Build Trust With Difficult Conversations Through Honest and Respectful Dialogue.
Courageous Conversations
This training will introduce radical candor as a model to professionally navigate difficult conversations.
What is Courageous Conversations Training?
This training will introduce radical candor as a model to find the sweet spot between being either too aggressive or too passive in courageous conversations. Knowing how to be candid with care builds trust in manager/report relationships, empowers employees to focus on issues, and creates a culture of open communication. Participants will walk away understanding where their natural tendencies in courageous conversations are, the barriers that keep them from being fully candid, and the impact when we use radical candor.
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Frontline offers Courageous Conversations both in person at our West Michigan training facility and virtually or onsite at workplaces anywhere in the country.
Who is it for?
Anyone looking to improve their interpersonal communication skills. Participants include individuals, contributors and leaders of all levels. Content is delivered in a way to be relevant to any industry or profession.
What You Will Learn
This 6-hour training takes place in two 3-hour sessions virtually or one 6-hour session in person. In these sessions you will cover:
- What Is a Courageous Conversation: A courageous conversation is defined as the courage to have a meaningful conversation that leads to progress. In this training participants will explore this definition and contrast this to the idea of “difficult conversations”.
- The Radical Candor Model: Participants will explore the four quadrant radical candor model to understand their own tendencies in courageous conversations, and how to have the right balance of care for others and directness to achieve the best results in their courageous conversations.
- Six Steps to Courageous Conversations: When it comes to courageous conversations, following a process is key. Participants will learn a proven six step process to follow when facing any challenging conversation.
- Steps to Receiving Feedback: If you are having a courageous conversation with others and giving feedback it is equally as important to be able to receive feedback well when it is presented to you. Rather than taking an emotional response, participants will learn a four step process to follow whenever a coworker shares feedback with them.
Benefits of Courageous Conversations
There are many benefits to bringing Courageous Conversations into your workplace, such as:
People often avoid conversations where they need to deliver feedback to someone else, or they approach the conversation in the wrong way and outcome is less than ideal. When participants begin following the courageous conversations approach they stop avoiding these conversations and begin to deliver feedback in way where it is received better and acted upon.
We believe positive feedback is anything that can help an individual or organization be better. When your team applies the principles of courageous conversation and receiving feedback, it can create a culture of feedback which propels your entire organization to the next level.
Participants will explore their own tendencies when it comes to courageous conversations. This will increase their self-awareness and allow them to flex towards a more effective style.
HRCI
This training offers 6 credits
SHRM
This training offers 6 credits
Program Details and Registration
Virtual Training Program Details
All virtual sessions are live, instructor-led. Virtual training takes place over a Zoom meeting. Class sizes are limited to 20 participants so that interaction and learning are maximized. Once registered, participants will receive details on how to join the Zoom meeting.
Courageous Conversations virtual training includes:
- 6 hours of live virtual training and activities
- Digital training manual, and additional resources. These will be sent via email before the first session.
Format: Two 3-hour sessions delivered virtually over two weeks.
Online Platform: Zoom.us
For Participation You Will Need:
- A computer, laptop, iPad, or smart phone
- Internet access
In Person Training Program Details
Courageous Conversations is available in person at our training facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a virtual training format, or onsite at your company anywhere in the country. Class sizes are limited to 20 participants so that interaction and learning are maximized.
Courageous Conversations in person training includes:
- 6 hours of training and activities
- Training workbook, templates, and tools
Format: One 6-hour session delivered in person.
Location: 1760 44th Street SW, Suite 10, Grand Rapids, MI 49519
Custom Solutions
Receive Customized Training
We offer customized training, both in person and virtual, for teams across the country. If you’d like a customized training on Courageous Conversations for your team, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You are not alone. In fact, most people are very uncomfortable with holding challenging conversations. Therefore, we work hard to understand the barriers that get in the way of making these conversations more productive including, removing drama and ego, and sticking to the issue. Just like any skill, you will get more comfortable with practice and experience. This training doesn’t just teach the concepts you need, participants will also get practice through activities during the training experience.
This training will teach the six step process to holding a courageous conversations:
- Temperature check
- Prepare
- Listen to understand
- Ask open-ended questions
- Ownership, responsibility, and accountability
- Say thank you
Avoiding conflict with peers, subordinates, or even your manager can lead to large rifts in the workplace overtime. These ignored conversations can eventually lead to lower employee engagement and productivity. When employees don’t have the tools they need to have courageous conversations (and receive feedback well) it negatively impacts your overall business culture.
Yes! Both the in person and virtual formats include lots of engagement, activities, and group discussions from all participants. This training also provides time for participants to start practicing what they are learning with their peers.
Since 1983 our parent company, Express Employment Professionals, has been connecting the workforce to the workplace. We’ve been on the frontlines hearing the challenges employers are facing, understanding the mindset of the workforce, and studying the demographic trends facing our future.
Frontline Training Solutions was born out of the desire to do more for the companies we serve. We’ve harnessed the workforce knowledge gathered through employing millions of people and serving thousands for companies so that we can provide the solutions you need to train, develop, and retain your workforce. This means all our training programs take a practical real-world approach to help be a catalyst for change and improvement back at your organization.
Courageous conversations in the workplace are open, honest discussions where employees and leaders address difficult topics with respect and clarity. They focus on balancing candor with care, so feedback is direct but still supportive. These conversations build trust, strengthen relationships, and create a healthier, more productive work environment.
Other Resources to Consider
Podcast
How do I navigate a difficult conversation in the workplace?
In this episode we are joined by Lorraine Medici, Director of Training and Development at Frontline Training Solutions, and we continue a conversation from a previous webinar on Navigating Difficult Conversations, with a deeper dive into tools you can use in your workplace feedback discussions.
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