We start with diving into reasons certain conversations fail. Why we might fear them, why they might stay superficial, and why we aren’t able to get the outcomes that seem so obvious and within reach. You will develop greater awareness of what needs to change for you to have more effective conversations.

Powerful conversations start with looking inward, exploring your needs, choices and fears, and their impact on your conversations and their outcomes. As a result, you develop the ability to push for the right outcomes despite your internal blockers.

Meeting half-way is almost always not the best outcome. You will look past stated positions to identify underlying interests, and create possibilities that are compatible with shared interests of both parties.

Identifying a problem clearly and crisply is important to avoid creating a defensive or adversarial atmosphere. You will create alternative ways to frame the problem and your position that are direct, trust-building, and productive.

Using the right language makes a big difference in high-stakes conversations. You will develop vocabulary that is clear, inspiring, and solution-oriented to tear down walls and make progress.

Listening is a key part of communicating, and the ability to listen to what hasn't been uttered can be a superpower. You will practice being truly present and anticipating the other person’s needs, feelings and reactions.

Important conversations involve emotions, whether we acknowledge it or not. To be most effective, it’s important to identify and steer your emotions rather than suppressing them, or worse, them steering you. In this module, you’ll practice exactly that.

The conversation isn’t over once you click “End Meeting” or walk out of the room. You will develop the tools you need to use after the conversation to ensure you get the results you expect.