This free course is one in a series focusing on leadership, decision-making and communication in the context of policing within the community. This particular session focuses on communication skills and specifically looks at how to build rapport and get the most out of conversations in community settings. It introduces a psychological model which is a useful way to think about how to develop rapport, and allows you to plan for, and reflect on, your everyday interactions in order to build rapport effectively. It focuses on conversations that might be considered ‘difficult’, and encourages effective listening and effective diagnosis of interpersonal behaviour.

Syllabus

Introduction
1 A difficult conversation
1 A difficult conversation
2 Research into difficult conversations
2 Research into difficult conversations
2.1 Police suspect interviews
3 Diagnosing behaviour using the interpersonal circle
3 Diagnosing behaviour using the interpersonal circle
3.1 Maladaptive and adaptive variants of the model
3.2 Diagnosing maladaptive and adaptive behaviour
4 Responding using the interpersonal circle
4 Responding using the interpersonal circle
4.1 Avoiding maladaptive behaviour
4.2 Confrontation – positive and negative variants
5 Thinking about your own experience
5 Thinking about your own experience
6 Enacting appropriate responses
6 Enacting appropriate responses
6.1 A difficult conversation (revisited)
6.2 Planning and preparing appropriate responses
Summary
References
Acknowledgements

Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 9 Class Central reviews

5 rating at OpenLearn based on 19 ratings

Start your review of Sure, I know how to talk to people!

Enrique Enriquez @EEnriquez
20

I found this course on interpersonal communication both insightful and well-structured. It was offered free of charge and that it delivered precisely on its advertised details—course duration was accurate, and the certificate of completion was avail…

I found this course on interpersonal communication both insightful and well-structured. It was offered free of charge and that it delivered precisely on its advertised details—course duration was accurate, and the certificate of completion was available on demand as promised. The psychological model of rapport was clearly explained and practically applicable, especially in professional and community settings.
Overall, my experience was positive; however, I did notice a recurring narrative pattern where male figures were often portrayed as aggressors and women as victims. The framing at times felt imbalanced and potentially influenced by a feminist perspective. A more neutral approach to gender representation would enhance the objectivity of the material.
Nonetheless, the course provided valuable tools for diagnosing and adapting interpersonal behavior, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking to improve their communication skills in challenging environments.
Danar Permana @DanarPermana
19

Very good. I learned a lot about communication skills here. The lessons and examples are easy to understand and interesting. I highly recommend it to people who just want to learn how to communicate with others.
Prussian Kagayutan @xiaen
2

I learned how to avoid maladaptive behavior and distinguish someone's behavior whether they are possessing adaptive or maladaptive behavior.
NASRULLOH
1

good very useful for all of us Even though it's been a long time and it's hard I'm confused about what else to say really I I I I I I I I I Akua I Akua I akajahah jahsh jshsh
Maheen Shahzad

it helped me to learn how to diagnose other people's behaviour and act accordingly which helps to improve communication skills.
Fher Laynard Santos

I have learned about intrapersonal communication and the adaptive, and maladaptive model, I learned that communication isnt just about talking to people, being with a room with them and not talking to them is a sign of communication
Adarsh Sanjay Kumar Tiwari

This is an interesting course on communication & interpersonal skills. In this course, you will find a few scenarios where you put yourself and try to solve the problem. It creates curiosity within students and helps them to understand a situation in a much better way. I had fun doing this course and learned a lot about how to behave in certain situations.
Ehsan UL HAQ
2

i must say with involvement in cases ,I must have changed my behaviour to others in interpersonal relations
Ameya Ajgaonkar

Great course and it was really very interesting and helpful I learnt a lot from this course and I’m sure I will be able to talk to people after this session.

AI Engineer - Learn how to integrate AI into software applications

The Private Equity Associate Certification

Tags

Get 20% off all career paths from fullstack to AI

Communication and Relationship Building

Conversation Skills Masterclass - Communication Skills

Learn EDR Internals: Research & Development From The Masters Ad

[2026] 8000+ OpenCourseWare Courses from Top Institutions

[2026] 900+ Open University Free Certificates

11 Best Workplace Skills Courses in 2026

7 Best French Courses for 2026

8 Best Resume Writing Courses Online (2026): Free & Paid Classes to Build a Professional CV

Never Stop Learning.