Conversation is the Cornerstone of Life.

Whether in our professional or personal lives, how we engage and respond to conversation can make all the difference in the world as to whether we feel:

- a sense of purpose in who we are and what we do

- respected and understood as a person

- clear on what is being asked for or said

- able to influence and engage with other people in a way that feels personally and collectively authentic.

This programme focuses on the tools for building and maintaining effective conversations. Specifically it positions conversations as a series of “linguistic acts”, which we all use all the time and which, with increased understanding, can lead to more effective dialogue. These workshops, taken collectively, or in separate modules, include the following:

Working with Listening

Listening has been described as “a critical business process”, and a key component of effective dialogue. It is at the heart of what it means for us to be treated respectfully as human beings. Yet listening can also be a huge taken for granted activity in our everyday dialogue.

Using our Linguistic Toolkit

Conversation is a series of “linguistic acts” – reaching judgements through questioning and assessments, making declarations on what we need or what we’ll do, asserting what we see as facts, and making and receiving requests and offers for moving forward. We will explore our use of some of these linguistic acts – assessments, declarations and assertions – and how these can lead to breakthrough or breakdown conversations.

The Power of Promises

Cooperation is an essential feature of our daily lives. How we cooperate depends on how successfully we make or receive requests, offer appropriate support, and promise to deliver something we say we will do. We will focus on what makes effective requests, offers and promises and how they can break down through inappropriate assumptions about what is being offered or requested and whether the right people are involved.

Working with Emotions

Emotions - like the weather - are always present. We are never without emotions, yet how we understand and work with them can make or break effective conversations. We look at how we understand emotions- ours and others, and the role they play in having the right dialogue.

Who Attends

This workshop can be run in-house as well as on an open basis. It is intended for all leaders and managers who need to develop and refine skills of effective conversations at work. It is particularly appropriate in situations where groups of individuals, possibly from different organisations, need to work effectively together.

Dates and fees – on request