Tips & Tricks for Succeeding at Challenging Conversations


Diane A Ross
Free Seminar, Please RSVP

March 8, 2011 (Vancouver General Hospital)

Please register early to ensure event is not canceled.





Program Summary:
Most of us feel anxious and uncomfortable when we think about: having to deal with a non-performing team member; delivering difficult news; confronting disrespectful behaviour; or saying “No” to a client, colleague or boss, yet we are faced with having these kinds of challenging conversations on a regular basis. Our ability to handle these conversations well is one of the most important competencies we need to be effective, and to build trust and respect in our organizations. In this session, you will learn some tools and skills and be given a framework to prepare for and manage your most challenging conversations.

You Will Learn:
To evaluate what is at “stake” and whether you need to engage in a particular conversation
To identify what doesn’t work and why when it comes to challenging conversations
A framework to prepare for Challenging Conversations
Skills to navigate Challenging Conversations
How to manage strong emotional reactions to keep conversations on track

Presenter Bio:
Diane is an experienced speaker, facilitator and executive coach. She also trained as a mediator at Harvard Law School. Diane works with leaders, managers and professionals helping them to succeed in their challenging conversations and negotiations. She provides keynote presentations, customized workshops, team building sessions, and executive coaching. Diane has a no-nonsense style that allows her to truly engage with clients and to challenge assumptions and foster personal growth. Diane made the transition from litigation lawyer to consultant in 2004.

By way of background Diane has extensive knowledge and training including 14 years working as a litigation lawyer, a certified executive coach designation from Royal Roads University and training at Harvard Law School’s Program of Instruction for Lawyers in Advanced Negotiations: Managing Difficult Conversations and Mediation. Diane graduated from UBC in 1989 with combined B.Comm (honours) and law degrees.

Diane is currently a non-practicing lawyer with the Law Society of British Columbia, a member of the Canadian Bar Association, and a member of the Women’s Executive Network.
Diane has worked with clients in both the public and the private sector. Her clients include but are not limited to British Columbia Institute of Technology (“BCIT”), B.C. Assessment Authority, School District #68, Best Busy Canada Ltd., College of Licensed Practical Nurses of B.C., The British Columbia Human Resource Management Association (“BCHRMA”), Department of Justice of Canada-B.C. Region, BC Leadership Centre, Yukon Government-Executive Council Office, Certified General Accountants

Association of B.C., Ministry of Attorney General-Criminal Justice Branch, Amber Education Services Ltd, and North Island Employment Foundations Society, as well as a number of law firms. Diane has also presented at the Local Government Management Association Conference, Western Cities Conference, the Woman Lawyers Forum, and the Canadian Bar Association-Alternate Dispute Resolution Subsection.

Who Should Attend:
This workshop is open to all AAPS members

The session is ideally suited for those who are in supervisory or management positions. However, the skills and framework learned are beneficial to anyone who would like to improve their ability to engage in challenging conversations in either their professional or personal life.

Program Information:
March 8, 2011
11:30am-1:00pm

Vancouver General Hospital
Diamond Health Centre
2775 Laurel St (view location map)
9th Floor, Rm DHCC9299

To Register:
Simply send an email to aaps.pd@ubc.ca with the event name and location in the subject line.