Let’s be real—communicating well sounds simple, but in practice? It can be a hot mess. Whether you’re trying to get your point across at work, navigating a tricky convo with a friend, or attempting to persuade your boss without sounding like you’re trying too hard, communication is everywhere.
So I decided to check out “Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better” on Udemy to see if it could actually help sharpen my skills. Spoiler: It’s a solid course with some surprisingly practical takeaways.
Instructor Reputation
One of the first things I look at before diving into any online course—especially on platforms like Udemy—is the instructor. Are they legit? Do they have real-world experience, or are they just good at making PowerPoint slides?
In this case, Dr. Lorraine Wiseman brings the heat.
She’s not just someone who’s read a bunch of books about communication—she’s lived it. With over 25 years of experience as a global executive, Lorraine has held presidential roles in seven companies across six different countries. That alone already tells you she’s been around the block a few times when it comes to navigating high-level conversations, tough leadership decisions, and managing a wide variety of people and personalities.
What I liked most about Lorraine’s approach is that she doesn’t come off as stiff or overly academic. She talks to you like a real person. Her tone is confident and professional, but it’s also very human. You can tell she actually wants you to learn this stuff—not just passively sit through a few lectures.
Her Udemy profile is also pretty impressive:
- 4.5 average instructor rating
- 232,000+ reviews
- Over 430,000 students
- 10 courses total, many of which focus on leadership, change management, and organizational development.
All of this makes her a great fit to teach communication, especially in a professional context. She’s clearly seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to influencing people, working across cultures, and leading teams through change. And in this course, she passes that knowledge on in a way that feels really accessible—even if you’re just starting to build your communication skills.
Long story short: Lorraine’s the real deal, and her experience shows.
Course Structure
Now let’s talk about how “Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better” is put together, because structure can really make or break your learning experience—especially when it comes to a topic as broad and nuanced as communication.
The course is broken up into clear, manageable modules that you can easily work through at your own pace. No giant blocks of lecture or 40-minute videos here. Each lesson is concise, usually just a few minutes long, and laser-focused on a specific concept. So whether you’ve got 10 minutes before a meeting or you’re binge-learning on a Sunday, it’s super easy to fit into your schedule.
It starts with foundational ideas—like what communication actually is (spoiler: it’s more than just talking)—and gradually moves into more nuanced skills like persuasion techniques, delivering bad news, and cross-cultural communication.
Here’s what you can expect as you go through:
- Understanding personality types: This section helps you recognize different communication styles and shows you how to adjust your approach depending on who you’re talking to. Super helpful if you work on a diverse team or have to deal with “strong personalities” (you know the ones).
- Formal vs. informal communication: Ever wonder when to send a Slack vs. when to write a well-crafted email? Or how to sound professional without sounding robotic? This part clears that up.
- Practicing empathy: One thing I really appreciated was the focus on putting yourself in the listener’s shoes. Communication isn’t just about what you say—it’s about what the other person hears and feels. Lorraine breaks that down really well.
- The power of silence: Surprisingly powerful and totally underused. There’s a whole section on how silence can actually be a tool, not just an awkward pause.
- Persuasion strategies: This was one of my favorite parts. You’ll learn how to be persuasive without being pushy, and how to tailor your message based on different personality types. Think of it as Communication Jedi training.
The course also includes six interactive exercises, which are great for turning what you’ve learned into muscle memory. You won’t just watch videos—you’ll actually do stuff, which really helps the ideas stick.
What I also liked was how practical the examples were. Lorraine doesn’t throw in random theory—she gives you real scenarios and breakdowns that feel relevant, whether you’re working in a corporate office, managing a team remotely, or just trying to communicate more clearly with family and friends.
Overall, the structure is user-friendly, well-paced, and full of “aha!” moments. It’s the kind of course you can keep coming back to for a quick refresher before an important meeting or conversation.
Content Quality
If you’ve ever taken an online course that promised a lot but left you with nothing but a few vague bullet points and a headache, you’re not alone. Thankfully, this course is not that. The content here is actually useful, well thought out, and—maybe most importantly—immediately applicable.
What really stood out to me was how practical everything was. You’re not just learning about communication theory in some abstract way. Lorraine gives you frameworks and strategies that you can plug into your everyday life right now. From how to tailor your message based on who you’re talking to, to how to communicate more clearly in high-stakes situations, everything feels grounded in the real world.
The course strikes a great balance between foundational principles and more advanced topics. So whether you’re totally new to communication training or you’ve read a few books on the subject already, there’s value here. You’ll walk away with both “aha!” insights and some solid tactical skills.
A few highlights for me:
- The breakdown of communication styles: Understanding how different people prefer to give and receive information is such a game changer. This section helped me rethink how I approach certain conversations at work—and even a couple at home, if I’m honest.
- Formal vs. informal tone: I didn’t realize how often I blur the lines between the two, especially when multitasking or responding quickly. This part helped me be more intentional about how I communicate depending on context.
- Silence as a strategy: This one surprised me. There’s a section on using silence effectively—whether in negotiation, delivering bad news, or just giving people space to process. It made me reflect on how often I try to fill every moment with words, and how sometimes the best thing to say… is nothing.
- Persuasion techniques: Instead of teaching one-size-fits-all persuasion, Lorraine explains how to adjust your style based on personality types. It’s a subtle skill, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a game-changer—especially if you’re in sales, leadership, or any role where influencing others is part of the job.
Another thing worth mentioning is how clean the delivery is. No fluff, no rambling. Each video is focused and intentional. You’re not wasting time. And the inclusion of real examples and guided exercises keeps things interactive. You’re not just watching—you’re thinking, applying, and reflecting. That makes a huge difference in retention.
Overall, the content is thorough without being overwhelming, and it’s designed with the learner’s experience in mind. Whether you’re an introvert trying to navigate workplace dynamics or a leader trying to motivate your team, there’s something in here for you.
Overall Course Rating – 8.7/10
If I had to give “Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better” a rating out of 10, I’d land confidently at 8.7. It’s well-structured, highly relevant, and the instructor brings a ton of experience to the table without making it feel like a lecture from a corner office exec. It’s that sweet spot between practical and insightful, and you’ll come out of it with tools you can start using immediately.
There are so many courses out there on communication that either stay surface-level or go way too deep into technical jargon. This one threads the needle perfectly. Lorraine manages to keep things approachable without dumbing anything down. Even if you’ve never taken a communications course before, you’ll feel right at home. And if you have? You’ll still pick up some gold nuggets you haven’t heard before.
The interactive components were another big win for me. The six exercises scattered throughout the course make a noticeable difference in how you process the material. It’s not passive learning—you’re engaged, and it helps the lessons stick. I found myself thinking back to them during actual conversations, which is pretty much the ultimate test of a course like this.
Now, why not a perfect 10? Honestly, I think a few additional real-world video examples or case studies could’ve taken this to the next level. Maybe a role-play scenario or a breakdown of a real conversation would’ve added even more depth and relatability. That said, for the price point and the amount of value packed into a relatively short course, it still punches well above its weight.
To sum it all up: Communication Fundamentals: How To Communicate Better is a smart, approachable, and refreshingly useful course that doesn’t just tell you what good communication looks like—it shows you how to actually do it. Whether you’re looking to boost your confidence, lead a team more effectively, or just stop dreading difficult conversations, this course will help you level up.
