How to Have Difficult Conversations
How to Have Difficult Conversations
Series Overview
How to Have Difficult Conversations is a dialogue series designed to help students, faculty, and staff develop the confidence and skills to engage in meaningful conversations around challenging topics.
This series focuses on building conflict transformation skills that help turn difficult conversations into opportunities for growth, connection, and understanding. By the end of the series, participants will not only gain practical tips for navigating tough conversations but will also strengthen their ability to approach conflict as a catalyst for positive change.
How to Have Difficult Conversations
Part Two: Being Heard
Thursday, January 22, 2026 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: In person @ TCHT CENTER HLC – BLDG 4000 RM 4.2205 Truth, Community Healing & Transformation Center
How do you communicate in ways that increase the chance you are truly heard?
Part Two focuses on two foundational skills:
- Power: How power dynamics influence what people feel safe to say, how messages are interpreted, and how to shape conversations so everyone feels respected and able to participate.
- Positions & Interests: How to understand what people say they want versus what they actually need.
- “Why & I”: How to shift from accusatory “why” questions to statements that open space for dialogue rather than defensiveness.
Whether you’re hoping to stay calm in tough moments, say what you mean more clearly, or build stronger relationships, this session will help you feel more confident and connected in the conversations that matter most.
You don’t need to have attended Part One to join this session. Part Two is designed to stand on its own. This program is offered in partnership with the Truth, Community Healing & Transformation Center and the Office of Belonging and Purpose.
Register for Event
How to Have Difficult Conversations
Part One: Building the Basics
Tuesday, November 18
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: Hays 1214 and Virtual
Join us for a hybrid interactive session where you’ll gain practical tips for navigating tough conversations with confidence. Learn grounding techniques, reflective listening, and how to use conflict transformation skills to build understanding. You’ll have the chance to practice these tools in a supportive, facilitated dialogue with your peers.
Whether it’s preparing for tricky family interactions over the holiday break, navigating disagreements with friends, or finding ways to connect across differences, this session will help you turn difficult conversations into opportunities for connection.