The emphasis is on understanding what is actually happening in these situations — not just what was said, but what was assumed, expected, and left unsaid.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• read ambiguous situations more carefully before reacting — separating what happened from what they assume it means
• respond more effectively in conversations where power is uneven or expectations are unspoken
• navigate collaboration challenges with a clearer understanding of what is actually driving the difficulty
• communicate with greater awareness of how context, hierarchy, and their own position shape how their message lands

Course structure

The course consists of 3 sessions of 3 hours each. Each session builds on the previous one:

Session 1 — Reading and Interpreting: slowing down, generating multiple readings of a situation, and identifying hidden expectations

Session 2 — Communication Under Hierarchy: understanding power dynamics and practising deliberate response strategies

Session 3 — Repair, Collaboration, and Positioning: handling situations that have already gone sideways and understanding how one's own position shapes communication

Each session follows a structure of short conceptual input, practical exercises (individual and group), and reflection. Participants receive a reference card with the course frameworks to use independently after the training.

Trainer

Allyson Sim is a trainer in research and professional development with eight years of experience as a postdoctoral researcher in telecommunications and wireless networks. She currently works as a trainer at TU Delft Library in research data management and digital skills, and runs her own training practice. Having lived and worked in Malaysia, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, she brings direct personal experience of navigating communication in international academic environments.

Additional Information

The course is designed for groups of 6–12 participants. Instruction is in English. No prior communication training is required, though the course is pitched at an intermediate to advanced level and assumes basic professional communication awareness. Participants are asked to bring a notebook or be prepared to write across all three sessions.

Contact Information

For questions about content, registration, or logistics, please contact Allyson Sim at allyson.sim@jadephoenix.nl (www.jadephoenix.nl).