Holding Difficult Conversations for Supervisors: An essential skill in a supervisor role

 Leading the way in Mental Health Training and Education

Holding Difficult Conversations for Supervisors: An essential skill in a supervisor role
July 18, 2019
Facilitator: Marion Langford, M.Ed.
This training is suitable for: New supervisors or those who hope to take over a supervisory position in the future. It is also suitable for experienced supervisors who would like to fine-tune their supervisory abilities.

This workshop will offer supervisor insight, tools and strategies for holding difficult conversations through the use of appreciative listening, identifying conflict patterns, understanding the observational process and how to create and communicate boundaries/limits. Time will be provided to discuss any current dilemmas and develop an approach for when participants return to work.

Description: Supervisors play a dual role, i.e. ensuring good quality work is being delivered by individual performers, but also that the team is working optimally to support one another. As part of this role, the ability to hold difficult conversations that invites people to communicate clearly the expectations and boundaries is an essential skill. This workshop will offer insight, tools and strategies in holding difficult conversations so that you will learn:

• To understand your own patterns with conflict and how to use this knowledge to work will with others
• Apply appreciative listening
• Practice the six questions that will facilitate clarity about the issue(s)
• Offer observations that avoid being judgmental or defensive
• Communicate boundaries and limits
• Discuss any current dilemmas and develop an approach for when you return to work

This is Learning Module 3 of the Certificate for New Supervisors. This module may be taken separately from the certificate program as a stand-alone workshop.

Marion Langford, M.Ed.

Marion is an experienced and certified coach, facilitator, and organizational change specialist with over 25 years experience. Marion specializes in the practical how-to of difficult and transformational conversational methods and questions. Her focus is on supporting leaders in the creation of positive change in their relationships with staff, community partners, and funders, while operating from a deeply empathic set of values, skills, and premises. She specializes in innovative leadership development, team and group dynamics, workplace communications, mind/body integration, and career transitions and decisions.