Effective Communication

About

Effective communication is the backbone of trust, collaboration, and sustainable results in organizations. Research shows that breakdowns in communication account for a very large share of workplace failures and cost organisations dearly worldwide. At the same time, strong communication and emotional intelligence are consistently linked to higher performance and job satisfaction. Studies on leadership show that these interpersonal skills strongly predict who succeeds in guiding teams and navigating change.

For leaders—formal and informal—communicating well is not just a “soft skill”, but a core leadership capacity. It is what allows you to articulate a clear direction, listen beneath the surface of what people say, create psychological safety in groups, and turn tension or disagreement into learning and better solutions instead of stalemates. In a fast-moving and sometimes polarised world, the ability to connect across differences with clarity, empathy, and presence is what turns authority into genuine influence.

In this practical summer school on Effective Communication, you spend five days actively practising how to communicate more clearly, confidently, and empathetically—both in everyday conversations and in leadership situations such as guiding a team, collaborating on complex projects, or dealing with conflict. Whether you lead a formal team, a project, or simply take initiative in your studies or community, you will practice communication as a concrete leadership act in everyday moments.” A social entrepreneur and a former diplomat share the most important lessons they have learned about communication over the past 20 years, translating their international experience into practical tools that strengthen your influence, deepen collaboration, and bring more ease and clarity to your conversations.

Instead of long lectures, each day centers on short pieces of theory followed immediately by concrete exercises, role plays, and structured feedback rounds. You continuously work with real examples from your own professional and personal context: conversations you postpone, boundaries you did not set, or feedback you found difficult to give. This way, you turn abstract concepts like emotional intelligence and empathy into visible, repeatable behaviors you can start using at work.

And as a bonus, effective communication doesn’t just help you at work; it enriches your personal life as well. Managing emotions skilfully and engaging in relationships with care brings greater confidence, fulfillment, and well‑being for you and the people around you.

Ways of working

We blend trusted methods into hands-on exercises that let you discover what works best for you. Drawing on Nonviolent Communication, you practice speaking honestly while keeping connections strong. Deep Democracy invites every voice to be heard, especially the quieter ones. Systemic Work reveals patterns in groups and relationships so you can navigate complex emotions; constellation and spatial work help you access unconscious feelings and needs and see the interdependence within a system. And Theory U guides you through sensing the present moment more deeply, connecting to your inner knowing, and stepping into fresh, creative action.

What previous participants say:

Last year’s UU Summerschools by Jan Reinder and Henrik received a 9.2 out of 10 score by more than 50 participants.

"Being primarily exercise based, this course was highly effective for me. I expected I would be on my own to construct situations but this was infinitely better."

"I really appreciated how in-depth we went on an emotional level, how caring the teachers both are and how they managed to create a safe space and how this affected in a positive way to the connection of the group. I will remember the exercises we did for a long time."

"I learned how to express my feelings, how to stay rational during conversations, to present myself better, to be understanding, to negotiate and tools for presentation and most of all to connect to people on a new level."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course and how it was presented. Top marks to the facilitators for their energy and professional experience which pulled an incredibly diverse group together. Most enjoyable."

Course leader

Lauren Gould

Target group

On average two thirds of participants to this course are professionals and one third are masters' students.

Fee info