Program

Even experienced practitioners encounter moments when a conversation takes an unexpected turn, someone becomes defensive, or a familiar intervention doesn't produce the anticipated response. What matters more: having the right conversational skills or knowing when to use them? Professional coaches invest considerable time developing their listening, questioning, empathy and challenging skills. Yet knowing how to use these capabilities is not quite the same as recognizing when a particular conversation needs them. What happens next can make a significant difference.

This interactive workshop explores conversational versatility: recognising what's happening in a conversation and adapting our approach. Using the Conversation Compass, participants will explore how greater awareness and more deliberate choices can help navigate challenging moments, strengthen relationships and support meaningful progress. Rather than introducing more techniques, the workshop invites you to reconsider how you use the skills you already possess.

Who is this workshop for?

Good conversations matter wherever people work together. Although the workshop uses a coaching scenario, conversational versatility matters to coaches, mentors, supervisors, leaders, managers, and HR/L&D professionals.

Whether you're supporting a client, mentoring a colleague or leading a team, recognising when to change your approach can make a difference. We welcome both emerging and experienced practitioners to an experiential workshop, not a presentation!

Before attending, you'll be invited to complete an optional short reflection exploring your conversational preferences.

During the workshop, you'll work in groups of three on an unfolding coaching scenario. As new information emerges, you'll reconsider your interpretations, discuss possible interventions and experiment with alternative approaches.

There are no universally correct responses. The challenge is to remain curious about different possibilities.

You'll then discover the Conversation Compass, a practical framework to help you navigate your choices.

The emphasis is on discovery, peer learning and practical application.

What will you take away?

• Greater awareness of your conversational preferences and how they shape your responses.
• A practical framework for recognising what a conversation needs.
• First-hand experience of conversational versatility through experimentation.
• Fresh perspectives gained through reflection and peer exchange.
• A tool to help others navigate important conversations.

Participants will also be invited to access complimentary online learning resources to revisit their insights and continue applying what they've learned.