A pre-requisite for this course would be training in some form of Communication Skills.

We can’t escape tough conversations at work – whether it’s speaking with a colleague about how their actions impact us, a boss about how we can’t ‘take on one more thing’, or someone using our services about expectations. This course is for you if you have difficulty delivering difficult messages at work, or avoid conflict, or are unsure how to address tensions. Conflicts handled badly, or avoided altogether, can sap creativity, tie up energy, destroy teamwork and lower productivity and morale. Dealing with, and engaging in, difficult conversations can bring peace of mind, lower stress, and better relationships at work. In this course, you will gain confidence and tools to engage in difficult conversations

Objectives

• Prepare a framework for any difficult conversation
• Foster collaboration and avoid the tendency to blame
• Apply behavioral language
• Apply steps to effective problem-solving

Facilitator: Julia Menard is a trained mediator and Professional Certified Coach.  She’s also on the teaching team at the Justice Institute’s Centre for Conflict Resolution - where she’s helped hundreds of executives prepare for difficult conversations since 1998.  Julia has a background in managing volunteers as well as mediating community, civil and criminal mediations.  She now specializes in mediating and coaching for leaders in large organizations.  Julia has run many courses on preparing for difficult conversations and publishes her own newsletter on collaborative topics in health, the environment and negotiation.