The ability to communicate your thoughts properly is an essential life tool for everyone in the business world and the reason Nomsa Shabungu and Vuyiswa Nonkonyana decided to embark on the Confident Communication Workshop, which has since redefined the way they communicate.

Nomsa Shabungu manager for strategic planning at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature attended the Confident Communication Workshop with the intention of improving her presentation skills and public speaking.

Nomsa says the workshop assisted her in identifying a number of errors in her thinking with regard to one-on-one and group communication.

“I had never given much thought to body language’ she says, but the workshop showed her the value of controlling her movements. However the lesson was about more than simply perfecting a pose she says, ‘It gave me a chance to deal with my inner self by helping me discover the root of my shyness’.

She was pleasantly surprised by the voice training segment of the course as voice exercises were a foreign concept to her. After practising the techniques during class and those recorded on a CD which participants received, she soon saw the benefit of warming her vocal chords before speaking.

Now Nomsa doesn’t leave home without her trusty disc, ‘I listen to the CD in my car before every meeting and it’s incredibly useful, especially for early morning meetings’.

Vuyiswa Nonkonyana a graduate in training at Anglo American joined the class to conquer her fears of speaking in front of a group.

She chose the Confident Communication Workshop because of the Cd included in the package. “I wanted something I could take home with me’ she says.

The opportunity to observe her behaviour through video recordings was another draw card.

She was able to objectively study her posture and presentation style and through the exercise she learnt the importance of being aware of her body language and her surroundings at all times.

Vuyiswa says the course helped her convert head knowledge into practical application. ‘Delia shows you how to make use of the communication skills you learn’.

Vuyiswa has yet to face an audience, but presentations scheduled for later in the year no longer stir up the feelings of dread and fear it once did. “I am slightly nervous, but it’s a controlled nervousness’.

Besides the formal presentations, Vuyiswa says that the training has changed her communication within the workplace, allowing her to communicate more freely with colleagues and employers. ‘Now I speak up more and give my input when I feel it is necessary’.

Nomsa shared these sentiments. “When I speak up during meetings, I no longer wonder if I’m saying the right thing or if others will judge my comments’.

Asked about her overall impression of the workshop and whether she received value for money she says simply, ‘it was worth it’.

The 2 day Confident Communication Workshop presented at the Communication Academy covers the key areas of communication and presentations including the importance of eye contact, correct use of voice and other techniques relating to body language as well as how to prepare for and develop presentations. The workshop runs monthly in Midrand and also in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

The course is customised in the sense that each speech is recorded allowing the speaker to assess their own presentations which creates awareness about natural habits and impulses that need improvement. Candidates can keep their dvd’s as well as all literature in the files, and will receive a CD which assists in overcoming bad speaking habits.

Delia Thompson started The Communication Academy after receiving a ATCL & LTCL speech and communication (teaching diploma) from the Trinity College of London, which is associated to Cambridge University. She is currently busy with her masters in Communication skills through the Trinity College with a research thesis entitled “ The Impact Communication skills has on the influencial leader.” Proving it takes great communication skills to be a great leader. Luckily she says, they can be taught. Delia was a Springbok Public Speaking and debating coach for the 2008 World cup.

She has done training with most of South Africa's Blue chip companies and government departments.

By Cindy Payle

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