Managing Difficult Conversations

This elective 2-unit course is designed for those who aspire to improve their ability to deal effectively with difficult professional and interpersonal conversations. The course is taught by William F. Meehan III, the Raccoon Partners Lecturer in Strategic Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Senior Partner Emeritus, McKinsey and Company. The course is case/vignette-based and classes usually include frequent role-playing in authentic business, entrepreneurial, professional (e.g, consulting, law, medicine, non-profits) and other difficult interactions as was as selected interpersonal situations. Outside guests with experience relevant to the vignette theme will often participate as our guests. All students are also asked to prepare their own vignette from their own actual professional or personal experience, which will be role-played during the course. Students will be expected to attend all classes unless excused in advance. Class preparation will include reading of assigned cases/vignettes; analysis of the cases/vignettes and recommendations as to how to confront specific difficult conversations (consistent with assigned study questions); and reading of assigned background material. All students are expected to participate actively in class role plays and discussions. Grading will be on a Pass/Fail basis. MBA's and MSx's are eligible to register.