Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Management Classroom: An Experiential Exercise to Improve Oral Communication

Abstract

Oral communication is a critical skill for business students. This article presents a 100-minute experiential exercise that utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy principles to enhance in-class discussion and presentation skills. It enables students to engage in self or group reflection and identify the thoughts, emotions, and behavior tendencies that influence their performance in oral interactions. An essential aspect of the exercise is to help students recognize and address “thinking traps,” which are counterproductive thought patterns that negatively impact their emotions and behaviors related to oral communication. The exercise concludes with goal-setting strategies to develop agency over oral communication skill development, equipping students to tackle the demands of college-level communication and skills required in their careers. While this exercise has been designed for integration into any undergraduate course that prioritizes classroom discussions and presentations, this exercise can be particularly beneficial for first-year students transitioning to college.