Hello dear HEN reader!

Hope you are feeling safe, warm and loved.

Over these last weeks, I’ve dived deep into trying to understand what difficult conversations mean in this new context we all find ourselves in. My OnConflictPodcast co-host, Gordon White, and I have been discussing this over the weeks and what resulted was our first joint webinar on Difficult Conversations: Connection in the Time of Corona, which we held last Friday March 27. 

We are pleased to say over 100 people registered for the webinar, and that we’d like to offer you the replay link. We posted that for you here.

It became clear to me by the end of the webinar, that this is the time of amplification - we need these skills, mindsets, values now more than ever.  When so many of us are in change fatigue, fear of the unknown, dealing with sickness and even death in some cases, these are uncommon times. We need each other now more than ever.

Here are a few comments from attendees:

• "I really appreciate your generous and respectful style of communication. Like water to thirst. It is not a style that I experience every day." … Annabelle Tully-Barr
• "I just love your creativity, initiative and passion about pursuing this way of serving our communities." … Kari Boyle, Coordinator, BC Family Justice Innovation Lab

At the end of our webinar, Gordon and I presented a timely opportunity to join us and take this content deeper:  How to Have Difficult Conversations Virtual Course.

We designed a 90 minute three-part series hosted on Zoom. In the course, participants will learn how to:

• Gain courage and confidence to get the conversation started;
• Overcome the challenge and risk of hurting someone;
• Get the other person to the table if they're resisting;
• Uncover your motivation, energy and power to keep going;
• Manage your emotions so you can keep talking;
• Get your voice and thoughts heard; and
• Reflect upon the experience of having a difficult conversation.

We will take participants step-by-step through the skills needed to have the difficult conversations that, if avoided, easily turn into destructive ones or build up until they end up in a crunch no one wants.  Taking action is the most impactful thing you can do, especially in these times when dialogue really matters!

In this changing COVID-19 climate, we all have to be more careful how we communicate when in-person interaction is reduced.  Our course is well suited to individuals, employees and leaders. It also offers a way for a whole team to have a common, collaborative practice and language to deal with communication challenges while they are still small.
Join us for these three 90 minute sessions.

Classes run April 3, 6, 8 beginning at noon P.D.T.

This interactive course includes materials and exercises and you will have the opportunity to practice and ask questions.

Each session will be recorded for watching at your leisure if you can't join us in person (or want to re-watch).

If you feel a draw towards this at all, I really want to encourage you to jump in with both feet.  Gordon and I have been realizing how easy it is in this tumultuous time to step on each other’s toes, get snappy, feel frustrated. All these are symptoms of our collective stress in the unknown.  We need to be more mindful than ever about how we conduct our relationships.

Click here to register.

PLEASE NOTE:  This opportunity closes Thursday, April 2 at 11:59pm. Class starts Friday April 3 at noon! So register now if you'd like to guarantee your spot!