Strategic Conversations

Course Description

(Formerly titled: Impactful Communication and Conflict Resolution)

Strategic Conversations is for faculty and staff who would want to develop their ability to have difficult conversations with colleagues, supervisors, direct reports, students, clients or in personal relationships. You will explore proven practices that promote positive, respectful relationships and head off the need for potentially difficult, but strategic conversations. You will explore why strategic conversations at times feel difficult, examine levels of conflict, and will engage with a strategic conversation model. You will examine your own conflict style using the Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and will explore how to communicate more effectively. Using the conversation process and tools, you will plan and practice a strategic conversation you need to have but may have been avoiding. Finally, you will set some personal goals around the behaviours you want to develop, those you want to continue to grow, and those you want to leave behind.

Course Delivery

Facilitator: Wendy Wilton

Course dates
Date Location
June 6, 2024 Enterprise Square, Downtown Edmonton
February 25, 2025 Enterprise Square, Downtown Edmonton

Click on the course date to register.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explore key concepts involved in difficult conversations.
  • Use templates to prepare for planning and execution of difficult conversations.
  • Reflect on personal conflict preferences using Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument.
  • Plan and practice strategic conversation skills.
  • Produce a plan for areas of focus around strategic conversations.

If you have already attended Impactful Conversations and Conflict Resolution, please do not register in this course as the content has not changed.

Workshops that address the curriculum are offered and added throughout the year. Please visit the U of A Events hub to find available courses. If you are interested in offering a workshop to your team that currently has no availability, please contact org.learning@ualberta.ca to discuss options.