LD901 - Courageous Conversations in Organizations
Course Description
Overview
Courageous Conversations in Organizations is designed for leaders across schools, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations. A courageous conversation is a discussion that may feel difficult or uncomfortable but is often necessary to move an organization forward.
Over four weeks, participants build skillsets to lead essential, effective equity conversations that support a positive and productive work environment for all employees.
Who This Is For
- School and district leaders
- Business and department leaders
- Nonprofit and community leaders
- HR, people managers, and team leads
What You’ll Leave With
- Frameworks for leading productive equity conversations
- Strategies to reduce defensiveness and navigate resistance
- Tools to connect across differences and strengthen cohesion
- Shared language to increase belonging and performance
Series Structure
4-week cohort-based professional development series
Leaders and people managers across sectors
Available for organizations and open enrollment
Course Content Outline
Week I: Developing Tools for Effective Equity Conversations
Equity conversations can be either divisive or productive. This session explains the danger of divisive equity conversations and provides a framework for leading productive dialogues. Participants will also establish a non-negotiable ethos that creates the foundation for courageous conversations that support systemic change.
Week II: The Complexity of Change — SCARF Threats
Change—especially change that addresses equity—can create anxiety and trigger resistance. This session applies David Rock’s SCARF threats to help leaders anticipate and navigate those responses. Participants will identify likely threats surfaced by equity conversations and develop strategies that support optimal work environments for all employees.
Week III: Connecting Across Differences
Everyone brings different values, beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. This week focuses on strategies to connect across difference in ways that increase trust, learning, and collaboration—supporting a more welcoming work environment for all employees.
Week IV: Mattering Matters — Engaging All Employees
Mattering Matters is a framework that serves as a road map to ensure employees are engaged and able to contribute to organizational success. Participants will build shared language by explicitly discussing diverse thought and mattering, and learn how to move their organization along a continuum toward optimal engagement and productivity.