Tools for Tough Conversations
Tools for Tough Conversations prepares people, organizations and communities for difficult discussions. Learn productive confrontation strategies that respect the facts and values driving today’s sticky issues and ethical dilemmas.
Our Workshop Series
This effective, experiential workshop series gives people and organizations the tools to get to constructive outcomes! Participants prepare for difficult conversations and practice generative conflict and dialogue skills through experiential activities and training materials.
The Tools for Tough Conversations Workshops Units Include:
- Preparing for and Responding to Stress and Conflict - Conflict awareness tools to address physiological reactions and habitual patterns of response.
- Listening to Learn - Applied conflict de-escalation skills and purposeful questions to help explore the context of differences and conflict.
- Exploring Biases and Identifying Opportunities for Inclusion - Cross-sector engagement frameworks to promote active participation and awareness of implicit and explicit biases that get in the way of meaningful conversations.
- Practicing Speaking Up When it Matters Most - Shift awareness to critical issues and practicing effective communication with assertive statements, even when you must take a stand, especially if it's unpopular.
- Finding Common Ground through Awareness and Recognition - Assess conditions for shared interests and look for opportunities to identify mutual gains and ways to bridge differences.
- Responding with Poise in Moments of Surprise - Develop leadership and community engagement strategies that respectfully build on differences.
Workshops Customized to Meet Your Goals
- Support your growth and practical application of these skills by learning with others.
- Virtual and in-person options are available.
- The program can be presented in various formats:
- Short-term engagements (2-hour or half-day sessions) to cover a specific topic.
- 2-day retreat to immerse participants in the full curriculum.
- A professional development series of two-hour workshops over a six-week or six-month period where we'll work together to select units from Tools 1-6 to create a custom program of learning that your team will benefit from the most.
Past Tools for Tough Conversations Programs
- Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (bi-annual, six-week series open enrollment), on-going starting in 2015
- International Association for Public Participation (full day workshop), 2018
- Skagit Valley College All-Staff Training (four workshop series), 2018
- Local League of Women Voters Chapter: Skagit County (six-week series), 2018
- Oregon Mediation Association Statewide Spring Training (full day workshop at four sites), 2018
- League of Women Voters California State Conference Training (two-hour session), 2016
- Western Washington University Talking About Race Dialogue Facilitators Training (four workshop series), 2016
- League of Women Voters of Washington State Convention Civility in our Democracy Training (two hours), 2013
- Association for Conflict Resolution Professional Association two-hour workshop for peer review, 2014
