Description

Agenda: Feb 20^th & 21^st
•8:30am breakfast/networking
•9:00am Workshop begins
•12pm-1pm Lunch
•4:00pm Workshop Ends 

In this 2-day workshop series on De-escalation Skills and Difficult Conversations, Sara Jeckovich from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems will introduce practical and easy to remember techniques to help you and your team enhance your skills in navigating conflict. For leaders, individuals and teams looking to enhance their skill set with regards to responding to escalated behavior and challenging conversations, this workshop series will leave you with the tools and techniques that you can put to practice right away. Both sessions will utilize real-life examples stemming from participants, incorporating self-reflection, small group discussions and role-play practice. 

Participants will receive take home content packets for both sessions. In addition, course registration will include free 90-day access to Pollack Peacebuilding Systems’ asynchronous “De-escalation Skills” and “Giving & Receiving Feedback” training for ongoing reinforcement and reference. See below for more details on this workshop series: 

Day 1: De-escalation Skills; Preparations & Technique
All of us are occasionally presented with unpredictable situations that could feel overwhelming or dangerous. Emotions understandably run high when you feel that your needs, feelings, or safety or the safety of those around you is in jeopardy. This workshop teaches clear and straightforward tactics that can be practiced and easily recalled in stressful situations. The skills are easy to remember, and practicing them when you don’t need them can sharpen your ability to implement them when you do. 

This de-escalation training workshop helps those who face emotionally triggered individuals regularly or those who want to be prepared in the event of a unique, stressful situation. The workshop provides you with the following conflict resolution and de-escalation skills: 

- Recognizing early warning signs of aggressive behavior before it escalates
- Managing your own emotional needs and how to remain safe
- Slowing down intense emotional reactivity
- Techniques for calming individuals and oneself
- Utilizing the proper tone and phrasing to de-escalate the situation
- Handling intense situations with the priority of keeping everyone involved as safe as possible 

Day 2: Difficult Conversations; Giving & Receiving Feedback
When it comes to having a difficult conversation with someone, it entails the willingness to both give and receive feedback that just might cause some emotional distress. Feedback is something we all give and receive on a regular basis, and there's often an inherent tension in doing so. Did this person understand our main intentions? Did we come across harsh or judgemental? And, are there actionable takeaways and changes that result from giving this feedback? And on the receiving end, what is this person truly intending? Are they trying to attack me? What makes their version right? What makes mine? In this workshop, we will build off of our de-escalation skills workshop, and explore some of the deeper cognitive biases that often play a role during difficult conversations. You will be introduced to an easy to remember process for having these conversations that provides a pathway for change, and practice using some relevant experiences to your unique working environment. These competencies of giving and receiving effective feedback build trust, improve performance, and promote a more peaceful and productive workplace. 

This session will provide participants with the following takeaways:

• How to peacefully give feedback on challenging ideas.
• How to give effective feedback on troubling behavior or language.
• How to initiate and effectively lead a difficult conversation.
• How to constructively receive feedback that challenges your thoughts or beliefs.
• Increase rapport and collaboration across people and departments.
• Set clear expectations and hold people accountable peacefully.

COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS: By attending this event, all participants are expected to abide by these, BOULDER CHAMBER Community Agreements and Code of Conduct.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUTING: The BOULDER CHAMBER and Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections (BCTC) encourage you to use sustainable transportation options to get to Chamber events! Learn more about transportation options in Boulder and how BCTC can help employers encourage their employees to commute sustainably, on the BCTC website or by emailing us at transportation@boulderchamber.com. BCTC promotes transportation choices that are efficient & sustainable and enhance the Boulder community as a great place to live, work, & play.

PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE: By attending this event, photographs and videos of the event and individuals will be public and possibly used on future marketing for the BOULDER CHAMBER and its associates.

NOTE: The opinions and information provided by the BOULDER CHAMBER event speakers are strictly those of the speakers. The BOULDER CHAMBER does not necessarily endorse their opinions and has not independently verified the information presented.