Whether we are frustrated by a lack of information from senior managers or worrying about how to break bad news to a colleague, communication is often at the root of the issue and the solution. By learning how to communicate more effectively, we can stop problems from escalating and make the workplace a more efficient and harmonious environment to be in. We can also present ourselves more positively, both to existing colleagues and future employers during the job application process.

This free course, Effective communication in the workplace, explores the importance of communication as a skill in the workplace. It aims to increase your understanding of communication skills and to help you to consider how your communication could be perceived by others. You'll cover areas such as verbal and non-verbal communication, written communication and using your communication skills in challenging and diverse situations. You'll also look at possible scenarios for communication in the future, ranging from remote working to virtual reality.

Each week you'll have an opportunity to reflect on your own communication skills, setting goals to improve them.

Watch the following video in which Lynne Johnson from the Careers Service at The Open University, who you'll hear from at the start of each week, introduces the course.

Enrolling on the course will give you the opportunity to earn an Open University digital badge. Badges are not accredited by The Open University but they're a great way to demonstrate your interest in the subject and commitment to your career, and to provide evidence of continuing professional development.

Once you are signed in, you can manage your digital badges online from My OpenLearn. In addition, you can download and print your OpenLearn statement of participation – which also displays your Open University badge.

The Open University would really appreciate a few minutes of your time to tell us about yourself and your expectations for the course before you begin, in our optional start-of-course survey . Once you complete the course we would also value your feedback and suggestions for future improvement, in our optional end-of-course survey . Participation will be completely confidential and we will not pass on your details to others.

Anyone wishing to provide evidence of their enrolment on this course is able to do so by sharing their Activity Record on their OpenLearn Profile, which is available before completion of the course and earning of the Statement of Participation.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• describe different types of communication and how they are used in the workplace
• recognise the skills required for effective communication
• understand the impact that communication can have on how people are perceived by others
• identify how effective communication can overcome challenges in the workplace
• reflect on current personal communication skills and how these can be developed and used more successfully.