5 tips for navigating tough conversations this fall.

Plus: Learn how to navigate burnout, our virtual effective facilitation offering, and book a call with us for Spring 2025.

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Nicole Cardoza
October 15, 2024

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Hi everyone! We’re now accepting new proposals from clients for Spring 2025 (work beginning in April). Here’s some of my favorite work so far:

  • Created a conflict competency series teaching executive leaders how to approach difficult conversations with care

  • Built a white-label Effective Facilitation space for a scaled nonprofit organization to practice together

  • Designed and facilitated learning series for a dozen organizations to power their professional development, with curated tracks based on employees' familiarity with the topics

  • Led over forty Difficult Conversations series at workplaces, holding space for divisive viewpoints and fostering nuanced, constructive dialogues

  • Provided a cross-cultural analysis for a growing startup on inclusivity in their workplace and discovering to the key values shared across stakeholders

I’d love to hear from you!

Founder, Lead Facilitator

Election season can turn even the most harmonious workplace into a potential minefield. As leaders, we're tasked with keeping our teams focused and united while respecting individual beliefs. Here are five practical strategies I've seen work well in my years of managing diverse teams through politically charged times:

1. Set the Ground Rules Early

Don't wait for tensions to flare up. Gather your team and have an upfront discussion about expectations. Make it clear that while you respect everyone's right to their views, the workplace needs to remain professional. I've found that acknowledging the elephant in the room - yes, elections are important and yes, people have strong feelings - actually helps defuse potential conflicts before they start.

2. Create Outlets for Discussion

People need to talk, especially about issues they care about deeply. Consider setting up optional forums for political discussions, like lunch sessions or after-work meet-ups. By providing a specific time and place for these conversations, you're acknowledging their importance while keeping them from dominating the workday. Just be sure to establish some ground rules to keep things civil.

3. Refocus on Shared Goals

When debates do heat up, try steering the conversation back to common ground. Remind your team of the mission that unites you all at work. I've often found that asking, "How can we channel this passion into our work?" can transform a potential argument into a productive brainstorming session.

Effective Facilitation (self-paced)

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This workshop teaches practical techniques for leading inclusive workplace discussions and difficult conversations. Participants will learn and practice skills to create equitable environments through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies.
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Conflict Evolution

Tuesday, November 12 | 3-5p EST
Go beyond conflict resolution and apply a culturally-responsive, inclusive framework to navigating challenging conversations, mediating tense scenarios, and fostering understanding with opposing viewpoints.
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Power + Privilege

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Dissect power, privilege and their application in the workplace, and apply tangible tools and skills to promote allyship and foster a greater sense of belonging.
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