are, or know, a Departmental Leader and you work with a Logistics Project Manager; these roles will demand core skills, whether they be technical know-how or qualifications in the discipline. But to be that bit better; more reliable; more effective & productive and therefore more valuable and, frankly, marketable – capitalizing on ‘Augment Skills’ comes into play. The I T Engineer who was a Chess Champion at Uni, which would indicate that they possess some key ‘Augmented skills’ including how they plan 3 steps ahead and are always prepared for the unexpected. The Pharmacist, who is a keen sportsperson in their private life, will likely be tenacious, team-orientated and disciplined – again these are superb qualities to have in this – or any – role. Your colleagues, as well as yourself, will have ‘Augmented Skills’ that will be an asset if only they are explored and applied to their role and indeed, career. Everyone has their own 'Super-power' If they love gardening, they are probably strategic, patient and inclined to research; if they cook or bake, they are usually well organized and comfortable with multi-tasking. A big reader will tend to be considered and possess good critical thinking faculties, and an amateur mechanic or keen DIY person will often be practical, resourceful and very determined. I have observed that many new Parents discover they have ‘Augmented Skills’ they didn’t know they had... such as getting order out of chaos and displaying industrial amounts of patience and good grace when they really do not feel like it. They very often become far more compassionate and empathetic. Most people have their very own ‘Superpower’. Invite your team members to offer their ‘Augmented Skills’ to your work-place – and just watch as it elevates the motivation levels and improves results. It’ll be very rewarding for all concerned – and for meeting the Team’s objectives, to encourage the person who is a talented artist to be a sounding board on some of the marketing imagery and layouts; for the team member who is great at Maths or resolving crosswords to be asked for their input to solving a problem that is causing logistical or operational headaches. Never exploit a Team member’s unique special skills at their expense I would like to stress, however, that it must never be an area where a team member gets exploited by harvesting their unique special skills to coerce them into taking on greater responsibilities and tasks without providing them with the commensurate salary and status. To do so would be immoral and, ultimately, counter-productive as it would lead to resentment and disenfranchisement. This is about encouraging people’s capability and inviting their input to boost confidence and enhance the team’s capability. Often, we need to be more than what our Job Description says It is also important to highlight that whatever a person’s role or function is – they will definitely need to have additional capabilities to be effective. The best example of this is when we designed and delivered a range of ‘Advanced Customer Care skills’ training sessions for the Met Office a few years ago…we met so many remarkably super-bright Meteorologists, many of whom were having to make significant adjustments to answering questions from Customers that seemed to be illogical and often, obtuse. It wasn’t enough for these Meteorologists to be highly skilled at interpreting data and identifying patterns – they needed ‘Augmented skills’ to make that information accessible to members of the public (and Council workers and Air Traffic controllers and Shipping agents) and many other people, as to what that particular weather system was going to be like in their area and at what time. They have to know how to ‘de-jargonise’ the material and provide succinct, clear, and yet temperate, descriptions without ever appearing exasperated, impatient or judgmental in response to sometimes quite silly questions. For a highly trained scientist – that can be counter-intuitive. Being Philosophical... and a wee bit pretentious At the risk of being a little Philosophical (and probably a wee bit pretentious) – in my own role of Trainer – my core skills have to include – being a very good communicator, an active listener and have innovative and engaging ways to convert an idea, or a model, into practical application that my Delegates and Clients gain tangible benefits from. This is how it applies to me... I really enjoy composing short, light classical-style piano pieces. Now, to do this well, you need to be able to find a transition from one chord or melody to a different theme or key. It has to be worked out very carefully to have incremental transitions and pleasant-sounding developments as the piece unfolds. I think I have become better at this as I have honed my skills as a composer. But I have realized that these very same skills have ‘Augmented’ my ability to help a Manager, or a Team, move from a state of conflict; tension; disfunction; disenfranchisement; lack of confidence to a place that is more harmonious with far greater productivity. The very same process of careful listening, considering options, taking well-considered steps, having a creative, sometimes brave, move towards a resolution are at play in both Training and Piano Compositions! Scheduled Courses Unfortunately this course is not one that is currently scheduled as an open course, and is only available on an in-house basis. Please contact us for more information.

