How to Handle Difficult Conversations

Difficult conversations are a part of our professional careers, so to be successful in them we must learn, practice and hone the skills necessary for this type of work. As with many aspects of life, the more you practice the more confident you will be in handling difficult conversations. In this workshop participants will learn how to actively bring their concerns to the table with the goal of working toward the best win-win scenario for everyone. Time will be spent practicing how to communicate with others in a respectful and professional manner. We will review how to handle issues such as: -Requesting meeting times with your advisor/PI -Requesting professional development for yourself -Negotiating with a peer or colleague regarding work to be completed on a collaborative project Participants will leave the workshop with an actionable plan to address a current difficult conversation. The workshop is facilitated by Dr. Shelly Hoover-Plonk, Assistant Director of High Impact Educational Experiences (HIEE) at NC State University. Dr. Hoover-Plonk is willing to set up 1:1 meetings with participants to further discuss upcoming difficult conversations in the weeks following the workshop. To facilitate small-group discussion, the workshop size is limited to 25 participants. Because space is limited, please do not register unless you are sure you can attend.