A 9-part course for understanding--and applying--the "finer skills" behind engaging in difficult conversations. Course participants will:
- Understand what defines a "difficult conversation"
- Identify and prepare to manage the emotional triggers behind all difficult conversations
- Develop the essential communication skills necessary for engaging in a productive essential conversation
- Discover several preparation steps and communication models that assist in difficult conversations
- Learn the key pieces behind performance-based difficult conversations and those without authority
- Know how to recover when a difficult conversation gets derailed
What Will Be Taught?
We all have to engage in difficult conversations from time to time. Whether it be around a performance of a subordinate, giving feedback to a superior, or telling a colleague that they need to "step it up", we all have to figure out how to approach these challenging discussions. Hopefully, the goal is to come to a win-win solution. This course teaches us how to do just that.
Course Structure
Module 1: Course Overview and Instructor Introductions
Module 2: The Value (and "How To's") of Self-management
Module 3: Communication Essentials and Models for Success
Module 4: How to Prepare for the Conversation
Module 5: Performance-based Difficult Conversations
Module 6: Difficult Conversations Without Authority
Module 7: An Individual Approach to Difficult Conversations
Module 8: Recovering the Conversation
Module 9: All Course Resources
What's Included?
● Nine recorded online training modules from three professional coaches who provide relevant activities, tool, and techniques
● Content-relevant worksheets to enhance participant learning
● Printable handouts to supplement the main lessons
● Expert-led content facilitation from three professional coaches
● Optional coaching add-ons to maximize the learning experience
● All available online so you can learn at your own pace and in your own space (no required meetings)
Example Curriculum
Course Instructors
Kelley Ashby
Kelley Ashby is an independent trainer, consultant, and coach specializing in enhancing employee’s skills, creating positive work cultures, and increasing employee engagement. She is a certified Emotional Intelligence trainer and coach and helps Genos North America certify other emotional intelligence practitioners. Ashby develops and delivers customized services to enhance the competencies and leadership talents of professional staff, leaders, and managers. She co-authored the University of Iowa's Career Leadership Academy curriculum, played a critical role in the development of Iowa's Certificate in Leadership Studies, and taught leadership courses for numerous years. Kelley brings with her more than 20 years of experience in training others to be effective and inspirational leaders.
Erin Clymer Lessard
Erin Clymer Lessard is a credentialed (PCC) international coach and consultant who has worked in some of the US’s largest multinationals in diverse industries. Erin builds leadership and team system capabilities through a comprehensive set of processes inspired by Coactive Coaching, Somatics, Organizational and Relationship Systems and Internal Family Systems. She is the author of Decision Flow: The Authentic Leader’s Guide to Making the Right Decision When the Stakes are High. Erin holds an MBA from Duquesne University.
Tom Renehan
Tom Renehan is a part-time lecturer in Leadership for the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern’s Roux Institute. Renehan has more than 30 years of experience in leadership positions across several sales organizations. He has taught at both the graduate and undergraduate levels at institutions including Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and University of Phoenix. Renehan has an MBA from Wake Forest and completed his undergraduate work at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Currently, Renehan has his own business and is a Certified Professional Coach who specializes in Leadership; he works with mid- and senior-level managers to help develop their skills as leaders.