The 3-hour Baby & Child First Aid class covers CPR, Choking, Bumps, Burns, Breaks, Bleeding, Febrile Seizures and Meningitis & Sepsis Awareness and will give everyone who attends the peace of mind they deserve.

RSPH level 2 Identifying and Controlling Food Allergy Risks Training Course Do you need an allergy trainer to come to your food business and teach your staff face to face about food and drink allergens, their dangers and how to control them? Our allergy trainer can come to your business and deliver this course at your business premises. Although we are based in London, we are happy to travel and deliver this course at your business location. (Trainer travel fees may be applicable depending on your location). Staff will receive interactive training and coaching on allergens and intolerances with an experienced trainer. We can also tweak the training to include issues you would like to cover. See our website for more details. Special offer for on-site allergy training. £250 plus £20pp includes RSPH exam fees (usually £350 plus £30pp) This course is suitable for any catering business such as restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafes, catering companies, cooks, self employed, artisans, event caterers and more. This course is also important for staff who are Front of House, who take customer orders and relay the orders to cooks and chefs and other people who are preparing food for customers who have allergies and or intolerances. This is a short one day training course, typically 9am-3pm. Topics covered include- Allergens, Allergen Identification, Cross contact, Cross Contamination, Allergic Reactions, Food Intolerances, Coeliac, Anaphylaxis, Natasha's Law, UK Food Safety Regulations, Allergy Controls, Substituting ingredients, Customer Communication and what to do in an Emergency. Contact us to book training.

Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Differentiate between coaching and mentoring and understand their unique purposes. Apply effective communication and active listening skills in developmental conversations. Use coaching models to guide structured conversations. Build trust and psychological safety in coaching and mentoring relationships. Create actionable development plans and track progress. Understand ethical boundaries and confidentiality. Course Outline Day 1: Foundations of Coaching and Mentoring Session 1: Introduction and Context What is coaching? What is mentoring? Key differences and when to use each Benefits to individuals and organisations Session 2: Core Skills for Effective Coaching and Mentoring Active listening Powerful questioning Giving and receiving feedback Empathy and emotional intelligence Session 3: Building Trust and Creating Psychological Safety Establishing rapport Confidentiality and ethical guidelines Setting boundaries and expectations Session 4: Coaching Models and Frameworks GROW Model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) OSKAR and CLEAR frameworks Practical application and role play Day 2: Practising and Embedding Coaching and Mentoring Session 5: The Coaching and Mentoring Conversation Structuring conversations Using real-life workplace examples Practice with feedback Session 6: Setting Goals and Development Plans SMART and CLEAR goal setting Creating growth-focused action plans Monitoring progress and accountability Session 7: Mentoring for Career and Leadership Development Mentor roles and responsibilities Supporting long-term growth and resilience Reverse mentoring and cross-generational partnerships Session 8: Embedding a Coaching and Mentoring Culture How to support coaching within your team or organisation Integrating into performance conversations Sustaining development through peer coaching and communities of practice Assessment and Evaluation Participation in discussions and practical activities Feedback on peer coaching/mentoring exercises Optional personal development plan submission Course Materials Provided Participant workbook Coaching and mentoring toolkit (templates, models, guides) Suggested reading and resource list

Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Differentiate between coaching and mentoring and understand their unique purposes. Apply effective communication and active listening skills in developmental conversations. Use coaching models to guide structured conversations. Build trust and psychological safety in coaching and mentoring relationships. Create actionable development plans and track progress. Understand ethical boundaries and confidentiality. Course Outline Day 1: Foundations of Coaching and Mentoring Session 1: Introduction and Context What is coaching? What is mentoring? Key differences and when to use each Benefits to individuals and organisations Session 2: Core Skills for Effective Coaching and Mentoring Active listening Powerful questioning Giving and receiving feedback Empathy and emotional intelligence Session 3: Building Trust and Creating Psychological Safety Establishing rapport Confidentiality and ethical guidelines Setting boundaries and expectations Session 4: Coaching Models and Frameworks GROW Model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) OSKAR and CLEAR frameworks Practical application and role play Day 2: Practising and Embedding Coaching and Mentoring Session 5: The Coaching and Mentoring Conversation Structuring conversations Using real-life workplace examples Practice with feedback Session 6: Setting Goals and Development Plans SMART and CLEAR goal setting Creating growth-focused action plans Monitoring progress and accountability Session 7: Mentoring for Career and Leadership Development Mentor roles and responsibilities Supporting long-term growth and resilience Reverse mentoring and cross-generational partnerships Session 8: Embedding a Coaching and Mentoring Culture How to support coaching within your team or organisation Integrating into performance conversations Sustaining development through peer coaching and communities of practice Assessment and Evaluation Participation in discussions and practical activities Feedback on peer coaching/mentoring exercises Optional personal development plan submission Course Materials Provided Participant workbook Coaching and mentoring toolkit (templates, models, guides) Suggested reading and resource list

Course Duration: 1 or 2 days (or modular format across 3–4 sessions) Target Audience: Team leaders, managers, project leads, HR professionals, and change champions responsible for initiating or supporting change within their teams or organisations. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the dynamics and psychology of organisational change. Apply change models to plan and implement change effectively. Communicate change with clarity and empathy. Anticipate and manage resistance to change. Sustain momentum and embed change in culture and practice. Course Outline Module 1: The Nature of Change Why change initiatives succeed or fail Types of organisational change (strategic, cultural, technological, etc.) The human side of change: uncertainty, fear, and motivation Change vs transformation Module 2: Change Management Models Lewin’s Change Model (Unfreeze–Change–Refreeze) Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) Choosing and applying the right model for your context Module 3: Planning and Leading Change Assessing readiness and mapping stakeholders Creating a compelling vision for change Developing a change plan and roadmap Roles and responsibilities of leaders and change agents Module 4: Communicating Through Change Crafting key messages and change narratives Communicating with transparency and empathy Engaging employees and addressing concerns Channels, timing, and frequency of communication Module 5: Managing Resistance and Building Buy-In Identifying sources of resistance Strategies to understand and reduce resistance Building coalitions and early adopters Creating participation and ownership Module 6: Embedding and Sustaining Change Reinforcement strategies and recognition Aligning systems, structures, and behaviours Monitoring progress and adjusting plans Measuring change success (KPIs, feedback loops) Module 7: Leading Yourself Through Change Emotional resilience and adaptability Supporting your team while navigating uncertainty Mindsets for change leadership Self-reflection and personal action plan Delivery Style Interactive workshops with case studies and real-life examples Group discussions, change simulations, and planning activities Practical tools and templates for immediate workplace use Course Materials Provided Participant workbook Change management templates (e.g. stakeholder map, change comms plan) Change models quick reference guide Personal action plan template Optional Add-ons Custom case study based on your organisation’s current change program Post-course coaching or implementation support Manager toolkit for cascading change conversations

