Even if you are not a PM, if you aspire to become an IT/cybersecurity leader, you need to communicate effectively. The lack of the ability to communicate effectively on IT/cybersecurity projects increases the chances that those projects will fail.   

The instructor begins with a story, based on actual events, that illustrates emotional intelligence.  Myers-Briggs Type Indicators describe characteristics that relate to communications styles.  These indicators impact the characters in the story and IT/cybersecurity professionals at large. Researchers associate leadership and extroversion; however, most IT/cybersecurity professionals are introverts. Fortunately, this does not prevent IT/Cybersecurity professionals from developing leadership skills.   

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Each part of the brain contributes to communications differently.  The reptilian, limbic, and neocortex process different information types at different speeds.  You will understand the areas in your brain that processes impulses, emotions, and higher thought.     

The parts of the brain enable four brain phases: Instinct, Emotions, Intellect, and Intuition.  Processing instinctual fear is challenging.  Our emotions enable us to label our feelings so we can examine them and express them to others.   We express our emotions both verbally and non-verbally.  Our intellect enables us to respond and behave rationally.  Our intuition enables us to make quick judgments based on our instinctual, emotional, and intellectual experiences   

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Besides understanding brain operations and brain phases, it is important to understand different thought types.  The REB Model includes types of thought, adding the depth required for processing meaning.   

This segment begins with a business narrative that challenges you to imagine yourself in an intense communications situation.  It integrates the brain phases and the REB Model with the communications cycle, producing a complex architecture for transmitting the meaning from within you to your communications partner, and then understanding the how your communications partner transmits the meaning within her back to you through feedback.    

IT and cybersecurity professionals invest heavily in technical skills, but soft skills are also essential for success in the workplace and for the success of IT/cybersecurity projects and programs.   The Talk Continuum demonstrates how communications progresses from self-talk to dialogue, enabling the effective exchange of information between communications partners.     

This segment begins with the conclusion of the challenging communications situation introduced earlier.  The instructor then provides the Keys to Emotionally Intelligent Communications in the form of a modified Deming Cycle: Plan–Do–Don’t–Check–Act.  The instructor concludes with a summary of Part 1 of this course.    

The instructor provides an overview of stakeholder engagement, leadership, social styles, and mindful credibility.   

The instructor explains the stakeholder engagement concepts needed for interacting with and involving others. You will explore the management of change and of stakeholder expectations.    

You will explore leadership from various perspectives, enabling you to form your own point of view concerning leadership.   

This is a story about an IT leader who faced challenging leadership situations with an internal stakeholder. The instructor based the story on actual events.     

Social styles are the observable behaviors that identify a person’s preferences.  You will learn to recognize the characteristics of the Analytical, Driver, Amiable, and Expressive social styles, understanding their own style and the styles of others.    

People with personal credibility have earned the belief, trust, and confidence of others.  They mindfully know their own behavioral tendencies and they are adept at practicing versatility, becoming mindfully credible.  Versatility requires becoming comfortable with discomfort. You will learn to use Social Styles and emotionally intelligent communications to be versatile, mindfully building credibility with their team and other stakeholders.      

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The instructor provides an explanation of social styles and personal credibility within the context of The Incredible Craig business fable.   

The instructor provides a holistic summary of communications, emotional intelligence, leadership, and personal interaction concepts that can improve the IT/cybersecurity professional’s leadership and communications skills.