Courageous Conversations Workbook & Audio

A Courageous Conversation takes place anytime you decide to speak up in a situation in order to achieve a better result. There are opportunities every day, in every relationship, for a Courageous Conversation to move things forward in a constructive way – if you have the skills to effectively engage with the situation.

Courageous Conversations cut through to the essence of issues. They inherently involve and element of risk. The risk is typically rejection or a defensive reaction, which can have very significant implications. The challenge of Courageous Conversations is to address the topics of VALUE, COURAGE and FEAR and the elegant skills of dialogue.

Zenger and Folkman’s research shows that character is a crucial pillar of leadership. To demonstrate our character and our authenticity as leaders, an essential element is engaging in Courageous Conversations.

Situations where Courageous Conversations are very effective:

·       Breaking through “groupthink”, when encountering resistance

·       Facing individuals or groups with strong vested interests

·       Engaging closed,defensive or prickly people

·       Admitting an error or shortcoming – being accountable

·       Holding other people to account

·       Intimidating situations where there is a power imbalance

·       Fostering improved performance in others