Communication Skills: I said it. That doesn’t mean you heard it
Clear communication is one of the most important professional skills - and one of the easiest to get wrong. This session explores why misunderstandings happen even when everyone has good intent, and how clarity can be built deliberately rather than assumed.
ACS Canberra Hub, Suite 3 Level 5 64 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT, 2601
Tue 21 Apr 2026 04:30 PM AEST
Duration: 2.0 hours
Register by Sun 19 Apr 2026 11:59 PM AEST
Contact Event Organiser
In Person
CPD Hours: 2
Skills Level: -
About this event
Communication is one of the most relied-upon professional skills, and one of that can be chaotic, confusing and leading to conflict.
We often assume that because we’ve said something, written something, or shown something, it’s been understood. Most of the time, it hasn’t. Not because people aren’t trying, not because they are failing to work towards the same goal, but because clarity is rarely built intentionally.
We’ll explore communication as a shared act, not a one-way delivery. Through reflection and story (and a little Lego), we’ll see how easily outcomes can drift when intent, requirements, and understanding are misaligned, even when everyone is acting in good faith.
The focus shifts to the practical work of building clarity together. Understanding where responsibility sits, both with the person speaking and the person receiving.
At its core, this is about confidence in clarity. Because most conflict isn’t caused by bad intent. It’s caused by misunderstanding. And when clarity is built deliberately, candidly, without malice, manipulation (Leading to misunderstanding), our work together becomes more powerful.
Speaker
The session will be delivered by Mike Meyer, CP, Snr MACS and experienced leader working at the intersection of technology, human behaviour, and decision-making. Known for his calm, practical, and human-centred approach, he helps professionals make sense of complexity, build shared understanding, and communicate with confidence in real-world settings.
This event is ideal for emerging professionals and anyone looking to communicate with confidence, reduce friction, and work more effectively with others.
Event run sheet (Draft)
4:30 PM –5:00 PM:
Registrations and arrival tea & coffee
Main presentation
5:00 PM - 5:05 PM: Welcome & acknowledgement of Country & Housekeeping
5:05 PM - 5:45 PM: Main presentation
5:45 PM - 5:55 PM: Q & A
5:55 PM – 6:00 PM: Wrap up - ACS benefits and upcoming events
6:00 PM: Group photos & light refreshment
6:30 PM: Event concluded
We often assume that because we’ve said something, written something, or shown something, it’s been understood. Most of the time, it hasn’t. Not because people aren’t trying, not because they are failing to work towards the same goal, but because clarity is rarely built intentionally.
We’ll explore communication as a shared act, not a one-way delivery. Through reflection and story (and a little Lego), we’ll see how easily outcomes can drift when intent, requirements, and understanding are misaligned, even when everyone is acting in good faith.
The focus shifts to the practical work of building clarity together. Understanding where responsibility sits, both with the person speaking and the person receiving.
At its core, this is about confidence in clarity. Because most conflict isn’t caused by bad intent. It’s caused by misunderstanding. And when clarity is built deliberately, candidly, without malice, manipulation (Leading to misunderstanding), our work together becomes more powerful.
Speaker
The session will be delivered by Mike Meyer, CP, Snr MACS and experienced leader working at the intersection of technology, human behaviour, and decision-making. Known for his calm, practical, and human-centred approach, he helps professionals make sense of complexity, build shared understanding, and communicate with confidence in real-world settings.
This event is ideal for emerging professionals and anyone looking to communicate with confidence, reduce friction, and work more effectively with others.
