Crucial Conversations

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alt="Collage of people of different ages and ethnicities having difficult conversations at home and in the workplace

Crucial Conversations: Turn Disagreement into Dialogue

Crucial conversations take place in every organization, every day. These are conversations with 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

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A smiling African-American woman talking to a man.

Whether they take place at work or home, with your supervisor or peers, crucial conversations can profoundly impact your career, happiness, and future. These conversations lead to strained relationships and poor results when mishandled or ignored.

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.

91%
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.

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 - U of A 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.

In-Person Course Options - U of A 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).

Can'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 person whose behaviors have negatively affected us. How can you mentally prepare to talk to this person in an open, clear way, and gets results?
  • Stop and Think
  • Be Specific
  • Understand Boundaries

 

Result: You confidently confront a challenging issue and change the situation/relationship with respect. 

Questions & Support 

Questions about Payment and Course Materials

Technical Difficulties

  • If you are having trouble within the payment portal and the user guide did not help, please visit help.cruciallearning.com to submit a support ticket.
  • If you are having trouble registering for course dates, please email crucial@arizona.edu.