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Preparing for Difficult Conversations
Handle tough interactions with confidencePreview the first lesson free — get full access to all 6 lessons.
Intermediate Provider : Kevin Leask 6 Lessons · 15m in Arabic, English, Spanish
Course Description
Having difficult conversations can get even more challenging when you procrastinate, and the problems behind them may get more serious. But having these conversations can be easier if you plan them out beforehand. Identifying the right time for the conversation and specifically addressing the issue will give you an idea of how to put your plan into action. And being mindful of your communication style can help you relate and speak openly with your employees. This will set everyone more at ease. Once you decide you need to have a difficult conversation, establishing clear goals will give an employee the focus they need to make positive change.
In this course, Preparing for Difficult Conversations, we’ll identify the stages of the conversation process and how to plan for difficult conversations. We’ll explore the best settings for difficult conversations, factoring in privacy, the employee’s state of mind, urgency, and organizational priorities. As you become more mindful of your default communication style, you’ll be better prepared to adapt to situations like accommodating diverse teams and handling complex interactions.
What You'll Learn
- Identify the different stages of the conversation process
- Plan when and where to have a tough discussion
- Define specific, clear objectives and goals for difficult conversations
- Recognize aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive, and assertive communication styles
- Map out difficult conversations and choose the best setting based on privacy, the employee's state of mind, urgency, and organizational priorities
- Adapt your default communication style to accommodate diverse teams and complex interactions
Key Takeaways
- Planning a difficult conversation beforehand makes it easier, while procrastinating can let the underlying problems get more serious.
- Identifying the right time and specifically addressing the issue helps you put your plan into action.
- Choosing the best setting means factoring in privacy, the employee's state of mind, urgency, and organizational priorities.
- Establishing clear goals gives an employee the focus they need to make positive change.
- Being mindful of your default communication style helps you relate, speak openly, and adapt to situations like accommodating diverse teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I learn in this course?
You'll learn to identify the stages of the conversation process, plan when and where to have a tough discussion, define clear objectives and goals, and recognize aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive, and assertive communication styles.
Who is this course for?
It is geared toward those who hold difficult conversations with employees, since it focuses on planning these discussions, establishing clear goals to help employees make positive change, and adapting to diverse teams.
How does the course help with choosing the setting for a difficult conversation?
It explores the best settings for difficult conversations, factoring in privacy, the employee's state of mind, urgency, and organizational priorities.
What topics do the lessons cover?
The lessons include an Introduction, Mapping Out Difficult Conversations, Identifying the Appropriate Time To Have a Difficult Conversation, Establishing Clear Objectives, Assessing Your Communication Style, and a Test Your Knowledge section.
What skills does this course build?
It builds skills in constructive feedback, interpersonal communications, and employee conflict resolution.
Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®)
Recertification Credits: 0.5
Project Management Institute (PMI®)
Professional Development Units (PDUs): 0.5
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
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™).
