OMSSA is pleased to offer workshops that assist with making difficult conversations easier, and that enhance your communication and listening skills.
Workshop 1: Making Difficult Conversations Easier
The basic building block of all communication is the conversation. What, when, how and why we hold a conversation can have a profound impact on achieving our desired results.
But when the stakes are high, emotions run strong, or opinions conflict, we label these conversations as difficult. Whether we face difficult conversations with coworkers, clients, friends or family, invariably the same fear and apprehension comes over us the fear of failure or making matters worse.
During this workshop, we will explore the construct, traps and pitfalls of difficult conversations, why they may go wrong and how to approach, plan and execute them in a more successful manner, using practical tips, tools and real-world examples.
By the conclusion, fear and apprehension of that difficult conversation will transform into confidence and encouragement.
Learning Objectives
Workshop 2: Improve Your Listening with the 4-Step Empathy Loop
One secret about making difficult conversations easier is being able to gain insight into the perceptions, perspective and interests of the other person. To do this it is essential to ask good questions and be an effective listener.
During the foundational workshop Making Difficult Conversations Easier participants were introduced to a simple yet effective 4-step Empathy Loop that can make anyone an expert listener. Armed with this specific skill one can more effectively build better human connections and collaborative relationships.
While learning about the skill is one thing. Having the opportunity to practice it and gain expert feedback is something more.
Learning Objectives
Workshop 3: Resolving Difficult Conversations
During the foundational workshop, we examined what makes conversations difficult, why they occur and how to manage them. We outlined and practiced the key skills of de-escalating angry emotions, empathetic listening and asking good questions to unpack and focus on interests instead of positions. In addition, we explored the proper sequencing of the conversation along with how best to be both empathetic and assertive.
Now, in this advanced workshop, we will pick up where we left off and discover:
Learning Objectives
Workshop Dates and Registration
All sessions in Eastern Standard Time.
This series is a bundle that includes the following three workshops: Making Difficult Conversations Easier, Improve Your Listening with the 4-Step Empathy Loop, and Resolving Difficult Conversations. Please ensure you are able to attend all three workshops when registering for a session.
If you wish to register for just one course in the series, please reach out to education@omssa.com. Please note that Making Difficult Conversations Easier is a mandatory prerequisite for the 4-Step Empathy Loop, and Resolving Difficult Conversations.
Difficult Conversations Series 1: February 12 - 13, March 1, & March 14 - 15, 2024
Series Registration Cut Off: Thursday, February 8
Making Difficult Conversations Easier
Part 1: Monday, February 12 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part 2: Tuesday, February 13 | 10:00 – 12:00
Improve Your Listening with the 4-Step Empathy Loop
Friday, March 1 | 10:00 – 12:00
Resolving Difficult Conversations
Part 1: Thursday, March 14 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part 2: Friday, March 15 | 10:00 – 12:00
Registration coming soon.
Difficult Conversations Series 2: May 23 - 24, June 5, & June 19 - 20, 2024
Series Registration Cut Off: Tuesday, May 21
Making Difficult Conversations Easier
Part 1: Thursday, May 23 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part 2: Friday, May 24 | 10:00 – 12:00
Improve Your Listening with the 4-Step Empathy Loop
Wednesday, June 5 | 10:00 – 12:00
Resolving Difficult Conversations
Part 1: Wednesday, June 19 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part 2: Thursday, June 20 | 10:00 – 12:00
Registration coming soon.
Difficult Conversations Series 3: October 8 - 9, October 22, & November 5 - 6, 2024
Series Registration Cut Off: Friday, October 4
Making Difficult Conversations Easier
Part 1: Tuesday, October 8 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part 2: Wednesday, October 9 | 10:00 – 12:00
Improve Your Listening with the 4-Step Empathy Loop
Tuesday, October 22 | 10:00 – 12:00
Resolving Difficult Conversations
Part 1: Tuesday, November 5 | 10:00 – 12:00
Part 2: Wednesday, November 6 | 10:00 – 12:00
Registration coming soon.
Pricing
Members: $270 + HST
Non-Members: $351 + HST
Non-Member Education Level 1 & 2: $281 + HST
Technical Requirements
OMSSA will be hosting this virtual workshop using Zoom, an online, interactive platform that you can join straight from your web browser, or by downloading 'Zoom Client for Meetings' on your computer or tablet.
Participants will be expected to join the workshop via both video and audio. Participants should therefore have access to a desktop computer, laptop computer or tablet with:
a webcam or built-in camera
a built-in microphone or a headphone jack where you can plug in a headset or earphones
We strongly recommend that participants use a headset or earphones with a built-in microphone in order to limit background noise.
System requirements: Click here for more detailed information on system requirements from Zoom.
Who Should Attend?
All three workshop are well-suited for any human services professional. In order to attend the series of workshops, participants must complete all three workshops in this order: Making Difficult Conversations Easier, Improve Your Listening Skills with the 4-Step Empathy Loop, and finally, Resolving Difficult Conversations.
Format and Duration
- Making Difficult Conversations Easier
- Two, two-hour online workshops over two back-to-back days
- Improve Your Listening Skills with the 4 Step Empathy Loop
- One, two-hour online workshop
- Resolving Difficult Conversations
- Two, two-hour workshops over two back-to-back days
Sharad Kerur has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and Master of Industrial Relations from Queen's University, with a focus on negotiation theory and alternative dispute resolution methods.
For over 30 years, Sharad held senior level positions in the union and association sectors. His most recent position was Executive Director of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), Canada's largest non-profit housing association. As a result, he has a strong grasp on the business of non-profit organizations and associations, and real-world experience in negotiation and mediation.
Sharad is Harvard-trained, having obtained a Certificate in Mediating Disputes and a Certificate in Negotiating Difficult Conversations from the Harvard Negotiation Institute (Harvard Law School) and also holds a Certificate in Dispute Resolution and an Advanced Certificate in Dispute Resolution, both from the York University in Toronto.
Amongst his credentials, Sharad is:
Sharad also leads his own consultancy firm known as Resolution Pathways, which assists people and organizations to transform conflicts into collaboration. With his knowledge, expertise, and experience, he currently provides services in: