KnowledgeCity

Facilitating Difficult Conversations

Remove barriers to communication in tough conversations
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Course: On-Demand
Intermediate  Provider Kevin Leask  6 Lessons ·  16m  in Arabic, English, Spanish 

Course Description

Your emotional reactions, and your participant’s reactions, play a big role in how effectively a difficult conversation plays out. As a manager, you’ll occasionally have to lead discussions on potentially sensitive topics, like employee performance concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and organizational changes. Uncontrolled emotions can result in miscommunications that can be hard to plan for. But there are some ways to prepare and make sure that a tough discussion goes smoothly. Common missteps like interruptions, making assumptions, and letting emotions drive the discussion can derail a difficult conversation. Simple preparation can help you confront these issues if they arise during your tough conversation.

In our course on Facilitating Difficult Conversations, we’ll identify ways you can manage your emotions properly. We’ll also address common barriers to communication. We’ll explore common mistakes made in difficult conversations and how you can avoid them. By the end of this course, you’ll be empowered to address topics that may be uncomfortable and use emotional intelligence to tactfully navigate sensitive topics.

What You'll Learn

  • Manage your emotional approach when leading difficult conversations
  • Identify common communication mistakes that can derail tough discussions
  • Recognize and overcome common barriers to communication
  • Approach sensitive or avoided topics tactfully
  • Address potentially uncomfortable topics using emotional intelligence

Key Takeaways

  • Emotional reactions from both the manager and the participant strongly influence how a difficult conversation plays out.
  • Uncontrolled emotions can lead to miscommunications that are hard to plan for.
  • Common missteps such as interruptions, making assumptions, and letting emotions drive the discussion can derail a difficult conversation.
  • Simple preparation can help managers confront issues that arise during a tough conversation.
  • Emotional intelligence helps managers navigate sensitive topics tactfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

It is for managers who occasionally have to lead discussions on potentially sensitive topics, such as employee performance concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and organizational changes.

What will this course help me do?

It helps you manage your emotions properly, address common barriers to communication, and avoid common mistakes so you can tactfully navigate sensitive topics using emotional intelligence.

What topics does the course cover?

The course covers managing your emotions, overcoming common barriers for difficult conversations, addressing sensitive or avoided issues, and common mistakes to avoid.

What skills does this course focus on?

It focuses on Active Listening and Empathy.

What lessons are included?

Lessons include Introduction; Properly Managing Your Emotions; Overcoming Common Barriers for Difficult Conversations; Addressing Sensitive or Avoided Issues; Common Mistakes To Avoid; and Test Your Knowledge.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®)

Recertification Credits: 0.5

Certification Program Categories:
HR GeneralBusinessCaliforniaGlobal

This Program has been pre-approved for (Number of recertification credit hours & credit type) toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

Project Management Institute (PMI®)

Professional Development Units (PDUs): 0.5

Certification Program Categories:
Ways of WorkingPower SkillsBusiness Acumen

KnowledgeCity has been reviewed and approved by the PMI® Authorized Training Partner Program. Users can maintain your PMI credentials by earning PDUs from KnowledgeCity qualified courses in Project Management, Business Management, Leadership and many others.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®)

Professional Development Credits (PDCs): 0.5

Certification Program Categories:
Leadership & NavigationBusiness AcumenConsultationGlobal MindsetEthical PracticeRelationship ManagementAnalytical AptitudeCommunicationDiversity, Equity & Inclusion

KnowledgeCity is approved by SHRM as a Recertification General Provider to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). By taking the courses approved by SHRM, KnowledgeCity can award SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for HR knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (the SHRM BASK™).