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  • 1.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-07-2014 19:08
    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult conversations" in a few weeks. I'd love to hear suggestions regarding teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for you. Exercises? Videos? Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative
    Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management
    The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/


  • 2.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-07-2014 23:14
    Hello Katherine,

    I've used the following two articles to create exercises on managing
    difficult conversations when I've taught exec ed. I hope you find them
    useful.

    Weeks, H. (2001). Taking the stress out of stressful conversations. Harvard
    Business Review, 79(7), 112-119.

    Mulvey, P., Veiga, J. F., & Elsass, P. (1996). When teammates raise a white
    flag. Academy of Management Executive, 10(1), 40-49

    OHIV
    --
    Oscar Holmes IV, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Management
    Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    School of Business
    227 Penn Street
    Camden, NJ 08102
    BSB 332
    Email: Oscar.HolmesIV@Rutgers.edu
    P: 856-225-6593
    F: 856-225-6231
    http://business.camden.rutgers.edu/faculty-profiles/hr/holmes/
    "Jersey Roots, Global Reach"


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv
    [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Klein, Katherine
    Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 7:08 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: [OB-LIST] Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult
    conversations" in a few weeks. I'd love to hear suggestions regarding
    teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for
    you. Exercises? Videos? Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative Edward H. Bowman Professor of
    Management The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
    19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/


  • 3.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-08-2014 10:16
    Hi Katherine,

    A few years ago for a graduate class, I used the book "Difficult Conversations" by Stone, Patton, and Heen. The students and I loved it - it's very practical and easy to follow. If you don't have time to assign the entire book, you could pull out some of sample conversations in the book to use as role plays.

    Here at TCU, many of my colleagues use "Crucial Conversations" and "Crucial Confrontations" by Patterson, Grenny, and MacMillan. The points are similar to Difficult Conversations book, but the teaching material for these includes tons of videos and a workbook. These bring the material to life and help to guide the class discussion. The only problem is that you might have trouble covering this in a two-hour session - there is a lot of good stuff!

    Regardless of which materials you use, my experience has been that people don't see their own tendencies until they actually hold one of these conversations. So it's essential to use role plays and/or assignments such as writing about a conversation that happens outside of class (e.g., what did you do well and what could you improve based on what we're learning). Only with repeated practice will they start to see their own weaknesses and how they can improve.

    Good luck,
    Abbie


    Abbie J. Shipp, Ph.D.
    Associate Professor of Management
    Neeley School of Business
    Texas Christian University
    Dan Rogers 368
    Fort Worth, TX 76129
    817-257-7558 office
    817-257-7227 fax
    a.shipp@tcu.edu
    Follow me on twitter: @prof_abbieshipp




    -----Original Message-----
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Klein, Katherine
    Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 7:08 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: [OB-LIST] Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult conversations" in a few weeks. I'd love to hear suggestions regarding teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for you. Exercises? Videos? Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
    19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/


  • 4.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-08-2014 00:22
    Dear Kathryn:  The September, 2006 HBR article by Robin Ely, Debra Meyerson and Martin Davidson "Rethinking Political Correctiness" outlines concrete steps to take in relationships and conversations across difference to stay engaged - it offers an important way to address the diversity issues in difficult conversations. I find it helpful in my workshops with clients who are looking for guidance about how to step toward rather than away at those "sandpaper moments".

    Yours,

    Heather Wishik
    President Heather Wishik Consulting, LLC
    212 Cityside Drive #51
    Montpelier, VT 05602 USA
    +1 508-685-6886

    On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:08 PM, Klein, Katherine <kleink@wharton.upenn.edu> wrote:
    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult conversations" in a few weeks.  I'd love to hear suggestions regarding teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for you.  Exercises?  Videos?  Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative
    Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management
    The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/






  • 5.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-11-2014 14:42

    Katherine,

     

    You might be able to use the video lecture about language (the link below) as an ice-breaker to get students to come up with their own examples about difficult conversations!

