Michael Madson

Cohort 1

Professor, founder, author, trainer

Expert in technical communication, workplace training, and audience engagement

Clear communication turns expertise into influence

Michael Madson, PhD

Technical professionals are increasingly expected to communicate across expertise gaps. Engineers explain systems to executives. Data analysts present findings to clients. Researchers communicate with policymakers, journalists, and the public. Yet, most of these technical professionals receive little formal training in how to communicate complex ideas clearly to non-specialists.This workshop helps technical professionals develop time-tested, practical strategies for translating expertise into understanding without oversimplifying important ideas. Participants will learn how to reduce jargon, structure explanations more effectively, adapt communication to different audiences, communicate uncertainty and risk, and use examples and analogies strategically. The workshop also addresses emerging challenges in the AI era, where the ability to interpret, contextualize, and explain information has become more valuable, not less. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, participants will leave with tools they can apply immediately to presentations, reports, meetings, documentation, client interactions, public communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

Technical professionals who need to convey complex information to clients, executives, external stakeholders, or cross-functional teams.

Product, UX, and operations professionals translating technical insights into decisions and organizational action.

Managers who need to communicate with public audiences, build alignment across teams, and influence decision-making on technical matters.

Better Listening, Better Leadership, Better Outcomes

Many workplace problems are not caused by a lack of intelligence or technical skill. They happen because people feel unheard, misunderstood, dismissed, or defensive. Projects stall, feedback conversations go poorly, tensions escalate, and teams lose trust when people listen only long enough to respond instead of long enough to understand. In fast-moving professional environments filled with distraction, multitasking, and information overload, strong listening skills have become both rare and extremely valuable.In this workshop, we will learn how active listening can improve difficult conversations, strengthen relationships, manage conflict, and help you communicate more effectively across differences in personality, expertise, and authority. Rather than offering vague advice, the workshop focuses on practical strategies you can use immediately, including paraphrasing, emotional labeling, mirroring, validation, silence, agenda setting, and redirecting conversations productively. We will examine both strong and weak examples of listening, identify common communication barriers, and practice techniques that help people feel respected, understood, and willing to engage.

The Overloaded Manager. You lead meetings, manage conflict, and give feedback, but conversations often feel rushed, tense, or unproductive.

The Technical Professional. You are skilled in your field but want to engage more constructively with clients, coworkers, &amp; non-specialists.

The Emerging Leader. You want to expand your influence, ask better questions, minimize misunderstandings, and build stronger teams.

Build a personal system for understanding, practice, and mastery

Arizona State University

Harvard Extension School

Yonsei University

Most professionals are expected to learn continuously, but few have been taught how to learn efficiently. Information moves quickly, workplace expectations change constantly, and formal training often arrives too late, costs too much, or fails to address immediate needs. As a result, many people spend hours consuming content without retaining it, applying it, or turning it into meaningful skill growth.This workshop helps participants build a practical system for self-directed learning using generative AI tools. Instead of treating AI as a shortcut, participants will learn how to use it as a learning partner that improves comprehension, retention, practice, reflection, and accountability. The workshop focuses on strategies that busy professionals can apply immediately: breaking down complex topics, identifying knowledge gaps, generating practice exercises, improving memory through active recall, and creating personalized learning workflows.In a workplace where adaptability is increasingly valuable, the ability to direct your own learning may become one of the most important professional advantages.

Over-extended Professionals. You are trying keep up with changing tools, workflows, and expectations but lack the time for long courses.

Career Switchers. You are trying to break into a new field without returning to school and looking for ways to build new competencies.

Cross-Functional Leaders. You constantly learn across domains and need efficient systems for absorbing and applying information fast.

Learn directly from Michael Madson

Michael Madson

Workshops

Make complexity click: Communication strategies for technical professionals

Active listening: Elevate workplace conversations, relationships, and decisions

AI for Self-Directed Learning: Build Knowledge and Skills Faster