A reflective, practical workshop for greater awareness, confidence and choice when conversations aren’t straightforward.

Some conversations are straightforward. Others aren’t.

They might involve a difference of opinion, something that needs to be said, a sensitive subject, competing priorities, or simply something we find difficult to talk about.

Sometimes we avoid them. Sometimes we go into them knowing exactly what we want to say, only to find ourselves becoming defensive, frustrated or stuck. And sometimes a perfectly ordinary conversation becomes much more difficult than we expected.

Better Conversations is a one-day workshop for people who want to develop greater awareness, confidence and capability in conversations that matter, especially the ones that aren’t straightforward.

Rather than offering a formula for having the ‘right’ conversation, the day explores some of the things that shape how we think, react and relate when we’re talking with other people.

How we interpret what someone says, what we assume about their intentions, what happens in us when we’re challenged, and the beliefs and expectations we bring to a conversation can all influence what happens next.

Becoming more aware of these influences gives us an opportunity to respond differently: in what we say, the questions we ask, how we listen, and how we engage when a conversation becomes difficult.

Through guided reflection, discussion and practical exercises, we’ll explore some of the beliefs and assumptions that shape our responses, consider different ways of approaching disagreement and difference, and practise asking questions that open up thinking rather than close it down.

During the day, you’ll have the opportunity to:

notice what happens in you when a conversation becomes challenging

recognise some of the beliefs, assumptions and interpretations influencing your response

distinguish between immediate reactions and more considered responses

explore how different perspectives can be held without needing to agree

practise asking questions that encourage curiosity and reflection

experience structured dialogue that supports reflection rather than debate

recognise moments where you have more choice in how you respond than it might first appear

The workshop can be applied to conversations in many different settings. You might be thinking about leadership or management, working relationships, clients or customers, confidence, responsibility, personal relationships, or simply conversations with people who see things differently.

There is no expectation to share personal material, and the aim isn’t to tell you what to think or to ‘correct’ your beliefs. The emphasis is on awareness, understanding and perspective, and on developing greater choice in how you respond.

If your work or life involves conversations that matter, particularly ones that aren’t always straightforward, Better Conversations offers an opportunity to look more closely at what happens within them and develop greater confidence in staying engaged when conversations become challenging.

Places are limited to keep the group small and allow space for meaningful discussion, reflection and practice.

Image credit: Volodymyr Hryshchenko (https://unsplash.com/@lunarts?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/photos/three-crumpled-yellow-papers-on-green-surface-surrounded-by-yellow-lined-papers-V5vqWC9gyEU?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText)

Description supplied by the event organiser.