Event run sheet (Draft)
4:30 PM –5:00 PM:
Registrations and arrival tea & coffee
Main presentation
5:00 PM - 5:05 PM: Welcome & acknowledgement of Country & Housekeeping
5:05 PM - 5:45 PM: Main presentation
5:45 PM - 5:55 PM: Q & A
5:55 PM – 6:00 PM: Wrap up - ACS benefits and upcoming events
6:00 PM: Group photos & light refreshment
6:30 PM: Event concluded
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Michael Meyer
CP, Snr MACS, Founder and Neurodivergent Leader, M31
Mike Meyer is a neurodivergent leader and advisor who works at the intersection of human behaviour, business, technology, and decision-making. With nearly three decades across digital systems, enterprise technology, advisory, and leadership development, he is known for helping people make sense of complexity without flattening it into frameworks or slogans. Mike holds formal leadership qualifications (including original research), is a Senior Member and Certified Professional of the Australian Computer Society, and has contributed extensively through mentoring, community leadership, professional education, and innovation in business advisory. His work is grounded in real systems, real consequences, and real responsibility. Calm, candid, and deeply considered, his style creates space for people to think clearly, ask better questions, and take ownership without fear, coercion, or performance theatre.
He is the author of Weird is the New Normal: The Unlikely Path of Leadership, a story-led exploration written for different-minded leaders who read between the lines and never fit the old models. Mike’s work champions those who spot patterns early, carry responsibility quietly, and care deeply about doing things properly. He is deliberately hands-on by nature (building digital platforms, designing systems, mentoring leaders, facilitating rooms, and using LEGO to surface uncomfortable truths about communication, assumption, and clarity). Beyond the work, he brings the same human-centred presence as a motorsport chaplain and lifelong builder (whether with systems, stories, or bricks). Across speaking, advisory, and education, his focus remains constant: clarity over noise, responsibility without blame, and leadership that is digitally fluent, grounded in reality, and unmistakably human.
He is the author of Weird is the New Normal: The Unlikely Path of Leadership, a story-led exploration written for different-minded leaders who read between the lines and never fit the old models. Mike’s work champions those who spot patterns early, carry responsibility quietly, and care deeply about doing things properly. He is deliberately hands-on by nature (building digital platforms, designing systems, mentoring leaders, facilitating rooms, and using LEGO to surface uncomfortable truths about communication, assumption, and clarity). Beyond the work, he brings the same human-centred presence as a motorsport chaplain and lifelong builder (whether with systems, stories, or bricks). Across speaking, advisory, and education, his focus remains constant: clarity over noise, responsibility without blame, and leadership that is digitally fluent, grounded in reality, and unmistakably human.
Event Location
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Event Terms & Conditions
Registration
- Payment in full is required the time of booking in order for the registration to be valid.
- To avoid disappointment, ensure you pay for your booking(s) before the registration closing date. Anyone that has not received a confirmation email will not be on the event attendance list and therefore will not be admitted to the event.
- Online registration ends at the time stated on the event details page.
Cancellation and Refund
All cancellations must be processed through the website, a refund will only be considered if it is at least 3 working days prior to the event.
Disclaimer
- ACS reserves the right to change the program at any time. Every effort will be made to ensure a program of equivalent standard and members are updated with changes.
- All dietary requirements are considered, however we cannot guarantee a 100% allergen free environment.
- ACS reserves the right to prohibit entry or eject any person from an ACS event based on behaviour deemed inappropriate by ACS staff, its agents and/or others working under its authority.
- Filming or streaming by attendees is not permitted. If an attendee is found to be doing so they will be asked to leave the event immediately and further action may be taken.
- Photography and/or filming may take place during this event, by accepting these terms you consent to this. Please let a member of ACS know if you do not want your picture taken.
COVID-19 Event Attendance Compliance
By registering to attend an ACS in person event you are agreeing to the below terms and conditions
- If an attendee is displaying flu or cold like symptoms in the days leading up to the event and therefore is not able to attend, ACS will refund the registration fee.
- If an attendee comes to an event and is displaying flu or cold like symptoms they will be asked to leave
- We ask all ACS members to respect the social distancing guidelines, if an attendee repeatedly disregards these guidelines, they may be asked to leave
- ACS reserves the right to cancel the event within 24 hours' notice if either the speaker or the event host has advised us that they are exhibiting flu or cold like symptoms
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