Challenging Conversations: Workshop Takeaways

Challenging Conversations ➡ Shared Values
At a workshop on Friday with the office staff at International Community School (Singapore), we were talking about how to prepare for and have challenging conversations at work. The sticky notes show some of the participants' main takeaways.

We talked extensively about preparing yourself first, perhaps with a coach - processing your emotions and knowing what's important to you (your needs and values) in this conversation.

Participants practiced using neutral language to craft a priority communication for a range of scenarios. The scenarios were submitted anonymously before the workshop - they were highly relevant, real, school-based issues.

We talked about the impact of listening thoroughly and reflectively to build trust and how to find shared values in a challenging conversation.

We intuited how the other parties in the submitted scenarios might feel and planned how we might reach an agreement based on their values and our shared values.

⚡ Imagine how confident these participants might be going into those real scenarios now! They gained the invaluable confidence that comes from spending dedicated time processing and planning for their real challenging scenarios.

Thanks to the staff who engaged so thoughtfully in this workshop. Their authenticity and courage will lead to better workplace conversations.

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