Conversations in the Wild: The Art of Navigating Difficult Encounters

We face much uncertainty when we approach a stranger, friend, colleague, or a partner about difficult subjects--those scary or uncomfortable topics that are triggering, that can make us feel threatened in an instant, and can backfire, despite our best intentions. Such conversations are unpredictable. They feel volatile, ambiguous, and challenging. This class will provide you with frameworks and skills to approach such conversations with empathy, dexterity, and curiosity. Together we will pick apart damaging, defensive, communication habits and rebuild ways to quickly understand the needs of others and enter a collaborative dialog that keeps everyone's needs and perspectives intact. The goal is not to "win" a difficult conversation but to learn the art of shifting from acting with fear, avoidance, and defensiveness to listening with empathy, curiosity, and understanding. We engage challenging encounters with creative problem-solving. Admission by application. Visit dschool.stanford.edu/classes for more information.