Why this course?

A lot of PhD candidates are afraid that if they stand up for themselves at work, for example in a negotiation or a conflict, they might harm the relationship with their supervisor, promoter or colleague, and this might have an effect on the progress of their research or even on their academic career. Because of that, they do not express what they really want or what they find important. As a result, they feel frustrated or it disturbs their work on a content level. In the long run they might face the same problem after their PhD, whether that’s in academia with group leaders or deans, or in industry with managers, bosses or co-workers.

In this course we will teach you how to communicate effectively via 9-steps to get your job done in such a way that you stand up for yourself, while keeping good relations. Our method is evidence-based, you can apply it straight away, and it works directly. In every step we focus on a different theme. In doing so, we help you identify all the different aspects that contribute to standing up for yourself in your personal work situation while keeping a good relation with the person of your preference.

Objectives

• How effective communication contributes to your preferred outcome on a content
• level
• How to prepare a confrontation or negotiation, both on content as well as a
• relationship level
• How to use your body language and non-verbal factors in your advantage
• Learn to manage conflicts, including the use of constructive language
• Effective communication strategies and problem solving skills like giving and
• receiving feedback
• How to deal with power differences and the importance of long term relationships
• Navigate in an intercultural scientific environment

Format

We have a learning-by-doing approach, via a 9-step method. The method is evidenced based, to be applied straight away, and with direct effect. Every step focuses on a different theme, and you will receive theory, tools, and exercises to apply in your own working environment. The course has 3 blocks and for every block, participants are invited to make strategy assignments, as a preparation for the training sessions.

Online format

• Block 1: Prepare – Online training session of 2 hours
• Block 2: Perform – Online training session of 3 hours
• Block 3: Persist – Online training session of 2 hours

Blended format

• Block 1: Prepare – Online training session of 2 hours
• Block 2: Perform – Online training session of 2 hours
• Block 3: Persist – Offline training session at Leiden University of 1 daypart