Communicating Up, Down and Across the Organization

Build credibility and influence at every level.

Learn. Apply. Succeed.

  • Build greater confidence and credibility in how you communicate with colleagues, direct reports and senior leaders
  • Strengthen rapport and trust by paying attention to how others experience your communication
  • Assess what different audiences need from you based on their role, priorities and communication preferences
  • Adapt your message and communication style so it connects more effectively with different people and situations
  • Plan messages around what you want others to know, believe, feel and do, and choose the right communication channel
  • Choose influencing strategies that fit the person and situation so you can gain support and move work forward
  • Bring the elements together by framing and practicing a real workplace message and planning how you will check understanding

Is This Course Right For You?

You want to feel more confident getting your ideas across, whether speaking with senior leaders, colleagues or direct reports.

98% of participants recommend this course.

Request More Information

The Learning Experience

  • Understand how you communicate and influence. Complete the Influence Strategies Exercise and guided reflection to identify your communication strengths, preferences and opportunities for greater impact.
  • Practice adapting your approach. Work through cases, partner exercises, group discussion and audio demonstrations to explore audience needs, message framing, influence and delivery.
  • Apply the learning to a real communication challenge. Prepare and practice a current workplace message, get feedback and leave with a specific action plan.

Duration: 14 Hours 
Delivered in classrooms across Canada and Live Online. 
Available for private delivery and customizable to match your organization’s needs. 

What People Are Saying

“This was a great workshop! Well organized, detailed and easy to understand workbook, and the instructor allowed for a lot of open discussion which lead me to find the answers I was looking for.”

- Rebecca V.

$2,695 Non Member Fee
$2,395 Member Fee
  • Date
    Location
    Time

Do you need a different date or location? We offer Courses On Request.

$2,695 Non Member Fee
$2,395 Member Fee
  • Date
    Location
    Time

Do you need a different date or location? We offer Courses On Request.

When colleagues learn together, everyone benefits!

Connect with an advisor to discuss delivering this course to your team.

Frequently Asked Questions

 What does communicating up, down and across the organization mean?

Communicating up, down and across the organization refers to effectively sharing information with senior leaders (up), direct reports (down) and peers or cross-functional teams (across). Strong organizational communication ensures alignment, reduces misunderstandings and improves performance at every level. This course teaches professionals how to adapt their communication style based on audience and influence.

 I struggle with communicating up to senior leadership. Can this course help?

Yes. Many professionals find it challenging to communicate up effectively. This course teaches how to present ideas clearly to executives, frame messages strategically, speak with confidence and align communication with leadership priorities. Participants learn how to gain credibility and influence decision makers.

 How can I improve communication across departments?

Improving communication across the organization requires clarity, active listening and an understanding of different communication styles. This course provides practical tools for reducing silos, strengthening collaboration and navigating cross-functional dynamics in complex business environments.

 Is this a business communication skills training course?

Yes. This is a comprehensive business communication skills training course, focused on real-world workplace challenges. It helps professionals improve clarity, manage difficult conversations and strengthen relationships at every level of the organization.

 What makes this different from other communication course?

Many corporate communication courses focus only on presentation skills. This program addresses day-to-day workplace communication—how to speak up in meetings, provide feedback, manage upward communication and collaborate across teams. It is designed for professionals who need practical strategies they can apply immediately.

 Who should attend this communication course?

This communication course is ideal for managers, team leaders and professionals who need to communicate effectively with executives, peers and direct reports. It is especially valuable for those navigating complex organizations where clear, strategic communication drives results.

Canadian Management Centre Also Recommends:

  • How To Communicate with Diplomacy, Tact and Credibility

    Build practical communication skills to speak with diplomacy and tact, strengthen credibility, listen more effectively and adapt your approach in challenging workplace situations.

    Learn More

  • Conflict Management Workshop

    Build practical conflict management skills to manage emotional reactions, communicate assertively, handle difficult conversations and resolve workplace conflict more effectively.

    Learn More

  • Getting Results Without Authority

    Learn how to build credibility, influence stakeholders, gain cooperation and negotiate effectively when you don’t have formal authority.

    Learn More

Course Reviews

4.4 ★★★★★★★★★★ 189 Reviews

Participant Feedback Summary (AI generated based on all reviews)

Participants say Communicating Up, Down and Across the Organization is relevant, informative, and useful for improving communication with managers, colleagues, teams, and others in day-to-day work. Many participants valued the interactive format, group activities, examples, and opportunities to connect the concepts to their own roles and communication challenges. Feedback often highlights the courses balance of theory, exercises, and practical takeaways, with participants noting that the material helped them refresh existing skills, gain new perspectives, and identify tools they could apply at work and in personal situations. Participants also described the course as well organized and engaging, with delivery that supported understanding and participation.

  • Communication across levels
  • Upward communication
  • Interactive practice
  • Workplace relevance

Recent Reviews

  • Past Participant, Program Manager Apr 19, 2026

  • O. El Aoumari, Senior Risk Advisor Apr 19, 2026

    Very interactive. Loved the group activities!

  • Past Participant, GIS Consultant Apr 8, 2026

  • Past Participant, Manager Plan Management Apr 8, 2026

  • Past Participant, Senior Specialist, EDI and Indigenous Engagement Mar 15, 2026

    Enjoyed the interactive elements and the practice opportunities throughout. Would have liked to see more opportunity to practice upwards communication.

Stay Connected

Copyright © 2025 CANADIAN MANAGEMENT CENTRE - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT & CAREER TRAINING | 150 King Street West, Suite 271 Toronto, ON  M5H 1J9, Canada | cmcinfo@cmcoutperform.com