     

    RSA Animate - Language as a Window into Human Nature

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-son3EJTrU&feature=relmfu

     

    Thanks

    Ivan

     

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Heather Wishik
    Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 11:22 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Re: [OB-LIST] Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

     

    Dear Kathryn:  The September, 2006 HBR article by Robin Ely, Debra Meyerson and Martin Davidson "Rethinking Political Correctiness" outlines concrete steps to take in relationships and conversations across difference to stay engaged - it offers an important way to address the diversity issues in difficult conversations. I find it helpful in my workshops with clients who are looking for guidance about how to step toward rather than away at those "sandpaper moments".

     

    Yours,

     

    Heather Wishik

    President Heather Wishik Consulting, LLC

    212 Cityside Drive #51

    Montpelier, VT 05602 USA

    +1 508-685-6886

     

    On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:08 PM, Klein, Katherine <kleink@wharton.upenn.edu> wrote:

    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult conversations" in a few weeks.  I'd love to hear suggestions regarding teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for you.  Exercises?  Videos?  Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative
    Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management
    The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/



     

     



  • 6.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-11-2014 23:20

    Hi Katherine et al., 

    I've always liked the Tongue Fu book by Sam Horn. Here are some associated materials. 





    On Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 1:41 PM, Blanco, R Ivan <rb39@txstate.edu> wrote:

    Katherine,

     

    You might be able to use the video lecture about language (the link below) as an ice-breaker to get students to come up with their own examples about difficult conversations!

     

    RSA Animate - Language as a Window into Human Nature

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-son3EJTrU&feature=relmfu

     

    Thanks

    Ivan

     

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Heather Wishik
    Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 11:22 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Re: [OB-LIST] Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

     

    Dear Kathryn:  The September, 2006 HBR article by Robin Ely, Debra Meyerson and Martin Davidson "Rethinking Political Correctiness" outlines concrete steps to take in relationships and conversations across difference to stay engaged - it offers an important way to address the diversity issues in difficult conversations. I find it helpful in my workshops with clients who are looking for guidance about how to step toward rather than away at those "sandpaper moments".

     

    Yours,

     

    Heather Wishik

    President Heather Wishik Consulting, LLC

    212 Cityside Drive #51

    Montpelier, VT 05602 USA

     

    On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:08 PM, Klein, Katherine <kleink@wharton.upenn.edu> wrote:

    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult conversations" in a few weeks.  I'd love to hear suggestions regarding teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for you.  Exercises?  Videos?  Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative
    Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management
    The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/



     

     




  • 7.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-08-2014 01:10

    Dear Katherine:

    To teach negotiation, my former student Dina Nir and I, use our jointly developed theory of negotiation within the self. Next is an abstract of our work (under review). This theory/research is accompanied by a method to increase the use of integrative solution. We experience that this method appeals to students, because a win-lose strategy means not that you make your opponent lose, but you lose addressing your own needs.  If it is of interest to you I suggest you write to Dina (she may not be an AoM member) and ask for the training materials.

    Best

    Avi

    Making Decisions that make us Happy

    May, 2014

    Dina Nir (Corresponding author) – Faculty of Business Administration – Ono Academic College – Zahal 104 St. – Kiryat Ono,55000, ISRAEL; E-mail: dnir@ono.ac.il 

    Avraham N. Kluger – The Jerusalem School of Business administration – The Hebrew University-Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, 91905, Israel. E-mail: avik@savion.huji.ac.il

    Abstract

    This paper demonstrates that both situational and chronic wellbeing are linked to everyday decision making. We introduce the concept of distributive and integrative decisions as drivers of happiness, and suggest that decisions that resolve every day inner conflicts and dilemmas vary from low Decision Integration (DI)-decisions that satisfy some aspects of the conflict while other aspects remain lacking and unfulfilled -to high DI-integrative decisions that simultaneously satisfy opposing aspects and consequently enhance wellbeing. Study 1 (N= 275) shows that DI can be measured reliably by independent judges across different types of conflicts, and that DI correlates with situational wellbeing. Study 2 (N= 182) demonstrates that DI correlates with multiple measures of general wellbeing. Moreover, the standardized latent paths were .21 from general wellbeing to DI, and .87 from DI to situational wellbeing. One implication of this work is that training people to improve their DI may increase wellbeing.



  • 8.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-09-2014 12:19
    Dear Dr. Klein:

    Here is a list of possibilities that might be helpful. Also, a constructivistic paradigm seems most appropriate given the built-in flexibility to adjust strategies as new information becomes available. Since the class deals with difficult conversation, it is to be expected to that difficult conversations will surface that may call for some amount of adjustments. You may want to check YouTube for video ideas to fit what your needs assessment revealed. I taught a class on Training and Development and used Youtube videos that were very effective. The videos were short and varied and were proven to be potent enough to convey the required messages.       
     
    Dennen*, V. P. (2005). From message posting to learning dialogues: Factors affecting learner participation in asynchronous discussion. Distance Education,26(1), 127-148. Though this is for an online line situation, it may have relevance in face-to-face interaction as well. 

    Mirvis, P. (2008). Executive development through consciousness-raising experiences. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 7(2), 173-188.

    Herrington, J., & Oliver, R. (2000). An instructional design framework for authentic learning environments. Educational technology research and development, 48(3), 23-48.

    Honebein, P. C., Duffy, T. M., & Fishman, B. J. (1993). Constructivism and the design of learning environments: Context and authentic activities for learning. In Designing environments for constructive learning (pp. 87-108). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

    Hope these are helpful.


    Very best regards, 


    Earl 


    On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:08 PM, Klein, Katherine <kleink@wharton.upenn.edu> wrote:
    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult conversations" in a few weeks.  I'd love to hear suggestions regarding teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for you.  Exercises?  Videos?  Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative
    Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management
    The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/



    --
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    HETL Liaisons to Trinidad 
    Ph: (868) 775-3535
    Skype: harewood7
     
         Helping leaders lead and workers work differently in work
     

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  • 9.  Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Posted 08-11-2014 05:38
    Hi Katherine

    I see you've had lots of good suggestions. I would only add that I teach this using the technique of decentring (a kind of perspective taking) as outlined in my new book, The 'I' of Leadership: Strategies for seeing, being and doing (Jossey Bass, 2013) and earlier in my HBR on "How to motivate your problem people" (Jan 2003). Good luck and best wishes

    Nigel

    Nigel Nicholson
    Professor
    Department of Organisational Behaviour
    London Business School
    Regent's Park
    London NW1 4SA
    U.K.

    See website http://www.iofleadership.com. You can also follow me @IofLeadership 

    tel:  (office: direct line)
             "    "  "  7000-7000 (switchboard)
    fax:    "    "  "  7000-7001
    cell phone " (0) 797-439-6625
    (see website: http://faculty.london.edu/nnicholson)
     
    For appointments please contact my assistant, Patti Luong on +44(0)20 7000 8912  pluong@london.edu


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Klein, Katherine
    Sent: 08 August 2014 00:08
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: [OB-LIST] Teaching "Difficult Conversations"

    Hi All,

    I'll be teaching a 2-hour executive education session on "difficult conversations" in a few weeks. I'd love to hear suggestions regarding teaching strategies for this topic and skillset that have worked well for you. Exercises? Videos? Other suggestions?

    My thanks in advance,

    Katherine

    ____________________________________________
    Katherine J. Klein
    Vice-Dean, Wharton Social Impact Initiative Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management The Wharton School
    3620 Locust Walk (SHDH 2000), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
    (O) 215/898-6352; (C) 202/491-7177
    http://socialimpact.wharton.upenn.edu/