Basics of Interpersonal Skills: Building Positive Relationships - 5-Day Course Outline for KSA & GCC Professionals

Master the Art of Connection and Collaboration in the Middle East Workplace

This comprehensive 5-day Interpersonal Skills training course empowers professionals across Saudi Arabia and the GCC region to build meaningful relationships, enhance communication effectiveness, and create collaborative work environments. Aligned with Vision 2030’s human capital development goals and the region’s emphasis on interpersonal excellence, this program provides practical skills essential for career advancement and organizational success in the dynamic Middle Eastern business landscape.

Day 1: Foundations of Interpersonal Communication

Morning Session: Understanding Interpersonal Dynamics (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 1.1: Introduction to Interpersonal Skills Excellence

• Defining interpersonal skills and their impact on career success

• The interpersonal skills spectrum: Communication, empathy, collaboration, influence

• Cultural context: Interpersonal dynamics in Saudi and GCC workplaces

• Business relationships in the Middle East: Trust, loyalty, and personal connection

• Self-assessment: Evaluating your current interpersonal competencies

Module 1.2: Self-Awareness and Personal Identity

• Understanding your communication style and preferences

• Personality frameworks: DISC, Myers-Briggs, and Johari Window

• Values, beliefs, and how they shape interactions

• Identifying personal strengths and development areas

• Building authentic professional presence

Module 1.3: The Psychology of Relationships

• Fundamental human needs: Recognition, belonging, significance

• Trust building blocks: Reliability, competence, sincerity, care

• Rapport development techniques and applications

• First impressions and lasting professional image

• Overcoming barriers to connection

Afternoon Session: Communication Fundamentals (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 1.4: The 7 C’s of Effective Communication

• Clarity: Expressing ideas with precision

• Conciseness: Communicating efficiently without losing meaning

• Correctness: Grammar, accuracy, and professionalism

• Completeness: Providing comprehensive information

• Courtesy: Respectful and considerate communication

• Concreteness: Using specific, tangible language

• Consideration: Audience-centric messaging

Module 1.5: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

• Voice modulation: Tone, pitch, pace, and volume

• Body language: Posture, gestures, facial expressions

• Eye contact norms in GCC cultural contexts

• Personal space and proxemics in Middle Eastern culture

• Reading between the lines: Interpreting unspoken messages

• Practice session: Communication skills role-plays

Day 2: Active Listening and Emotional Intelligence

Morning Session: The Art of Active Listening (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 2.1: Listening as a Strategic Skill

• The listening continuum: Hearing versus active listening

• Barriers to effective listening: Internal and external distractions

• The RASA technique: Receive, Appreciate, Summarize, Ask

• Reflective listening and paraphrasing techniques

• Listening across hierarchical levels in GCC organizations

Module 2.2: Empathetic Engagement

• Understanding empathy versus sympathy

• Cognitive and emotional empathy development

• Perspective-taking in diverse cultural contexts

• Validating others’ feelings and experiences

• Empathy in challenging conversations

Module 2.3: Asking Powerful Questions

• Open-ended versus closed-ended questions

• Socratic questioning for deeper understanding

• Clarifying questions to avoid assumptions

• Probing techniques for meaningful dialogue

• Question framing in Arabic and English contexts

Afternoon Session: Emotional Intelligence Mastery (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 2.4: The Five Pillars of Emotional Intelligence

• Self-awareness: Recognizing your emotions in real-time

• Self-regulation: Managing emotional responses effectively

• Motivation: Intrinsic drive and resilience

• Empathy: Understanding others’ emotional states

• Social skills: Building and maintaining relationships

Module 2.5: Managing Emotions in Professional Settings

• Emotional triggers and response patterns

• Stress management and emotional composure

• Handling difficult emotions: Anger, frustration, anxiety

• Emotional contagion and workplace atmosphere

• Cultural considerations: Emotional expression in GCC workplaces

• Workshop: Developing personal emotional intelligence action plan

Day 3: Building Trust and Collaborative Relationships

Morning Session: Trust as the Foundation (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 3.1: The Trust Equation

• Credibility: Demonstrating expertise and reliability

• Reliability: Consistency in words and actions

• Intimacy: Creating psychological safety

• Self-orientation: Balancing self-interest with others’ needs

• Rebuilding trust after breaches

Module 3.2: Relationship Building Strategies

• The relationship bank account concept

• Networking with authenticity and purpose

• Building bridges across departments and functions

• Mentorship and sponsorship relationships

• Professional boundaries and appropriate disclosure

Module 3.3: Cross-Cultural Relationship Management

• Cultural intelligence (CQ) fundamentals

• Cross-cultural communication in MENA workplace

• Working effectively with expatriates and nationals

• Generational differences: Traditionalists, Millennials, Gen Z

• Gender dynamics and professional interactions in GCC

Afternoon Session: Collaboration and Teamwork (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 3.4: Effective Team Collaboration

• Characteristics of high-performing teams

• Collaborative mindset versus competitive orientation

• Giving and receiving constructive feedback

• Shared accountability and mutual support

• Virtual collaboration tools and best practices

Module 3.5: Influence Without Authority

• Persuasion principles: Reciprocity, commitment, social proof, authority, liking, scarcity

• Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies

• Building coalitions and gaining buy-in

• Negotiation basics for win-win outcomes

• Case studies: Successful collaboration in GCC organizations

Day 4: Conflict Resolution and Difficult Conversations

Morning Session: Understanding and Managing Conflict (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 4.1: Conflict Dynamics and Types

• Sources of conflict: Goals, values, methods, facts, relationships

• Conflict escalation patterns and de-escalation techniques

• Conflict styles: Competing, accommodating, avoiding, compromising, collaborating

• Identifying your default conflict response

• Cultural perspectives on conflict in Middle Eastern contexts

Module 4.2: Constructive Conflict Resolution

• Interest-based versus position-based negotiation

• The DESC model: Describe, Express, Specify, Consequences

• Mediation techniques for workplace disputes

• Finding common ground and creative solutions

• Preserving relationships while addressing issues

Module 4.3: Difficult Conversations Framework

• Preparing mentally and emotionally for challenging discussions

• Opening difficult conversations with respect

• Staying curious rather than defensive

• Managing emotional intensity during conversations

• Closing with clarity and commitment

Afternoon Session: Assertiveness and Boundaries (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 4.4: Assertive Communication Skills

• Passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive styles

• “I” statements for expressing needs and concerns

• Saying “no” professionally and respectfully

• Standing firm while maintaining relationships

• Cultural nuances: Assertiveness in hierarchical GCC organizations

Module 4.5: Handling Difficult Personalities

• Recognizing difficult behavior patterns

• Strategies for dealing with: Aggressors, complainers, silent types, know-it-alls

• Maintaining composure with challenging individuals

• Setting and enforcing boundaries

• Knowing when to escalate or disengage

• Role-play scenarios: Navigating workplace conflicts

Day 5: Professional Presence and Relationship Sustainability

Morning Session: Professional Image and Etiquette (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Module 5.1: Professional Presence in GCC Context

• Dress codes and professional appearance standards

• Business etiquette: Greetings, introductions, hospitality

• Meeting protocols and participation standards

• Email and digital communication etiquette

• Social media professionalism and personal branding

Module 5.2: Effective Business Communication

• Writing professional emails and reports

• Presentation skills for engagement and impact

• Meeting facilitation and contribution techniques

• Telephone and video conferencing best practices

• Adapting communication for different audiences

Module 5.3: Building Your Professional Network

• Strategic networking in person and online

• LinkedIn and professional platform optimization

• Industry events and conference networking

• Follow-up strategies and relationship maintenance

• Giving value before asking for favors

Afternoon Session: Sustaining Positive Relationships (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM)

Module 5.4: Relationship Maintenance Strategies

• Regular check-ins and staying connected

• Showing appreciation and recognition

• Supporting colleagues during challenges

• Celebrating successes and milestones together

• Repairing relationships after misunderstandings

Module 5.5: Continuous Personal Development

• Seeking and acting on feedback

• Mentorship: Being a mentee and mentor

• Learning communities and peer support groups

• Reading and resources for ongoing growth

• 90-day interpersonal skills improvement plan

Module 5.6: Course Integration and Certification

• Comprehensive skills assessment and reflection

• Personal action plan: Applying skills in your workplace

• Peer coaching and accountability partnerships

• Role-play assessment: Demonstrating interpersonal competencies

• Certificate of completion and continuing education pathways

Course Delivery Methods

This interpersonal skills training program utilizes:

• Interactive workshops with experiential learning activities

• Real-world scenarios from Saudi and GCC workplace contexts

• Role-playing exercises for practical skill development

• Video analysis of communication techniques

• Self-assessment tools and personality inventories

• Peer feedback sessions for collaborative learning

• Case studies from regional organizations

• Digital resources for post-course reinforcement

Target Audience for KSA & GCC

Ideal for professionals including:

• Early to mid-career professionals seeking advancement

• Team leaders and supervisors

• Customer service and client-facing staff

• HR professionals and talent development specialists

• Sales and business development personnel

• Technical professionals transitioning to leadership

• Recent graduates entering the workforce

• Anyone seeking to enhance workplace relationships

Prerequisites: Open to all levels; English proficiency; commitment to personal development.

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this comprehensive training, participants will:

✓ Communicate clearly and confidently in diverse professional situations
✓ Build authentic, trust-based relationships across cultural boundaries
✓ Listen actively and demonstrate genuine empathy
✓ Apply emotional intelligence in workplace interactions
✓ Navigate conflicts constructively and maintain positive relationships
✓ Influence and collaborate effectively without formal authority
✓ Project professional presence aligned with GCC business standards
✓ Sustain meaningful professional networks throughout career

Transform Your Professional Relationships Today

In Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 era and across the dynamic GCC region, interpersonal excellence is not optional—it’s essential. Strong relationships drive collaboration, innovation, and career success. This 5-day intensive provides the foundational skills every professional needs to thrive in the modern Middle Eastern workplace.

Invest in your interpersonal skills—enroll today and unlock your full professional potential in KSA and GCC markets.