The Double-Edged Sword of Workplace Communication

Join MVMA wellness committee member Deirdre Fornari for 1 AVMA-approved CE presentation on workplace communication.

This event is FREE for MVMA members. Non-members may register for a $35 fee.

A Zoom link will be shared with registrants upon registration as well as one hour before the session begins.

About this program:

Communication is considered a double-edged sword because of its power to move us closer to, or further away from, authentic, healthy connection. For example, 24/7 news coverage can be informative and increase anxiety, social media can be used for networking and cyberbullying, and how we communicate with each other in the workplace can induce more psychological distress and be a buffer to or help prevent psychological distress.

In the process of managing our day-to-day work life, we often lose sight of how communication patterns and the ways we interact with each other impact our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our colleagues. Effective communication is a cornerstone of healthy workplaces, and yet it is often an afterthought. Under duress, communication can become transactional—focused on short term gains, alleviating symptoms rather than addressing root causes of conflict, and prioritizing winning over problem resolution and relationships. Teams that communicate effectively are more likely to have higher psychological safety, encourage innovation and timely decision-making, create goodwill, minimize miscommunication, and be better equipped to successfully navigate difficult situations. This interactive seminar teaches core communication skills to promote connection, support a strong sense of belonging to the team, increase trust in the organization, and facilitate candid and open communication among team members.

Objectives: At the end of this seminar, learners will:

• Define workplace wellbeing,
• Compare and contrast transactional and relational communication,
• Describe two core communication skills to promote connection, and
• Describe one connection buster.