Difficult Conversations

A difficult conversation is any conversation that you dread and perhaps seek to avoid, if possible. Learn how to make your office environment more productive and cohesive by learning essential techniques to improve workplace communications. Based on the groundbreaking work of the Harvard Project on Negotiations, through this workshop participants learn how to plan for and carry out a conversation about a challenging workplace issue or problem with a co-worker as well as other people their lives.

Topic areas include:

• Understanding the dimensions of a difficult conversation

• Understanding and practicing skills regarding the “what happened” conversation, e.g., truth v. perception; intention v. impact; blame v. contribution, the "feelings" conversation, and the "identity" conversation

• Putting it all together: preparing for and conducting a difficult conversation