This workshop focuses on developing skills to have quality conversations to improve interaction, inclusion and performance. Participants explore managing emotions, influencing others and building trust to improve outcomes, even in pressurised situations.
Course Context
Constructive conversations are one of the key things that characterise high-performing organisations and teams. Research has highlighted that effective performance will inevitably mean that constructive conversations take place and are skilfully handled when they do.
People may avoid conversations because of fear of conflict, lack of confidence, uncertainty about what to say, not wanting to hurt other people’s feelings, and not wanting to be seen as troublemakers. This practical workshop aims to tackle these barriers by focusing on the critical aspects of planning for and carrying out constructive conversations in various situations.
This training can also be delivered as a 1-day course with extra emphasis on skills-building sessions.
How will participants benefit from this training?
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe the range of potential constructive conversations and the importance of having them.
- Prepare for and initiate constructive conversations to address key issues collaboratively.
- Adopt a range of skills and behaviours to manage the conversation effectively to achieve a positive outcome.
- Respond appropriately to emotion, resistance, and stress during a challenging conversation.
- Apply essential conversational skills and behaviours to a range of potentially challenging scenarios.
Who would benefit from attending this course?
This course is suitable for employees and managers and can be adapted to reflect the most common types of conversations in your workplace.
We can also deliver a course specifically for managers emphasising coaching conversations, responding to team members' emotions and developing skills to handle pressure-filled conversations whilst maintaining trust and engagement.
The course content and capacity can be customised for individuality and to meet organisations’ specific learning criteria. Consultancy in having constructive conversations is also an option either as a standalone service or in conjunction with training.
Course Overview
The workshop includes practical exercises, group brainstorming, discussion, feedback and Q&A.
The course content includes:
Constructive conversations – types and approach
- Exploring different types of constructive conversations, for example, performance, behaviour, absence, mental health, complaints, etc.
- Key principles of how to handle conversations in terms of trust, talking early, win-win, shared outcomes
Key skills for conversational agility
- Different types of influencing approaches
- Practising influencing to gain positive outcomes
- The role of coaching and feedback
- Active listening skills
Handling emotion and resistance
- How to work constructively with resistance
- Techniques to avoid drama and respond to challenging situations/behaviour
- Staying resilient "in the moment"
Practical application
- Exploring scenarios and practice in applying approaches to a range of situations
Review & summary
- Workshop review, discussion, next steps and action planning
Participants' Comments Following the Constructive Conversations Course
"I found this course really engaging and informative. I am sure that I can use these techniques to give me the confidence to handle constructive conversations that you need to have both in the workplace, and personal life."
"I have gained useful information and techniques to be able to communicate more effectively, also to acknowledge the emotion. I liked the solution focused section as I could visualise using that a lot."
"This was a helpful and very practical course that has given me a box of tools that I will use in my everyday workplace - to have more constructive conversations with teams, customers and communities."
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Find out more
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
We are always happy to talk about our courses and help you to work out the best match for your requirements.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
"The quality of the training has been fantastic and our employees are really engaging with the trainer and getting something out of it. Also In Equilibrium makes the whole process very easy to arrange."
"We wanted to provide a course that taught useful and practical coping strategies that our members could put into place straight away. In Equilibrium’s experience showed us that they could provide this, and they tailored the course perfectly."
"In-Equilibrium recently presented Mental Health Awareness to Managers in all of our area offices. The training was really well received and all of the trainers were praised for their in-depth knowledge and understanding."
"The training was very well received by staff who now all intend to implement the session’s practical tips and techniques into their existing roles. A large proportion of the staff rated the facilitator and their delivery as excellent and their only recommendation was for a further and longer session!"
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