Encore: Active Practice for Difficult Conversations
Program Summary
Workplace conversations on topics we find difficult to discuss can make us anxious and rushed, and often, we don’t say the things we would like to say. From delivering constructive feedback, to asking teammates for more support, negotiating a pay increase or time off, tackling difficult conversations isn't easy; they call them "difficult" for a reason! That’s exactly why you need to know the steps of succeeding in difficult conversations: preparing for and delivering your ABC Messages.
In this workshop, you’ll learn a framework that will help make your difficult conversations effective and to the point. From choosing appropriate words to presenting what you need to say in a way that will get heard, the ABCs give you practical, easy to apply language that can be suitable in many scenarios. This interactive workshop reveals the fundamentals of putting together messages that get results. It’s time to roll up your sleeves so you can prepare for and practice having those difficult conversations you avoid.
What You Will Learn
- Analysis of workplace personal and political factors that may impact your conversation and when to get help
- The ABC Framework for preparing messages
- How preparation and practice can help you refine your message and build your confidence
- Tips to manage your reactions and responses
How You Will Learn
- Self-reflection
- Message drafting
- Small group practice sessions
- Receiving feedback from your peers
- Large group discussions
What is an Active Practice Workshop?
These sessions are designed to be active working sessions where you will be developing your conversation message, practicing it with colleagues, and receiving peer feedback. It’s an active session that requires your full participation and focus for the duration. We will be doing longer-format breakout rooms, and audio is needed for this session. Video is strongly desirable.
What Kind of Conversations Should I Bring?
We are encouraging members to bring a current conversation challenge, potential future challenge, or think of a conversation you have had in the past where you would like a “do-over.” These conversations should be up to mid-level workplace-related challenges or conversations that you find difficult, but perhaps others do not. More complex conversations or ones involving discrimination, harassment, triggering events, and trauma will not be in the scope of this session. You are instead encouraged to seek confidential guidance from AAPS.
If you have questions about the session, what topic you should bring, or have accessibility requirements, please let me know.
Audience
This session open to all AAPS members.
Participant Expectations for the Live Zoom Sessions
1. To attend the full session (we’ll be spending a lot of time in breakout rooms so late arrivals, early exits, and popping out part way through will negatively impact the small group experience.)
2. To participate using audio and video (we appreciate that there are sometimes technical issues, but please be in a space where you can at least use audio. If that doesn’t work for you, please sign up for the recorded version)
3. To actively participate in the breakout room conversations, group activities, and personal reflection exercises
4. Be open and engaged with the content of the session, even if it doesn’t immediately resonate with you. We encourage you to try things out
5. To be professional, kind, and courteous to fellow participants and practice patience, confidentiality, and inclusivity
About Your Facilitator
Diane A. Ross is a lawyer turned certified executive coach, professional leadership mentor, facilitator, and author. For over 15 years, Diane has been designing professional development programs for leaders, individual contributors, and young professionals. She is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach with extensive experience coaching individuals and organizations through strengths-based leadership development. Something clicked when she first did the CliftonStrengths® assessment, and she realized her strengths and purpose did not match her job as a litigation lawyer. She took a leap of faith in herself and her career and pivoted to coaching, teaching, and mentoring. Now she is lit up by helping others learn their strengths so they can also shine bright on the big stage called life.
About Your Host
AAPS is the labour relations organization that represents the Management and Professional Staff group to their employer UBC. AAPS is a separate organization from UBC, and your conversations with us are confidential. We offer members professional labour relations advice that is in your best interest as an employee. We encourage you to get to know AAPS and your Collective Agreement and let us know if you have any questions or if we can help. The AAPS Professional Development Program is designed and hosted by AAPS for our members. We offer a variety of topics on management, leadership, interpersonal skills, workplace skills, as well as personal and social development. The AAPS PD Program is designed in consultation with the AAPS Board of Directors and staff. Member Services Officer Sarah Muff is the program’s architect and manager. She staffs the PD events. If you have ideas or feedback, please email Sarah at sarah.muff@ubc.ca.
Registration Information
The AAPS Professional Development program is designed for and offered exclusively to AAPS members at no cost. AAPS members can register to attend one of the live Zoom sessions or access the recorded version. Before registering, please consider your schedule and your ability to actively participate. The live Zoom sessions require you to use audio, and video is strongly encouraged as well.
If you have accessibility requirements or questions, please email sarah.muff@ubc.ca. Zoom auto-captions are always enabled for our sessions. If you need a live transcriber, interpretation, or other specific audio or visual supports, please let us know in advance.
- Encore Presentation: Active Practice for Difficult Conversations, Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 1pm-3pm
- Reshare of October Recorded version: available until March 31, 2025