Honest Conversations

Honest conversations

Few of us are naturals when it comes to having honest conversations, especially around giving and receiving feedback.

We struggle to find a path between being too direct and confrontational, as against softening our message so much that it gets lost in an emotional fog.

We need to structure information in a non-emotive way, giving clear feedback and delivering messages with empathy and compassion. We need a toolkit we can use on a day-to-day basis to build an honest, open working culture with those who report to us – and, indeed, with those to whom we report. This very popular programme is the answer.

Workshop outline

(Full-day version, 9.30 – 5.00)

1. What’s a difficult conversation? What’s an honest conversation? And what’s the difference?

2. The role emotions play

What neuroscience tells us about how our emotions work
How certain situations can prompt strong reactions
The NLP model of communication and how our brains will delete, distort and generalise information based on our own unique map of the world
The belief cycle
Techniques for identifying your emotions and managing them

3. Understanding your purpose

4. Giving and receiving feedback

The benefits of giving and receiving feedback
How emotions play a role in feedback
How to structure feedback using the See/Saw Model
How giving positive feedback can be just as difficult for some people
How to manage your emotions and accept feedback with grace
Keeping focused on the positives

5. Raising issues

6. Empathy and understanding others’ perspectives

7. Making sure you get it right

8. Actions and next steps

‘The training course is a fantastic way of gaining more knowledge and brings confidence when putting the new skills to practice.’

‘This workshop reminded me how to focus on having a productive honest conversation in a situation that may be uncomfortable for one or both of us.’

‘Really practical tips, covering the full range of what makes a conversation difficult, from where to meet, through emotions to consider, to what to say.’

‘Really insightful, good approaches, great collaboration with the participants for Q&A.’

‘I thought it was brilliant! Normally hate doing role plays but found this one really useful and exactly what I needed. Loved to receive the feedback from the actors and also other colleagues.’

‘Great! Scott’s wealth of experience and personal credibility shone through.’