Communication

Classes

Navigating Difficult Conversations

Many times, minor conflicts evolve into major problems or the breakdown of interpersonal relationships because we aren't confident in our ability to address the situation. This two-hour course teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or risky topics at all levels of the organization. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), participants will begin to surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions, and then act on their decisions with unity and commitment.

Prerequisites

None

At the end of this class, participants will be able to:

  • Identify difficult conversations that they typically avoid and why
  • Describe strategies for establishing mutual purpose and mutual respect to make holding difficult conversations safe
  • Discuss how to de-escalate emotions and focus on the issue, not the person

The Science of Convincing

Every day we try to convince people of something – patients, peers, projects, even our kids. The Science of Convincing is a two-part experiential workshop where you will learn how our biology and systems impact communication along with the insights, tools, and techniques you can use to reduce stress and strife while reaching an agreement. Rob Hammond, director of the Center for Marketing and Sales Innovation in the USF Muma College of Business, will be your guide on this foundational life skills journey.

Prerequisites

None

  • Describe the process of communication and how situational factors impact effective communication.
  • Identify the role of individual filters and bias in developing memories and beliefs.
  • Explain the alignment between the buyer’s journey, decision making, and decision urgency.
  • Describe the relationship between fairness negotiated outcomes.
  • Apply the selected theoretical concepts to population decision-making (adoption).