Trust Economics: Strategic Communication & Relationship Mgmt.

Trust Economics: Strategic Communication & Relationship Mgmt.

Location

MST 1019

Duration

Online / In-class

5 Days

Contact with our Team

Sector:

Marketing & Communications

Technical Focus Area:

Integrated Marketing Communications & Media Strategy

About the Course

In today’s complex business environment, success depends not only on technical expertise but also on the ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships. This course explores the foundations of human relations and trust, the impact of communication styles, and the importance of context and perception when working with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Participants will examine their own habits and behaviors, gaining insight into how they are perceived and how they can more effectively connect with others.

The program takes a highly practical approach, using role-plays, case studies, and short presentations to practice real-world skills. Participants will learn to identify and map stakeholders, engage both hearts and minds, and tailor their messages to different needs, styles, and situations. They will develop strategies to handle difficult people and conversations, build influence without authority, and transform everyday interactions into opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit.

Finally, the course focuses on networking and long-term relationship building. Participants will learn how to broaden their network strategically, think in terms of “What’s in it for Us” (WIIFU), and create a sustainable relationship and influence plan that supports their professional goals. By the end of the program, they will have a clearer understanding of how to communicate with impact and cultivate relationships that contribute to both organizational results and personal success.

Learning Milestones

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the role of trust in building and maintaining successful professional relationships.
- Identify, analyze, and engage stakeholders using tools such as the power/interest matrix.
- Recognize how context, culture, and perception influence communication and relationships.
- Identify and pursue relationship opportunities that create value and support business results.
- Develop, manage, and nurture relationships, moving from transactional to transformational interactions.
- Expand and broaden their network of influence in a purposeful and strategic way.
- Communicate more assertively and clearly while preserving rapport and respect.
- Present ideas and business cases persuasively, using both logic and emotion.
- Apply problem-solving and win–win thinking to resolve conflicts and strengthen relationships.

Professional Audience

- Leaders and executives seeking to enhance their influence and relationship networks
- Managers and supervisors responsible for teams and cross-functional collaboration
- Professionals keen on improving their networking, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
- Project managers, customer-facing staff, and internal consultants who must align diverse stakeholders
- High-potential employees preparing for broader leadership and relationship responsibilities

Modular Syllabus

Relationships, Trust, and Self-Awareness

- Introduction to human relations: the good, the bad, and the ugly
- The need for relationships and networks: thinking beyond oneself
- Modern-day challenges to building and maintaining relationships (digital, pace, silos)
- Why trust matters: foundations and consequences of trust vs. mistrust
- Positive relationships versus forced relationships
- The Johari Window: self-awareness and how others see us
- Factors influencing relationships and networks (values, behavior, communication style)
- Activity/workshop: Personal reflection and trust-mapping of key relationships

Communication Fundamentals for Strong Relationships

- The three elements of communication: verbal, vocal, and visual
- The importance of preparing and organizing thoughts and ideas before communicating
- Why assertiveness matters: pros, cons, and myths
- The Botari Box and understanding reaction patterns
- Building rapport in the workplace: techniques and common pitfalls
- The likability factor and its impact on influence and cooperation
- Aligning words, tone, and body language for consistent messages
- Exercise: Short practice conversations focusing on clarity, tone, and rapport

Engaging Hearts and Minds – Stakeholder Communication

- Knowing your stakeholders: mapping interests, power, and expectations
- Managing stakeholder expectations proactively
- “Selling” your ideas internally and externally
- Creating a persuasive message that evokes the right emotions and logic
- Reframing your message to match stakeholder needs, wants, and communication styles
- Communicating with difficult people: staying calm, clear, and constructive
- Approaching difficult topics with sensitivity and purpose
- Role-play: Presenting an idea to different stakeholder profiles and receiving feedback

Building Influence and Transformational Relationships

- Power and influencing: formal vs. informal sources of influence
- Insights from Dale Carnegie and the importance of self-awareness and empathy
- WIIFU (What’s in it for Us) vs. WIIFM (What’s in it for Me)
- Identifying opportunities to build strong and healthy working relationships
- The role of context (timing, setting, culture) in relationship success
- Seeking feedback and different perspectives to strengthen mutual understanding
- Investing in relationships: moving from transactional to transformational interactions
- Working through difficult relationships and knowing when to divest from a relationship
- Group activity: Designing a plan to improve or reset a challenging professional relationship

Strategic Networking and Sustaining Relationship Success

- Reasons for building a professional network and how it supports career and business goals
- Benefits of a strong network: information, influence, opportunities, and support
- Mindset and etiquette: things to remember when networking
- Simple, practical tips for effective business and professional networking
- Broadening your network: internal, external, cross-functional, and cross-industry connections
- Using digital tools (LinkedIn, events, communities) to sustain relationships
- Personal action planning: setting networking and relationship-building goals
- Capstone: Present a personal Communication and Relationship Management Action Plan

Course Dates & Prices

Location	Starting Date	Price
Dubai (UAE)	29/12/2025	2999 $
Online	05/01/2026	2299 $
Online	05/01/2026	2299 $
Dubai (UAE)	12/01/2026	2749 $
Dubai (UAE)	12/01/2026	2999$
Cairo (Egypt)	19/01/2026	2749 $
Online	19/01/2026	2299 $
Online	26/01/2026	2299 $
Muscat (Oman)	29/01/2026	2999 $
Dubai (UAE)	02/02/2026	2999 $
Muscat (Oman)	16/02/2026	2999 $
Online	16/02/2026	2299 $
Online	23/02/2026	2299 $
Dubai (UAE)	23/02/2026	2999 $
Online	02/03/2026	2299 $
Online	09/03/2026	2299 $
London (UK)	09/03/2026	3499 $
Dubai (UAE)	09/03/2026	2999$
Online	16/03/2026	2299 $
Istanbul (Turkey)	16/03/2026	2999 $
Dubai (UAE)	16/03/2026	2999 $
Online	23/03/2026	2299 $
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)	23/03/2026	4099$
Doha (Qatar)	23/03/2026	2999 $
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)	30/03/2026	4199$
Online	30/03/2026	2299 $
Dubai (UAE)	06/04/2026	2999$
Istanbul	06/04/2026	2749 $
Online	06/04/2026	2299 $
Dubai (UAE)	13/04/2026	2999$
Cairo (Egypt)	13/04/2026	2749 $
Online	20/04/2026	2299 $
Dubai (UAE)	27/04/2026	2999$
Online	27/04/2026	2299 $
London (UK)	27/04/2026	3499 $
Istanbul (Turkey)	04/05/2026	2749 $
Dubai (UAE)	04/05/2026	2999$
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)	11/05/2026	4099$
Online	11/05/2026	2299 $
Doha (Qatar)	11/05/2026	2999 $

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