The Art of Communication: A Workshop for Upgaming Interns

At Upgaming, we believe that technical skills get you started, but communication skills keep you moving. To help our interns navigate the professional world, our L&D Manager recently led an inspiring workshop: "The Art of Communication." This session was about understanding the psychology behind every interaction.

The workshop started with a fundamental shift in perspective: the difference between simply talking and effective communication. The interns explored the Mehrabian Formula, learning that words are only a small part of the message - our body language and tone of voice often speak much louder. They discussed how our individual perceptions act as a filter, shaping how we see the "truth" in every conversation.

A major highlight was identifying the psychological blocks that stop us from being open. From projection (attributing our feelings to others) to the weight of stereotypes and expectations, the interns learned how the brain can sometimes create "noise" that distorts reality. We talked about Cognitive Dissonance, that uncomfortable feeling when reality doesn't match our expectations, and how to manage it to maintain professional clarity.

Communication is a two-way street, so we focused heavily on Active Listening. The interns practiced the four essential steps: confirmation, paraphrasing, empathy, and action. They also mastered the art of asking the right questions - using Decision Trees to filter information and switching between open, closed, and alternative questions to keep a dialogue productive and focused.

The session wrapped up with a focus on the power of Positive Speech. The interns learned how to transform negative phrases into constructive ones and practiced assertiveness, the ability to express their needs clearly while respecting their colleagues. It’s all part of our culture at Upgaming, where learning from one another is part of everyday work.