The aim of this one-day workshop is to help participants to engage in more effective conversations.  It is aimed at staff with management responsibilities who want to engage in one-to-one conversations which explore difficult areas such as poor performance, inappropriate behaviour or conflict. 

The workshop will consider how to behave assertively in conversations where the aims, needs and feelings of both parties are valued and explored.  It will look at how to move from message delivery mode to a learning conversation.  An important key to having a learning conversation is to distinguish blame from contribution.  The three skills needed for this kind of dialogue are listening, inquiring and voicing. 

This workshop will be very participative, with plenty of opportunity to rehearse difficult conversations in small groups.  It is important that participants are prepared to bring along current issues that they are wrestling with, willing to explore these during the workshop.

Places are limited to a maximum of twelve. 

Course leader: Bob Thomson, Management Development Adviser, CAP

Session times: 9.00 am till 5.00 pm  

Date: Tuesday 1 May 2007

Venue: Seminar Room, Ground Floor, University House