Rhode Island Higher Education Training Consortium

Overview

Higher education professionals navigate difficult conversations constantly – delivering feedback, setting boundaries, saying no, addressing performance issues – yet most have little training in how to do this effectively, and default approaches often create tension and damaged relationships. This strengths-based workshop helps participants leverage their natural communication style as a foundation for handling these conversations strategically, using the CliftonStrengths framework to show how their strengths show up in conflict, where they may need to adapt, and how to practice conversations that maintain relationships while still addressing the issue.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• • Identify their natural communication style in difficult situations using the strengths framework
• • Understand how their strengths both help and challenge them in conflict
• • Navigate four types of difficult conversations common in higher ed:
• ◦ Delivering critical feedback
• ◦ Saying no / declining requests
• ◦ Setting boundaries
• ◦ Addressing performance issues
• • Apply these types to real higher ed relationships, including:
• ◦ Students not responding to intervention
• ◦ Underperforming faculty or colleagues
• ◦ Difficult parents
• ◦ Problematic peer dynamics
• • Practice difficult conversations with peer feedback
• • Plan an actual difficult conversation they're facing