MAPS Workplace Communication Skills

Course Overview

Course Description

This course will equip early to mid-career professionals with practical communication skills that drive career success. Participants will explore essential techniques including active listening, effective writing, delegation, negotiation tactics, and transforming difficult conversations into productive outcomes.

Through interactive exercises and real-world scenarios, you'll develop a personalized communication toolkit that enhances your professional relationships, increases your influence, and helps you navigate workplace dynamics with confidence.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for early to mid-career professionals who are individual contributors, team leads, and early managers across all public service careers. The content will be particularly valuable for those in collaborative environments or cross-functional teams where effective communications is essential.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Create effective emails, meeting agendas and notes
• Delegate effectively
• Manage difficult conversations with confidence
• Negotiate to secure favorable pricing and terms for a variety of goods and services

Course Materials

Course materials will be provided in class.

Instructor

Quanetta "Q" Batts is Director of Outreach & Engagement at University Libraries, where she provides strategic leadership in building relationships with campus and community partners across Central Ohio. She holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science from Ohio Dominican University.

Her innovative programming includes the high school summer internship program, staff wellness and recognition initiatives, Project Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, and numerous other community engagement partnerships. She also teaches "Project & Event Planning Made Simple" and "Effective Communication for Early to Mid-Career Professionals" at Ohio State's John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

A gifted project manager, Q plans events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences of 4,000 attendees, handling everything from agenda development and registration to sponsorship acquisition and logistics. She's also a sought-after workshop presenter on negotiation strategies, project and event management, effective communication, and networking.

Before joining Ohio State, Q spent 10 years at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, first in Public Affairs and later as a Commissioner Aide.

Her leadership has earned recognition including the university's highest staff honor, the Distinguished Staff Award (2019), and the Community Engaged Practitioner Award from Ohio State's Office of Outreach and Engagement (2023). Beyond her professional work, Q serves on the board of St. Stephen's Community House, previously served on the Franklin County Sheriff's Advisory Board, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is a graduate of the African American Leadership Academy.

FAQ's

Follow these steps to make a cancellation:

1. Refer to your registration confirmation email
2. Scroll down to "Cancellation Policy"
3. Follow link in email
4. Enter the confirmation number from the registration email
5. At the top of the page, click on “Cancel Registration” button
6. Click Finish

Follow these steps to make a substitution: 

1. Refer to your registration confirmation email
2. Scroll down to "Substitutions"
3. Follow link in email
4. Enter the confirmation number from the registration email
5. At the top of the page, click on the “Substitute Registrant” button
6. Enter the name and email of the new registrant
7. Click Next
8. Click Confirm

Waitlist
What happens if I am on a waitlist for a course? You will receive an email confirming you have been added to a waitlist. If a spot becomes available, you will be notified by email.  

CEU and CPE Policy
Attendance in this course can earn:

• 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• 7.2 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEs)

Attendance is recorded at check-in at the start of the day, and full CEU or CPE credit is awarded based on an honor system, with the expectation that participants are present and actively engaged for the full MAPS course.

Course Certificate
Your course certificate will be emailed to you following the course. It will reflect your Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEs) earned and your attendance of the course. 

Photography
The Ohio State University may occasionally take pictures during educational events for use in program communication. If you do not want to be photographed during this course, please email the MAPS team at glenn-training@osu.edu.

MAPS Membership 
A MAPS member receives a discounted rate of $250 for each course with the initial purchase of at least 12 credits. Each credit equals one course for one individual.

To inquire about becoming a MAPS member, please fill out the MAPS Membership Form. A Glenn College Professional Development team member will reach out to you.

Questions or want to learn more?