The Vital Conversations Workshop
“Making the impossible conversation possible”
Alec Grimsley, author of “Vital Conversations” will be your coach and mentor for this workshop. Alec has worked with over 30 major organisations helping their senior leaders and managers to tackle the biggest issues by developing their confidence and skill to address difficult yet vital conversations.
Have you experienced meetings where the real issues were blatantly obvious, but they weren’t discussed? Have you been part of a team where one person’s behaviour was clearly disruptive, yet the manager continued to turn a blind eye?
We build or destroy our teams, organisations and key relationships one vital conversation at a time, yet research shows that only 2 in 10 people have the confidence and skill to engage effectively in these difficult yet vital conversations. Being able to engage proactively in a challenging conversation is a defining quality of an exceptional leader.
Interestingly, although it would seem obvious that being able to handle difficult people, manage conflict, communicate bad news or challenge the direction of a “train wreck” project would be a required attribute of a leader, research indicates that less than 10% of leadership development programmes include difficult conversations training or coaching.
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Business case Learning outcomes Testimonials
Key Learning Outcomes from the Vital Conversations Workshop
Learn how to:
- Get clear on the vital conversations that will make the biggest difference in your team, projects and personal relationships
- When to raise an issue and when to let it go
- Manage your emotions and confidence throughout a conversation
- Convey what’s important to you without dancing around the issue
- Handle another person’s strong emotions
- Respectfully question to get beyond others’ defensive positions
- Going beyond hearing to listening for facts, feelings and needs
- Investigate both sides of the “story” to generate real understanding
- Maintain a safe and respectful dialogue for discussing tough topics
- Understand the mental shift from blame to contribution
- Develop a collaborative approach that generates more options
- Understand others’ “anger styles” and how to handle them
- Learn how to say no and still remain in rapport
- Gain clarity and joint commitment to mutually agreed next steps
- Use the “balcony” strategy to take an unbiased view of the situation
- Plan and successfully execute difficult yet vital conversations
- Handle an impromptu difficult conversation
Praise for the Vital Conversations Workshop
“Previously impossible conversations are now back on the table for discussion and although challenging are definitely possible.”
Manager of major housing charity
“A huge thank you Alec. The best course I’ve been on.”
NHS consultant surgeon
“This workshop should be a core component of any leadership development programme.”
Leadership development director, NHS
“I am convinced this will make me a better leader.”
Director, leading UK retailer
“I would recommend this workshop to anyone, extremely useful for both work and personal life.”
Senior manager, SAP
“Alec’s approach has had a huge impact. I’ve changed the way I approach all my interactions, both 1:1 and in groups.”
Bank manager, leading retail bank
“Very good from the first hour, dispelled my cynicism very quickly.”
Medical director, NHS
“I will now move forward and tackle some major issues I have been procrastinating on.”
Director, internet travel company
“Excellent, I wish I’d had this years ago!”
CEO of leading IT firm
“It was superb, delivered and facilitated very skilfully.”
Senior consultant from one of the big 4 consultancies