Now, knowing the theoretical base, I can conclude that my attitude to oral persuasion was a little bit passive and it was my blind spot. I feel I must improve this skill and I am encouraged to do well, because some of my classmates turned out to be the outstanding persuaders.

2. The usefulness of communication training: how to deal with “real” businessmen and with classmates

Now I would like to say a few words about our practice in communication role-plays. Participating both as actors an observers we had a possibility to imagine the real situations. Sometimes the role-plays were successful, sometimes there was a lack of preparation. I wish I should more actively participate, but it is my fault that I hesitated to show my view and to compete.

I found it more difficult than it seemed to be natural. Some situations were rather unusual for me: knowing how I had to behave, I tried applying theory, but rarely imagined myself in similar situations.

Due to these difficulties during the communication training I learned my weak points and the ways to improvement. But to use all the skills we must make the adjustment to reality, which is more competitive than studying conditions. As the famous Russian general Suvorov said, if it is hard in exercise, it is easy in action.

The most interesting and useful part of training for me were Persuasion and Performance Appraisal. By the way, observers all the time used some sort of appraisal, and observing was the item I really was in favour of.

The role-plays prepared under scenarios I think were a little bit far-fetched, and it is more natural to use our own names and individual traits in performances. Therefore the improvisations like those played while discussing Persuasion Skills were more useful.

Conclusion

The course of Communication Training was one of significant theoretical and practical importance for me. The communication skills are necessary if you wish to success in business activity or in any other sphere of life.

The effective listening skill is very important in relations with people. Some of us can hear what others say, but can not listen. It is matter of common sense: to listen is the simplest way to create a good impression.

Providing feedback gives the possibility to inform a person about some aspects of his/her behavior ant it’s effect on you. The real difficulty is to provide person with negative feedback. To avoid hurting a person we should use several techniques, and their main idea is to keep it impersonal and nonjudgmental.

The performance appraisal skill is used systematically by foreign managers and has a great impact on the career of employees. During performance-appraisal interview managers make decision concerning promotion or dismissal of his subordinates.

The skill of persuasion is also one of the basic communication skills. To motivate people do what you want them to do it is not enough to have the power. Being persuaded people feel they are acting on their own accord. Improvement of persuading techniques means using facilitative tactics and tailoring your approach to different people.

The participation in role-plays was interesting and useful both for the actors and observers. However some situations hardly corresponded with life and performances played on spot were much more vital. Due to this communication training I investigated my weak and strong points and found the ways to improve.

Thus, my general impression about the course is very good, and I wish we had more time for such a subject to master the skills of communication.