Course Duration: Half-day, 1-day, or modular delivery over 2–3 sessions Target Audience: Managers, team leaders, HR professionals, and employees who want to foster trust, openness, and inclusivity within their teams or organisations. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the concept and importance of psychological safety. Recognise how psychological safety impacts team performance and wellbeing. Identify behaviours and practices that support or undermine psychological safety. Develop strategies to create inclusive, respectful, and open team cultures. Apply tools to encourage constructive feedback, innovation, and open dialogue. Course Outline Module 1: What is Psychological Safety? Definition and origin (Dr Amy Edmondson’s research) Why psychological safety matters: the business and human case Link between psychological safety, innovation, collaboration, and retention Misconceptions: It’s not about comfort or avoiding challenge Module 2: Assessing the Current Environment Signs of a psychologically safe vs unsafe environment Common team behaviours and leadership pitfalls Self-assessment: how psychologically safe is my team? Module 3: Building the Foundations The four stages of psychological safety: Inclusion safety Learner safety Contributor safety Challenger safety Role of trust, empathy, and emotional intelligence The leader’s role in creating safe environments Module 4: Practical Strategies to Foster Safety Encouraging open communication and constructive disagreement Creating space for risk-taking and vulnerability Responding to feedback and mistakes without blame Speaking up behaviours – how to model and support them Module 5: Embedding Psychological Safety into Team Culture Meeting practices that promote psychological safety How to give and receive feedback safely Inclusive decision-making and respectful challenge Recognising and rewarding candour and contribution Module 6: Leading with Psychological Safety Coaching conversations and active listening Managing difficult conversations and underperformance safely Supporting neurodiverse or marginalised voices Sustaining safety under pressure and during change Delivery Style Facilitated discussions and group work Role plays, reflection activities, and real-life scenarios Peer learning and action planning Optional pre-work or post-session surveys Course Materials Provided Participant workbook Psychological safety assessment toolkit Conversation starter guide Leadership checklist for building safety Personal and team action plan Optional Add-ons Team psychological safety assessments (anonymous survey) Post-course coaching or leadership debrief Co-delivery with DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) workshops Integration with feedback or team development programs

Course Duration: Half-day, 1-day, or modular delivery over 2–3 sessions Target Audience: Managers, team leaders, HR professionals, and employees who want to foster trust, openness, and inclusivity within their teams or organisations. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the concept and importance of psychological safety. Recognise how psychological safety impacts team performance and wellbeing. Identify behaviours and practices that support or undermine psychological safety. Develop strategies to create inclusive, respectful, and open team cultures. Apply tools to encourage constructive feedback, innovation, and open dialogue. Course Outline Module 1: What is Psychological Safety? Definition and origin (Dr Amy Edmondson’s research) Why psychological safety matters: the business and human case Link between psychological safety, innovation, collaboration, and retention Misconceptions: It’s not about comfort or avoiding challenge Module 2: Assessing the Current Environment Signs of a psychologically safe vs unsafe environment Common team behaviours and leadership pitfalls Self-assessment: how psychologically safe is my team? Module 3: Building the Foundations The four stages of psychological safety: Inclusion safety Learner safety Contributor safety Challenger safety Role of trust, empathy, and emotional intelligence The leader’s role in creating safe environments Module 4: Practical Strategies to Foster Safety Encouraging open communication and constructive disagreement Creating space for risk-taking and vulnerability Responding to feedback and mistakes without blame Speaking up behaviours – how to model and support them Module 5: Embedding Psychological Safety into Team Culture Meeting practices that promote psychological safety How to give and receive feedback safely Inclusive decision-making and respectful challenge Recognising and rewarding candour and contribution Module 6: Leading with Psychological Safety Coaching conversations and active listening Managing difficult conversations and underperformance safely Supporting neurodiverse or marginalised voices Sustaining safety under pressure and during change Delivery Style Facilitated discussions and group work Role plays, reflection activities, and real-life scenarios Peer learning and action planning Optional pre-work or post-session surveys Course Materials Provided Participant workbook Psychological safety assessment toolkit Conversation starter guide Leadership checklist for building safety Personal and team action plan Optional Add-ons Team psychological safety assessments (anonymous survey) Post-course coaching or leadership debrief Co-delivery with DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) workshops Integration with feedback or team development programs

