Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue

  Course Description

Consider these questions:

  • Have you ever wanted to give a coworker sensitive feedback but decided not to for fear the conversation would not go well? 
  • Does it sometimes feel unsafe to share your honest viewpoint because there is a chance that doing so could lead to backlash? 
  • Do you ever keep silent about a matter, hoping someone else shares your concern and will speak up? 
  • Have you ever been lectured or verbally attacked and wished you could respond without making matters worse?

If so, you, your team, or your department need the Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue training.

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or risky topics. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), you will surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions, and then act on your decisions with unity and commitment. 

The CU Boulder Department of Human Resources has teamed up with  to offer this important course to CU Boulder employees. Based on the national best-selling book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when the Stakes are High, the course teaches nine powerful skillsets grounded in decades of social science research. The course helps learners develop these vital skills through instruction, application, practice, group discussion, and self-reflection—not just theory – for lasting improvement. Learners will walk away with the ability to speak persuasively, not abrasively; foster teamwork and better decision making; build acceptance rather than resistance, and resolve individual and group disagreements. 

What is a Crucial Conversation?

A Crucial Conversation is a discussion between two or more people where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. When conversations turn crucial, people tend to follow one of two ineffective paths: they either speak directly and abrasively to get the results they want but harm relationships, or they remain silent with the hope of preserving relationships only to sacrifice results.

   Learning Outcomes

  • Identify problems contributing to poor results and broken relationships.  
  • Keep composure when feeling angry, defensive, or intimidated. Spot the warning signs that indicate safety and dialogue are at risk. 
  • Identify victim, villain, and helpless stories you might be telling yourself to justify behavior.  
  • Recognize when you are at cross-purpose and take steps to rebuild safety and return to dialogue. 
  • Find and cultivate mutual purpose with those who hold opposing viewpoints.  
  • Turn each Crucial Conversation into a course of action that leads to results. 

   Who should attend

Crucial Conversations training is appropriate for employees at all levels of the organization. Supervisors, managers, and executive leaders will find the course to be particularly relevant to their work.

  Cost

$272
*If you were to take this course directly from Crucial Learning, the cost would be $1,795. Because CU Boulder has certified trainers to deliver the course, we are able to offer it to CU Boulder employees for $272.

  Upcoming Sessions

  • In Person: October 22nd, 24th, 29th, and 31st, 2024, from 9am - 1pm each day, Administrative & Research Center (East Campus) 346
  • Virtual: December 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, and 11th, 2024, from 1pm - 4:30pm each day, Zoom
  • Virtual: March 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, and 19th, 2025, from 9am - 12:30pm each day, Zoom
  • In Person: May 6th, 8th, 13th, and 15th, 2025, from 9am - 1pm each day, Administrative & Research Center (East Campus) 346

  Instructor(s)

Kristen Wanderlich, Senior Training and Development Specialist, Organization and Employee Development, Department of Human Resources

Ginny Taylor, Senior Training and Development Specialist, Organization and Employee Development, Department of Human Resources