COMM050 - Difficult Conversations
Course Description
This course has undergone revisions as of Fall 2024 and will now be offered as COMM052 - Mastering Challenging Conversations. Students who have completed certificate requirements for COMM050 - Difficult Conversations will not receive credit for both courses as they are equivalent.
In this course, you'll confront difficult conversations that can feel daunting, whether you're dealing with a co-worker, customer, or friend. We'll dive deep into the layers beneath each interaction, offering guidance on navigating challenging exchanges effectively. Enhance your communication skills and reduce conflict in this course that provides invaluable strategies to transform tense conversations into productive ones.
Course Outline
In this course, you will:
- Explore what makes certain conversations difficult
- Consider the sub-text that underlies all difficult conversations
- Examine the role feelings, identity, and intentions play in our challenging conversations
- Explore the “learning conversation” and how it makes a difference
- Examine strategies to successfully negotiate difficult conversations
Learner Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the underlying reasons why difficult conversations occur
- Recognize and navigate the subtext in challenging interactions
- Understand the role of emotions, identity, and intentions in difficult conversations
- Implement strategies to engage in productive "learning conversations"
- Develop negotiation skills to navigate difficult exchanges effectively