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Courageous Conversations in Organizations

Course Description

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

The course consists of the following sessions:

• Developing Tools for Effective Equity Conversations | Mandatory | 2 hours
• The Complexity of Change -- SCARF Threats | Mandatory | 2 hours
• Connecting Across Differences | Mandatory | 2 hours
• Mattering Matters -- Engaging All Employees | Mandatory | 2 hours

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

Target Audience

This program is designed for:

• School and district leaders
• Business and department leaders
• Nonprofit and community leaders
• HR, people managers, and team leads

Program Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will 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

Course Content Outline

The program is structured into four weeks:

Week I: Developing Tools for Effective Equity Conversations

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.

Week II: The Complexity of Change - SCARF Threats

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.

Week III: Connecting Across Differences

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.

Week IV: Mattering Matters -- Engaging 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.