Award in Influential Dialogue (MQF 5)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, the participants will be able to:

• Effectively reflect on and confront their own behavioural and communication performance issues
• Develop leadership skills on an emotional and cognitive level
• Define and apply leadership influence
• Deal with any resistance from their team members
• Get commitment on an agreed way forward that addresses the issues
• Understand when and how to resort to discipline.
• Confront issues with their team members in a timely and effective manner
• Promote business growth through influential leadership
• Understand how leadership communication can promote effective and much needed change
• Effectively deal with problems and make the right decisions
• Promote influential dialogue to enhance engagement and alignment

Structure of Programme:

The programme is made up of one module divided over 12 sessions: Session 1: Identifying Who’s Right/Who’s Wrong

• Description: Explore the pitfalls of binary thinking in workplace disputes.
• Topics Covered:
  • Understanding perspectives and biases
  • Shifting from "right vs. wrong" to collaborative problem-solving
• Activities:
  • Case study analysis: Reframing "who’s right" scenarios
  • Group discussion: Identifying root causes of misunderstandings

Session 2: Accurately Reading Intentions

• Description: Learn how to distinguish between perceived and actual intentions in conversations.
• Topics Covered:
  • The role of assumptions in conflict
  • Techniques for clarifying intentions
• Activities:
  • Exercise: Identifying assumptions in workplace scenarios
  • Group discussion: Techniques for seeking clarification

Session 3: Moving Away from Blame

• Description: Develop strategies to foster accountability without blame.
• Topics Covered:
  • The blame cycle and its impact on workplace relationships
  • Shifting conversations from blame to accountability
• Activities:
  • Role-playing: Reframing blame-focused conversations
  • Group debrief: Effective approaches to accountability

Session 4: Reflection and Application

• Guided journaling: Key insights from Day 1
• Group sharing: Personal strategies for avoiding blame

Session 5: Managing Emotions during Difficult Conversations

• Description: Learn techniques for managing emotional responses during challenging discussions.
• Topics Covered:
  • The science of emotional triggers
  • Strategies for emotional regulation
• Activities:
  • Breathing and grounding exercises
  • Scenario-based practice: Managing emotional triggers

Session 6: Emotional Intelligence in Difficult Conversations

• Description: Apply emotional intelligence principles to navigate difficult conversations.
• Topics Covered:
  • Empathy and active listening
  • Responding versus reacting
• Activities:
  • Pair exercise: Practicing empathetic listening
  • Group discussion: Insights from using empathy in conversations

Session 7: Maintaining Self-Esteem during Difficult Conversations

• Description: Strategies to maintain confidence and self-respect during challenging interactions.
• Topics Covered:
  • Building resilience in the face of criticism
  • Separating personal worth from professional feedback
• Activities:
  • Reflection exercise: Positive affirmations and self-talk
  • Group sharing: Lessons from maintaining self-esteem

Session 8: Practice and Feedback

• Practice difficult conversation scenarios in pairs
• Real-time feedback from facilitators

Session 9: Planning and Structuring Difficult Conversations

• Description: Develop a structured approach to preparing for difficult conversations.
• Topics Covered:
  • Setting objectives for conversations
  • Structuring conversations for clarity and impact
• Activities:
  • Template exercise: Creating a conversation plan
  • Group discussion: Sharing conversation plans

Session 10: Real-World Application

• Description: Apply learning to real-world scenarios.
• Topics Covered:
  • Practicing conversations with challenging team members
  • Techniques for follow-up and accountability
• Activities:
  • Role-playing: Real-world conversation scenarios
  • Peer feedback and facilitator coaching

Session 11: Problem-Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Description: Explore problem-solving strategies for ongoing communication challenges.
• Topics Covered:
  • Identifying recurring communication issues
  • Developing continuous improvement strategies
• Activities:
  • Group brainstorming: Solutions to persistent communication problems
  • Action planning for improvement

Session 12: Wrap-Up and Action Planning

• Description: Consolidate learning and develop a personal action plan.
• Activities:
  • Personal action plan development
  • Group reflections and feedback
  • Closing remarks and certificate distribution

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Procedures:

The programme will include a mix of formative self-assessment, peer-assessment and trainer assessment techniques, including:

• a number of self-assessment questionnaires to encourage the learners to assess and reflect on their individual competency in the skills discussed throughout the programme
• learners are expected to role-play the skills covered in the programme and given feedback by the trainer and peers
• trainer assessment of the learners’ reflective journaling after each session capturing the main points learned during each session, making a commitment to follow up on at least one practical action point and reviewing progress on the commitment made
• self-assessment through multiple choice quizzes after each session to assess the transfer of knowledge and main concepts covered during each session

What’s Included:

• Training by a certified and experienced educator/s
• Detailed course notes
• Funding options

Target Audience:

This programme is targeted towards anyone wishing to improve the quality of face-to-face interaction with team members.

Date/s of Next Intake

June 2025 or November 2025 or January 2026

Venue

Think Talent Training Room, Think Talent Offices, Mriehel

Language

English

Duration

3 full days

Hours of Total Learning

25

Entry Requirements

Learners must possess a minimum Level 4 Qualification.

Mode of Attendance

Part-time

Mode of Delivery

Face-to-face

Grading System

Standard pass/fail grading scale

Pass Mark

50%

Funding Options

Three Malta funding routes can cover most of your course.

• MySkills Scheme (cash grant reimbursement, individuals) — employed participants claim back up to 80% and unemployed up to 100%, paid as a cash reimbursement on completion, max €5,000 per application.
• Get Qualified Scheme (tax credit, individuals) — employed, self-employed and business owners recover up to 70% of eligible training costs as a personal tax credit, max €10,000 per application.
• Investing in Skills / IIS (tax credit, employers) — Malta-registered employers recover up to 70% of eligible training costs for their staff as a tax credit.

Not sure which scheme fits you? Contact us — we will tell you exactly what you qualify for. Important: The MySkills Scheme and Get Qualified Scheme are only available to individuals who are officially residing in Malta. Proof of Malta residency is required when applying for either scheme.

• Minimum Age: 18+
• Learners must possess a minimum Level 4 Qualification.