Challenging conversations are often the ones people avoid, yet they are essential to resolving issues, maintaining trust and keeping projects on track.
In complex design environments where project pressures are high, priorities can conflict across multidisciplinary design teams, let alone with client expectations. In these situations, the ability to address problems openly and constructively becomes a vital professional skill.
Who this course is for
This course is designed for delegates from the same organisation. It can be tailored to suit senior teams or those who are newly promoted or preparing to take on greater responsibility on projects.
It is especially pertinent for those who find themselves representing a practice in conversations with other project stakeholders, be they a difficult client, a collaborator, a contractor, or a member of the public. It will also help navigate in-house communications, smoothing relationships between colleagues, wherever they sit in the practice hierarchy.
We recommend that the number of delegates is limited to between eight and 12. This is so that we can engage with everyone and pick up questions.
Course format
Beth Stallwood runs this course for us. Beth has a reputation for being an inspiring trainer with an energetic and uplifting style, balancing support and challenge in equal measure and enabling people to empower themselves to achieve their goals.
This is a highly interactive, 90-minute, online course that combines theory with practical applications. It is designed to ensure delegates get the best from the online format while avoiding screen-fatigue.
We like using Zoom but we are happy to use other platforms if preferred by our clients.
This course is also available as a half-day in-person session, in which group activities, case studies and discussions are added to the online content to ensure full participation and relevance to real life.
Course content
This course provides practical tools to help delegates prepare for, navigate and follow up on difficult conversations with colleagues, collaborators and clients.
Topics addressed in this course include:
- Understanding what challenging conversations are and why it is important to have them.
- Potential benefits and blockers of having challenging conversations.
- Core steps to preparing for, having and following up on challenging conversations, with both colleagues and clients.
- Typical challenging conversations that arise in the office and on projects, and considering how to approach them in the future.
- Suggested homework.
Associated courses
This is one of three online courses under the topic of 'Team Development'.
Each has been designed to stand alone but they also work well in sequence when combined, particularly for practices that are looking for a rounded training package, encompassing the wider issues of good leadership and communication.
Please refer to the related content below and to the training and coaching page on this website.
CPD
If required, CPD Certificates can be issued to all attendees.
