Speaking Out & Having Courageous Conversations
Available As:
In-House Training
- Face-to-face (<15 people)
- Live Virtual (<15 people)
- Conferences and events (<500 people)
- With or without actors
- Fully customisable
Speaking Out & Courageous Conversations
Encouraging a culture of speaking out results in happier, more harmonious, and productive working environments. Bullying and harassment no longer hides behind the guise of ‘banter’; issues can be nipped in the bud informally between colleagues; and open, honest conversations allow for diversity of thought. However, it can be difficult to let someone know when they have done or said something that has upset or offended us in a way that minimises conflict.
Being able to embrace feedback ourselves is, for many, something which requires practice. This interactive and practical workshop develops skills and confidence regarding when to speak out and how to engage positively in what can sometimes be difficult conversations. It offers easily implementable techniques to deal with and speak out against anything inappropriate, in a constructive and confident way.
Objectives Overview
Time for reflection
Group activity on when a speaking out discussion went well, or when a discussion that should have happened was avoided. What were the consequences and impact? Individual examples of speaking out / not speaking out
The importance of speaking out in an inclusive environment
Group learning activity to explore: What is the link between diversity and inclusion, and having courageous conversations? What are the challenges of managing these issues within the workplace? How do we justify to ourselves it is ok to keep quiet?
Knowing the difference between discrimination, harassment, bullying and banter
How do we define bullying and harassment? How do they differ from banter? When does a behaviour become unacceptable to those on the receiving end and those in the vicinity? Group discussion, trainer input and Menti activity
When and how to challenge
When and how to challenge inappropriate behaviour in a sensitive, positive, and constructive manner. What are the consequences of doing nothing and standing by? Case studies to explore a range of situations which attendees may recognise. What would you do / say if you were in hear shot of this situation? (These case studies can be specific to the organisation and focus on the Protected Characteristics, or can focus on situations beyond the Protected Characteristics)
A tool to promote change
The Three Step Technique: we share a simple and effective way to deal constructively with inappropriate comments and behaviours. Group discussion on how we deal with any pushback, or negative reactions to our feedback.
The importance of being assertive
We explore the differences between delivering the feedback in a passive, aggressive or assertive manner and how being assertive can give our message authority and weight.
Assertive communication and body language
How by using the right words and assertive body language we can support our message to be clear and fully explained. Attendees will be given an opportunity to practice the three different behaviours and understand how it feels to be assertive
Broken record technique
Simple technique to use if the feedback is rejected or the negative behaviour persists. Group discussion
Video case study: sexual harassment
Attendees watch a video case study of inappropriate behaviour which centres on sexual harassment of a young man.
Practical application and feedback
Putting the Three Step Technique into practice. The group works together in smaller groups to practice applying the Three Step technique and assertive behaviours to the sexual harassment case study. Review and discussion
Action planning
Developing and sharing personal action plans. To seek a commitment from each attendee they will do something which is tangible to bring the learning to life
Let's Talk!
We’re advocates of crafting tailormade solutions that ensure you meet objectives and maximise budgets. Contact us to book a meeting to scope the right solution for your organisation, together.
What About Actors?
Through clever script writing, goose-bump inducing delivery and professional facilitation we can bring so much to life. We stimulate emotion, penetrate the long-term memory and create lasting change.
When we use live drama, we are able to have the actors play out the scenario and then be hot seated for the audience to ask them questions whilst they remain in character. Hot seating works so well because actors work with a pre-rehearsed backstory, so they are able to respond in character. They progressively reveal unexpected elements of their story that will not have previously been told. It can bust assumptions that the audience might have made based on the scenario (situation) but not fully understanding the impact at first sight.
Using actors in this programme enables us to bring to:
- Bring both the subtle, and not so subtle, inappropriate behaviours to life, literally
- Provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the fine line between what is and isn’t acceptable
- Give attendees a chance to challenge the actors whilst they are still in character
- Demonstrate that things aren’t always what they seem at first glance
- Provide delegates with an opportunity to test out alternative ways of approaching what can often be sensitive situations
- Create a goosebump-inducing learning experience that sticks in the long-term memory
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Nina Darling
UoP SHCP Teaching Fellow, University of Portsmouth“The course which Paula provided was really engaging and nicely presented. The use of the actors was particularly good and actually bought the whole thing to life and made it really valuable learning. Thank you very much – it was fantastic!”
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