Create change through dialogue (BPS Learn)
- Careers and professional development
About
Dialogue is an effective way to make change at work and in our wider lives. It is important for personal growth and mental wellbeing. Avoiding difficult conversations saps our energy, keeps us feeling stuck and blocks positive outcomes. Handling tricky conversations poorly lowers self-esteem, damages relationships and adversely affects performance.
Recent research suggests that in organisations 70% of managers avoid having difficult conversations. This leads to poor decision-making, a cynical atmosphere that rots communication, and people competing rather than collaborating. High performing teams don't get stuck in talking tough, talking nice or not talking at all. They find their way through conflict, undiscussables and avoidance and have the conversations that matter.
With employee activism and purpose-driven business on the rise, leaders need to learn how to talk about what's important. Whether it's a conversation about strategy, purpose, performance, mental health or equality, developing the capacity for dialogue leads to shared understanding, robust relationships and aligned action.
Sarah led workshops on Create Change through Dialogue for the British Psychological Society Division of Occupational Psychology between 2009 and 2015.
Target audience
Occupational psychologists and coaching psychologists are the key target participants. Psychologists who need to challenge others to think and act differently—whether to create a new vision, deliver a new strategy or cultivate a new culture—will benefit from participating.
Non-psychologists working in the areas of Learning and Development (L&D), Organisational development (OD), HR, coaching and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion will also find the workshop beneficial. The workshop will interest CEOs and senior leaders who want to take their organisation on a journey to become more purpose-led and respond effectively to the growing trend of employee activism. By engaging team members in energising conversations that are genuinely inclusive, leaders can create the sense of belonging that so many people seek in the workplace today.
There are no-pre-requisites in terms of knowledge or experience; trainee psychologists and students are welcome to attend.
Notes
- To register for the webinar: Click the 'register' button to book onto the workshop. You need to sign into your BPS user account or create a new account by clicking the 'create an account' button.
- Please click on the programme tab for information on preparation work required prior to the workshop.
- Special dietary requirements: When you have purchased your workshop place, please go the 'joining instructions' where there is a link to a dietary request form. Please submit this form when you register but at the very latest by 11:00 on 5 September 2022. Meat, vegetarian and fish options will be available as standard.
- Please also see the 'pricing' tab for note on cancellations and bookings deadline.
For more information, email [email protected]
Location
BPS London Office
30 Tabernacle Street
London
EC2A 4UE
Programme
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Practice using three active listening skills and explore how deeper listening is key to dialogue
- Understand how the dialogic processes of a 'check-in', 'check out' and 'go round' encourage conversational turn-taking and build psychological safety
- Understand how dialogue differs from monologue, debate and discussion by being more reflective and generative
- Identify their strengths and development areas so that they are better able to 'read the room' using four dialogic actions
- Learn about the key dialogic patterns in high performing teams that enable them to create an 'expansive emotional space'
- Raise awareness of the critical role that their inner dialogue plays in a conversation and identify ways to manage their inner critic more effectively
- Prepare for a difficult conversation by disrupting established patterns of behaviour and applying the tools that have been taught.
Pre-work
Participants will be asked to read two articles, watch a short video, reflect on some questions, make notes and bring them to the workshop. They will also have a chance to complete a 'left hand column' case (instructions and a sample case will be provided). The pre-work materials will be accessible in the 'resources' section in BPS Learn when you have booked your place on the workshop.
Post webinar materials
Participants will be provided with an article to read and a free download of four interventions to deepen dialogue in your team.
Presenter: Sarah Rozenthular CPsychol AFBPsS
Sarah Rozenthuler a chartered psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She is a leadership consultant, dialogue coach and published author with nearly 20 years international experience consulting to organizations around the world. Since 2009, Sarah has led workshops on Change through Dialogue including for the British Psychological Society, Church of England and Grant Thornton At Saïd Business School, Sarah teaches dialogue skills on the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme to groups of leaders from across the globe.
Sarah is the CEO of Bridgework, a consulting company she founded in 2007 to inspire leaders, empower teams and strengthen organisations to become a force for good in the world. Sarah is the author of Powered by Purpose: Energise Your People To Do Great Work and How to Have Meaningful Conversations: Seven Strategies for Talking About What Matters Most (Watkins, 2019). Sarah's work has been widely featured in the media including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Psychologies Magazine and BBC Business online.
Timetable
| 09:30-10:00 | Registration with refreshments |
| 10:00 | Workshop starts |
| 12:30-13:00 | Lunch (provided) |
| 16:30 | Workshop ends |
Price
| Non-member | £336.00 (£280.00 + VAT) |
| Society member | £201.60 (£168.00 + VAT) |
Please note: Online bookings will close at 10:30 06 September 2022.
Cancellations:
If you wish to cancel your place, we are unable to issue refunds 14 days or less prior to the workshop date.
If in the unlikely event we have to cancel or postpone an in-person workshop we will issue full refunds for your workshop fees. We do not reimburse travel costs and recommend you seek refunds from your travel provider.