Course Description

Courageous Conversations in Organizations

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.

Session Content Outline

Course Name Course Type Live Class (Hrs)
Developing Tools for Effective Equity Conversations Mandatory 2
The Complexity of Change — SCARF Threats Mandatory 2
Connecting Across Differences Mandatory 2
Mattering Matters — Engaging All Employees Mandatory 2

Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites. Participants will benefit from:

  • Experience working in teams or organizations
  • Willingness to engage in reflective discussion
  • Openness to learning and dialogue across differences

Series Structure 

Format - 4-week cohort-based professional development series

Audience - Leaders and people managers across sectors

Delivery - Available for organizations and open enrollment

group of coworkers

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

 

What to Expect

Format

Live, instructor-led cohort sessions emphasizing discussion, reflection, and applied practice.

Time Commitment

Approximately 8–10 total hours over four weeks, including live sessions and optional reflection activities.

 

Cost

1,400



Real-World Examples

Practice leading and participating in difficult workplace conversations that strengthen trust, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.

Learning Activities

Guided discussions, real-world scenarios, case examples, and practical frameworks participants can immediately apply in their organizations.

Career Focus

Leadership, people management, and organizational effectiveness skills applicable across sectors and roles.

Course Content Outline

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.

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.

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.

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.

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