Crucial Conversations:
Turn Disagreement into Dialogue
Crucial conversations take place in every organization, every day. These are conversations where there are high stakes, differences of opinions, and strong emotions. Conversations like:
- Talking to a coworker who behaves offensively
- Increasing team communication and productivity
- Helping a direct report to improve their performance
- Giving the boss feedback about their behavior
- Helping stakeholders understand compliance efforts
- Repairing strained relationships
Get the Skills to Speak Up When It Matters Most
Whether they take place at work or home, with your supervisor or peers, crucial conversations can have a profound impact on your career, your happiness, and your future. When handled badly or ignored, these conversations lead to strained relationships and poor results.
Crucial Conversations® is a course that teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or risky topics – at all levels of an organization. When you learn the 14 specific skills on how to speak and be heard, you will be able to:
- Prepare for high-impact situations.
- Make it safe to talk about almost anything.
- Be persuasive, not abrasive.
- Keep listening when others blow up or clam up.
Turn crucial conversations into the action and results you want.
After completing the Crucial Conversations program
3 out of 4
felt confident resolving disagreements between themselves, individuals, teams, or stakeholders.
felt confident resolving disagreements between themselves, individuals, teams, or stakeholders.
91%
felt prepared to have healthy and respectful discussions, even when tensions are high.
felt prepared to have healthy and respectful discussions, even when tensions are high.
92%
said they could create an environment where others feel comfortable expressing themselves.
said they could create an environment where others feel comfortable expressing themselves.
Participant Testimonial
"Since completing Crucial Conversations, I try to listen more with the intent to understand where the other person is coming from and what their needs are. When stuck in a conversation, I try to step away, reflect, and think about the best approach to tackle an issue to gain a mutual and positive outcome."
—UA Employee
Registration Process: Enroll Yourself or A Group
Want to take Crucial Conversations, but need to convince your supervisor? Download this editable email template and send it their way!
Course Cost: $318 per person
Eligibility: You must be a current University of Arizona employee to enroll in this course.
For group registration: Build shared language and acquire powerful tools for your team. To enroll four or more people, please email crucial@arizona.edu before registering.
Online Course Options - UA Employees Only
Time Commitment: Four separate three-hour sessions. You must be able to attend all four sessions within a cohort. Please read the entire Participation and Financial Policy for all details before registering.
Location: Zoom. The zoom link and a calendar invitation will be sent to you after payment is verified.
Class Time: All Zoom classes occur from 9 AM – 12 PM daily.
Register for an Online Crucial Conversation CourseIn-Person Course Options - UA Employees Only
Time Commitment: Two all-day sessions. You must be able to attend both days. Please read the entire Participation and Financial Policy for all details before registering.
Location: Tucson Main campus; location shared after registration is confirmed
Class Time: Classes take place from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily. There is a one-hour break for lunch (not provided).
Register for an In-Person Crucial Conversation CourseAdvanced Course Options
Crucial Conversations Advanced Skills Workshops
Have you completed the Crucial Conversations course but want to dive deeper? Join us for hour-long workshops once a quarter to explore new ways to utilize the skills learned in the original course.
See course topics and dates and register below.
Register for a WorkshopCrucial Conversations 1:1 Office Hours
Need to practice having a crucial conversation or discuss a specific situation? Sign up for a one-on-one consultation with a Crucial Conversations certified facilitator. These 25-minute office hour sessions are held through EDGE Learning.
Register for an Office Hour SessionCan't Wait for Your Course? Try it Now!
How to Address Your Concerns with a Difficult Coworker
We've all had at least one difficult co-worker or other person whose behaviors have negatively affected us. How can you mentally prepare to talk to this person in a way that's open, clear, and gets results?
- Stop and Think
- Be Specific
- Understand Boundaries
Result: You confront a challenging issue with confidence and change the situation/relationship with respect.