Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Engaging in Difficult Dialogues in the Workplace

Denver, CO | December 11, 2024 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm MT

Registrant Access Only

This training will not be available asynchronously.

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Engaging in Difficult Dialogues in the Workplace

Denver, CO | December 11, 2024 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm MT


Engaging in difficult conversations is a defining leadership skill – gain confidence for times when it matters most.

Event Information

Difficult conversations often trigger defensiveness and discomfort—even for seasoned faculty and staff. Without reflection on how personal feelings shape our actions, it’s easy to fumble.

In this one-day intensive workshop, you’ll confront that discomfort through reflection and explore how favoritism can surface. You’ll discover how fairness strengthens relationships, morale, and trust. With a workbook of activities, tools, and resources, you’ll move from simply understanding tough conversations to navigating them with confidence.


Specifically, you’ll unpack four key concepts and how they come into play during conversations around topics that are deeply personal: 

  • Identifying Favoritism  
  • Understanding Personal Perspectives 
  • Managing Emotions 
  • Focusing on Fairness 

Who should attend?

Whether you are a faculty member, frontline staff, or campus leader, this conference will help you to move beyond a baseline readiness to effectively engage in difficult conversations. Attend with your team to develop a shared sense of how to address difficult topics productively. Register 3 or more people and get a team discount! Discount will be automatically applied at check out.

 

Agenda

Additional details will be forthcoming, but for planning purposes we are able to provide the following information at this time: 

Start & end times: 

Day 1: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. local time (approximate)

Meals included in registration price: 

  • Day 1: Breakfast and lunch 

Sessions include:  

  • Defining a Difficult Conversation
  • Conflict Resolution: It’s What You Said AND How You Said It 
  • Examining Power Dynamics Through a Lens of Five Paths 

 

Location

Academic Impressions Office
5299 DTC Blvd, Suite 1400 
Greenwood Village, CO 80111  

Recommended Hotels: 

Hyatt Place Denver Tech Center – 3-star hotel 
8300 E Crescent Pkwy, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 
303-804-0700 
Distance from office: 0.5 miles if driving, 0.3 miles if walking  

A room rate of $114/night is available if you book your room using this link.  

This reduced rate and room availability are subject to general hotel availability and not guaranteed. So, we recommend booking as soon as possible!  

 

Denver Marriott Tech Center – 4-star hotel
4900 S Syracuse St, Denver, CO 80237
303-779-1100
Distance from office: 0.9-1.2 miles, depending on route 

A 10% discount is available if you book your room using this link.  

This discount is subject to general hotel availability and not guaranteed. So, we recommend booking as soon as possible! 

Reviews

“I gained so many tools that I will be able to start using right away at my university. This is a very efficient and engaging way to think deeply about how favoritism and bias are present in all our work relationships.”
 
“Great discussion, the scenarios were really helpful for solidifying the concepts. I liked that the same scenario was used throughout so that I didn’t need to learn about new characters. I really like the workbook. I will be able to reflect upon the material at a later time. The dialogue vs debate section was especially helpful.”
 
“Sandra did a wonderful job of leading the group through the main concepts and key takeaways in recognizing and reflecting on bias and favoritism. Sandra engaged with the comments and chat in a very meaningful way that acknowledged others’ ideas and experiences while also not allowing any one thread deter the progress of the seminar.”