Course Duration: 1 or 2 days (or modular format across 3–4 sessions) Target Audience: Team leaders, managers, project leads, HR professionals, and change champions responsible for initiating or supporting change within their teams or organisations. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the dynamics and psychology of organisational change. Apply change models to plan and implement change effectively. Communicate change with clarity and empathy. Anticipate and manage resistance to change. Sustain momentum and embed change in culture and practice. Course Outline Module 1: The Nature of Change Why change initiatives succeed or fail Types of organisational change (strategic, cultural, technological, etc.) The human side of change: uncertainty, fear, and motivation Change vs transformation Module 2: Change Management Models Lewin’s Change Model (Unfreeze–Change–Refreeze) Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) Choosing and applying the right model for your context Module 3: Planning and Leading Change Assessing readiness and mapping stakeholders Creating a compelling vision for change Developing a change plan and roadmap Roles and responsibilities of leaders and change agents Module 4: Communicating Through Change Crafting key messages and change narratives Communicating with transparency and empathy Engaging employees and addressing concerns Channels, timing, and frequency of communication Module 5: Managing Resistance and Building Buy-In Identifying sources of resistance Strategies to understand and reduce resistance Building coalitions and early adopters Creating participation and ownership Module 6: Embedding and Sustaining Change Reinforcement strategies and recognition Aligning systems, structures, and behaviours Monitoring progress and adjusting plans Measuring change success (KPIs, feedback loops) Module 7: Leading Yourself Through Change Emotional resilience and adaptability Supporting your team while navigating uncertainty Mindsets for change leadership Self-reflection and personal action plan Delivery Style Interactive workshops with case studies and real-life examples Group discussions, change simulations, and planning activities Practical tools and templates for immediate workplace use Course Materials Provided Participant workbook Change management templates (e.g. stakeholder map, change comms plan) Change models quick reference guide Personal action plan template Optional Add-ons Custom case study based on your organisation’s current change program Post-course coaching or implementation support Manager toolkit for cascading change conversations

Course Duration: 2 days (or modular format over 3–4 half-day sessions) Target Audience: New or aspiring trainers, facilitators, team leads, or subject-matter experts who deliver training or knowledge-sharing sessions. Course Objectives By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Understand the principles of adult learning and training design. Confidently plan and structure engaging training sessions. Deliver content clearly using effective facilitation techniques. Manage group dynamics and encourage learner participation. Evaluate training effectiveness and improve performance. Course Outline Day 1: Designing Training for Adult Learners Module 1: Understanding the Trainer’s Role Role and responsibilities of an effective trainer Differences between training, presenting, and facilitating Characteristics of great trainers Module 2: Adult Learning Principles How adults learn: motivation, barriers, and learning preferences Learning styles and engagement strategies Applying adult learning theory to real training contexts Module 3: Training Needs Analysis Identifying learning needs and performance gaps Defining clear learning objectives Aligning training outcomes with organisational goals Module 4: Structuring a Training Session Designing training using ADDIE or the 4MAT model Creating session plans and timelines Balancing content delivery with interaction Day 2: Delivering and Evaluating Engaging Training Module 5: Facilitation Skills and Training Delivery Verbal and non-verbal communication Creating a safe and inclusive learning environment Encouraging participation and managing learner resistance Techniques for in-person and online delivery Module 6: Using Training Tools and Technology Using visuals and presentation aids effectively Incorporating activities, case studies, and role plays Facilitating discussions, group work, and Q&A Tips for hybrid and online delivery (Zoom, Teams, etc.) Module 7: Handling Group Dynamics and Challenges Managing difficult participants or situations Reading the room and adjusting on the fly Building confidence as a trainer Module 8: Evaluating Training Effectiveness Gathering and using learner feedback (Kirkpatrick Model) Self-reflection and peer observation Continual improvement of training materials and delivery Delivery Style Practical, hands-on workshops with active participation Peer feedback, group work, and presentation practice Real-time coaching and confidence building Assessment and Certification (Optional) Mini training delivery by each participant with peer and trainer feedback Completion of a training session plan Certificate of completion (customisable to organisation) Course Materials Provided Participant workbook and templates Sample training session plans and evaluation forms Trainer’s checklist and facilitation guide Resource list for further development