Course Overview

Understanding how to manage difficult conversations is essential when presenting negative findings, providing critical feedback, addressing controversial issues, delivering tough messages, and working with difficult stakeholders or team members. While these conversations are often seen as the domain of managers, the ability to navigate them skillfully is valuable for anyone working in interpersonal or team-based environments.

In this highly interactive session, participants will learn practical and actionable techniques to approach the delivery of negative findings, manage difficult stakeholders, and navigate challenging conversations in work settings. This includes learning how to better engage others during moments of tension or disagreement and applying these skills in both evaluation and broader professional contexts.

What You Will Learn

Participants will:

• Take and debrief a self-assessment to explore their conversation and communication style preferences
• Understand the three levels of conversation (facts, ego, and identity), especially in difficult situations
• Learn proven techniques for framing and managing difficult conversations, including third story, contribution systems, and others
• Apply the techniques to evaluation scenarios and other professional contexts

Course Format

This course includes one live, virtual, instructor-led module (or 1/2 day in-person). The session is interactive and includes presentations, applied case studies, role-play, and pair practice using real conversation scenarios. Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• Professionals in leadership or supervisory roles
• Team members navigating challenging work dynamics
• People who engage stakeholders, clients, or partners in high-stakes settings
• Anyone who wants to build confidence and skill in navigating tough conversations at work
• Individuals working in mission-driven, cross-functional, or collaborative environments where effective communication is essential

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites. All materials will be provided during the course.