Attorneys often avoid difficult conversations in negotiations, and at work with our colleagues, clients, direct reports, and professional staff. Effective communication skills help us deal with conflict which ultimately leads to better outcomes both across the table in negotiation, but also in your own office. The stress and discomfort of difficult conversions can also impact attorney well being. This workshop will walk us through which conversations are particularly difficult for lawyers in the workplace and why. Afterward, participants will engage a framework tailored for lawyers that supports them in approaching high-stakes conversations without defensiveness. We'll also explore power imbalances in the workplace, and get a sense of how dynamics can impact our most critical conversations. Participants ultimately practice various tools and frameworks to help strategize how to navigate difficult conversations in the legal workplace. In this training, they will understand:

• Which conversations are the most difficult, and the impact of avoiding for lawyers 
• A framework for approaching difficult conversations to help plan and approach intentionally 
• How different communication styles may inform your approach
• Using active listening to support the dialogue, including overcoming barriers (e.g., defensiveness)
• Understand the errors we make before a difficult conversation
• Express issues with an assertive style for maximum impact
• Understand the role of difficult conversations in building relationships throughout your practice 

You will also have an opportunity to practice engaging in a difficult conversation in breakout rooms and gain insights from colleagues in attendance to help step into productive, effective, and courageous conversations as a lawyer.