Semester Difficult Conversations: How To Discuss What Matters Most | Harvard University

Difficult Conversations are an important part of the human experience – at times uncomfortable or painful, however, it is possible to learn how to manage a difficult conversation in a constructive way. From business partners and relationships with customers, clients, supplier and colleagues, to dynamics with family, friends, and members of our communities, the difficult conversations we do and don’t have cause lasting impact on all of our relationships.

In this interactive online course, you will learn frameworks, skills, and principles for how to have your most difficult conversations with more confidence, compassion, purpose, and effectiveness.

The course will balance teaching concepts with numerous opportunities to apply what you have learned while participating in multiple simulations designed to enhance skills, demonstrate concepts, and provide opportunities to experiment.

Faculty: This course will be collaboratively led by Harvard Law School and Graduate School of Education faculty Sam Straus and Whitney Benns. In addition to theory and real-life examples introduced by course faculty from their practices, you will engage with ideas from the leading book on this subject: Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Doug Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen.

During the final course session, you will also have the special opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with the author of Difficult Conversations and Harvard Law School Professor of Practice Sheila Heen.