Crucial Conversations Training

Two people having a conversation

Crucial Conversations training provides proven tools for navigating high-stakes conversations, managing accountability, reducing tension, and building stronger workplace relationships. Participants learn practical skills to communicate effectively when it matters most.

Register for an upcoming session and strengthen your ability to navigate difficult conversations successfully.

Upcoming Sessions


What You'll Learn

  • Professional development training focused on communication, collaboration, and workplace relationships. 
  • Two learning pathways:  
    • Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue
    • Crucial Conversations for Accountability
  • Available as instructor-led virtual or in-person sessions. 
  • Includes optional follow-up add-on courses for participants who want to deepen and extend their learning. 

Who Should Attend

  • Officers of Administration 
  • Classified Employees 
  • Faculty Members 
  • Graduate Employees 
  • Supervisors and Managers 
  • Team Leads and Project Leads 
  • Individuals seeking to improve communication, collaboration, and conflict-management skills 

Learning Pathways

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue

Tested techniques for navigating conversations where opinions differ, emotions are strong, and important outcomes are at stake.You will learn how to:

  • Recognize conversations that stall progress or create conflict. 
  • Create safety and reduce defensiveness during difficult discussions. 
  • Surface differing perspectives and foster mutual understanding. 
  • Hold productive conversations that strengthen relationships and improve results. 

Crucial Conversations for Accountability

Offers practical communication skills for addressing gaps between expectations and performance.You will learn how to: 

  • Hold effective coaching conversations. 
  • Address behavior and performance challenges respectfully and directly. 
  • Help others identify goals and develop plans for success. 
  • Get conversations back on track when expectations are not being met. 
  • Foster accountability while maintaining positive working relationships. 

Add-On Learning Opportunities

Expand your learning after completing a foundational Crucial Conversations course with:

  • Mastering Dialogue Add-On: Deepen dialogue skills by recognizing when people are leaving dialogue, finding common ground, actively listening for underlying concerns, and responding effectively during difficult conversations.
  • Accountability Add-On: Explore the six sources of influence to understand gaps in performance, strategies for overcoming barriers, and types of motivation and consequences.

How the Courses Fit Together

Participants may begin with either Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue or Crucial Conversations for Accountability. After completing a foundational course, you can continue your development through the alternate foundational course or a corresponding add-on learning opportunity.


Upcoming Sessions

Foundational Course

Registration

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue, Instructor Led, In Person Course, January 2027

Session 1: Thursday, January 21, 2027, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Session 2: Thursday, January 28, 2027, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Register Here

Crucial Conversations for Accountability, Instructor Led, In Person Course, April 2027

Session 1: Tuesday, April 13, 2027, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Session 2: Tuesday, April 20, 2027, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Register here

Add-on Sessions

Registration

Crucial Conversations for Accountability Add-On, In Person, October 2026
This course has a prerequisite of Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue.

Session date: Thursday, October 27, 2026, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Register here

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue Add-On, In Person, May 2027
This course has a prerequisite of Crucial Conversations for Accountability.

Session date: Thursday, May 13, 2027, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

Register here


Registration Information

  • A minimum of 9 participants is required. Sessions may be rescheduled if enrollment does not meet the minimum. 
  • There is a $250 materials fee for each foundational crucial conversations course and a $150 materials fee for an add-on course. Participants will receive course materials and resources as part of the fee. 
  • The Professional Development Opportunity Fund may be a resource available to you to cover the fee for a course.

Questions?

Please contact the Learning and Development team at learning@uoregon.edu with any questions.