UW Medicine | Organization Development and Training

Crucial Conversations

Please note changes: Currently, there are no scheduled dates for this class/program while OD&T works to align our offerings with organizational priorities, including Mission Forward. If you have any questions or need resources, please contact odtreg@uw.edu.

Crucial Conversations is a nationally-renowned course based on the bestselling book that focuses on effective communication skills. It is designed to enhance your ability to navigate difficult dialogues that are high stakes and involve opposing opinions and strong emotions. The class teaches powerful skills that will help you to step into disagreement and turn it into constructive dialogue for improved relationships and results.

You will learn to:

Make even the riskiest topics safe for discussion. When people feel psychologically safe, they share meaningful input on important matters.
Talk to anyone about almost anything. Learn how to be persuasive, not abrasive, when stakes are high and opinions vary.
Turn disagreement into dialogue and conflict into collaboration.

Program overview

This is a 17-hour “blended learning” class consisting of two learning formats:

10 self-paced online on-demand lessons which are accessed individually.
3 facilitated interactive sessions with a large group (in a “live” Zoom format).

1: Live Session #1/Kickoff –facilitated group session (1.5 hours)

Overview of class, orientation to on-demand material, and discussion of individual styles when under stress.

2: Online, on-demand lessons (5 hours)

Identify problems contributing to poor results and broken relationships, and conversations to address those problems.
Consider others’ perspectives and assume good intent.
Keep composure when feeling angry, defensive, or intimidated.
Identify stories you might be telling yourself to justify behavior.
Share strong opinions without shutting down contrary viewpoints.

3: Live Session #2– facilitated group session (3 hours)

Clarify concepts, reinforce & solidify learning, review material, and practice together.

4: Online, on-demand lessons (5 hours)

Recognize when you’re at cross-purposes and take steps to rebuild safety and return to dialogue.
Find and cultivate mutual purpose with those who hold opposing viewpoints.
Turn each crucial conversation into a course of action that leads to results.

5: Live Session #3– facilitated group session (3 hours)

Clarify concepts, reinforce & solidify learning, review material, and practice together.

To receive full credit in the Learning Hub (learning management system) for the class, you must complete all 10 online lessons by the final session and attend all 3 facilitated sessions.

Who should attend?

Employees at all levels who would like to improve their ability to effectively navigate challenging conversations.

Registration process

The quality of participants’ experience depends on timely preparation and completion of the on-demand lessons. In addition, UW Medicine is investing more than $250 per individual license for the online class material. To ensure a quality learning experience for all participants and careful stewardship of UW Medicine resources, registering for the class requires the following commitments, which you will be asked to commit to on the Learning Hub learning management system. They are:

Secure your supervisor’s/manager’s support to participate in the class so that your time is protected and you can fully attend the program.
Complete the pre-work before the Kickoff Session and prepare for the facilitated sessions by completing the on-demand lessons on time.
Complete the entire course, including 10 on-demand learning lessons (10 hours) and three live facilitated sessions (7 hours).
Take the knowledge, tools, and skills you learn in the class back to your team.

After committing to the above agreements, continue completing your registration in the Learning Hub learning management system once registration is open.

Upcoming Classes

This is a 17-hour, multi-session class. In addition to completing all 10 on-demand lessons, attendance is required at all three live facilitated zoom sessions.